French Open day 6: Five Friday tips from third round fixtures
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | May 26, 2016
2016 French Open day six
- Friday, May 27th
- First matches scheduled on court: 10:00 BST
- Roland Garros, Paris
- Live on ITV4 and Eurosport
Murray and Halep highlight Friday’s action
What a thrilling and unpredictable 2016 French Open it has been so far, as defending champion Stan Wawrinka and second seed Andy Murray have been pushed all the way by lesser opposition, while seeds have tumbled.
Read on to find out Coral’s five top tips for day six (Friday), which largely sees third round fixtures, at the Roland Garros event…
Murray to win first set 7-6 v Karlovic
Murray has certainly rode his luck so far this tournament, scraping past veteran Radek Stepanek and then French wildcard Mathias Bourgue in five sets, but his next opponent Ivo Karlovic was taken all the way last time out too.
The Scot has beaten the giant Croatian in all six of their meetings, and has claimed the first set 7-6 in half of those. So, back him at an enticing 3/1 to do so once again.
Safarova to edge Stosur in three sets
Seeded duo and former French Open finalists Lucie Safarova and Sam Stosur have faced each other 14 times to date throughout their careers, so know each other well on the court.
The Czech star, runner-up here last year, has won 11 of those meetings, while three of their last four duels have gone to three sets including once on clay, so back Safarova to win 2-1 again at 11/4.
Gasquet to see off Kyrgios in straight sets
Coral rate controversial Australian as the slight favourite for this match-up, despite home hope Richard Gasquet having come out on top in four of their six encounters and both on clay.
Both those head-to-heads have been won in straight sets, so the former French prodigy is 4/1 for a 3-0 victory.
Halep to defeat Osaka 2-1
Both Romania’s finest Simona Halep and Japanese teenage wonder Naomi Osaka have comfortably made it through their opening two ties, and now lock horns for the first time.
The far more experienced Halep is the clear favourite for this clash, though might not have it all her way and so is 3/1 to triumph 2-1.
Simon to smash Troicki 3-0
Both Gilles Simon and Viktor Troicki are a similar age and ranking, yet the former has won all six of their meetings without ever losing a set.
Being French too, he’ll have the home support for this tussle, so take tasty odds of 7/4 for Simon to reach the fourth round in just three sets.
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