Five matches to watch on day six at French Open
PARIS: Five matches to watch on day six at the French Open on Friday:
Nadal eyes another bashing
Rafael Nadal looks in formidable form as he hunts a record 10th Roland Garros title. The Spaniard romped through his first two matches without dropping a set while Georgian opponent Nikoloz Basilashvili has matched his best run at a Grand Slam by reached the third round. Nadal, a winner in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid this year, remains on his guard though. "The opponent is always dangerous, because this is Roland Garros. It's the French Open. I need to focus on winning," said the fourth seed.
Head-to-head: First meeting
Schwartzman holds no fears for Djokovic
It's been fairly routine for Novak Djokovic through the first two rounds and the defending champion is unlikely to face too many problems from Argentina's Diego Schwartzman. The world number 41 is through to the last 32 of a major for the first time but was comprehensively swept aside when the pair met at the 2014 US Open, their only previous meeting. "I think I reached the stage of my life where I just need to find always new ways of motivating myself, inspiring myself, and having (Andre) Agassi on board and doing some changes is definitely bringing me that," said Djokovic, who is working with the American for the first time at this tournament.
Head-to-head: Djokovic leads 1-0
Muguruza taking fight to Putintseva
Reigning champion Garbine Muguruza survived a second-round scare against Anett Kontaveit, but the Spaniard isn't frightened of failure. Kazakh 27th seed Putintseva enjoyed her best Grand Slam performance in Paris last year when she made the quarter-finals. "I'm going to try to go for her. I'm not gonna change my game. I'm going to be looking forward to play the match. Not be afraid of a new adventure out there," said Muguruza.
Head-to-head: Muguruza leads 1-0
Grieving Johnson meets contender Thiem
Dominic Thiem is the only player to beat Rafael Nadal on clay this season and is one of just a few players who appear able to rival the Spaniard or Djokovic in Paris, having reached last year's semi-finals. Steve Johnson lost his father in May and has suffered a rollercoaster of emotions at Roland Garros, weeping openly after defeating Borna Coric in the second round. "You know, my dad he was such a big part of my tennis life, just an emotional time. Yeah, it's not about tennis right now," Johnson said earlier in the week.
Head-to-head: Thiem leads 1-0
Jabeur's luck to continue?
Ons Jabeur became the first Arab woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam when she dumped out Slovak sixth seed Dominika Cibulkova. The Tunisian only made it into the main draw as a lucky loser after Laura Siegemund pulled out, but the 22-year-old former Roland Garros junior champion is taking full advantage of her good fortune. Swiss 30th seed Timea Bacsinszky, a semi-finalist in Paris two years ago, stands between her and the last 16. Dutchwoman Nicole Jagerman in 1988 remains the only lucky loser to make the last 16 at the French Open.
Head-to-head: Bacsinszky leads 1-0