Rafael Nadal wants to do the second week of the French Open when he faces the Botic van de Zandschulp on the 6th at Roland Garros. We have predictions for every match on the 6th in Paris, including Novak Djokovic’s third round match.
Botic van de Zandschulp vs Rafael Nadal
Damian Kust: Bands van de Zandschulp’s game is very complete now and it’s a bit unfortunate that the Dutchman faces Rafael Nadal here. Two games into his campaign in Paris, the Spaniard has looked rather majestic (albeit against a weaker opposition ranging from Zandschulp). The foot has not acted and this is a very good sign. Christmas at 3
Jakub Bobro: Nadal has not had any problems at Roland Garros this year, as he has only lost 14 games in his matches against Jordan Thompson and Corentin Moutet. He will now have a stronger test against Van De Zandschulp, who has also looked very good. This is going to be a tougher match for Christmas, but in the end I don’t see the Dutchman facing off here. Christmas at 4
Grigor Dimitrov vs. Diego Schwartzman
Damian; Diego Schwartzman returned from two sets to fall in love with Jaume Munar, while Grigor Dimitrov has barely lost games so far (10 in 6 sets). The Bulgarian is doing very well this clay court season, losing in the semifinals in Monte Carlo and then three times in a row only against Stefanos Tsitsipas. In terms of form, he has an advantage, although the Argentine is usually the best player on the surface. Dimitrov in 5
Jakub: Schwartzman has faced some adversity in his career here, dropping one set to Andrey Kuznetsov and two sets to Jaume Munar. Dimitrov has been incredible so far, losing just ten games in six sets against Marcos Giron and Borna Coric. The Bulgarian beat Schwartzman in an equally impressive way in Madrid this year, and while I don’t think it’s that kind of defeat, I see Dimitrov winning here. Dimitrov in 4
Alexander Zverev vs. Brandon Nakashima
Damian: That’s where I admit to underestimating how good Brandon Nakashima can already be on clay. The American has made rapid progress on earth compared to where he was the previous two years. Still, discomfort like this is probably not happening. Alexander Zverev’s tight victory over Sebastian Baez should only help calm him down in the final stages. Zverev in 4
Jakub: Nakashima pleasantly surprised with a direct set victory over Tallon Griekspoor, but now that Zverev had his mandatory five-set match in the first round against Sebastian Baez, I hope the German is more focused from the start. The American has talent, but I don’t see him doing that upset here. Zverev in 4
Cameron Norrie v. Karen Khachanov
Damian: Cameron Norrie is already thinking about fighting Carlos Alcaraz again in the fourth round, but that’s no guarantee. Karen Khachanov is very strong physically and should be able to exchange blows with him in the format of the best of five. The Briton has this right topspin right, which he will try to use to keep pushing the Russian behind the bottom line. Hard call. Norrie and 5
Jakub: Norrie is still looking for his first appearance in the second week and seems well prepared to do so, reaching this third round with a streak of six straight wins. The Briton won the title in Lyon and has not been threatened by Manuel Guinard or Jason Kubler in his first two rounds here. He should be the favorite against Khachanov, who fell a set against both Nuno Borges and Hugo Dellien. Norrie leads the match 3-2, winning the previous two clay court meetings, so I see him finally reaching the fourth round of his first race. Norrie and 4
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