French Open: Day six betting preview, tips & TV details

Day six
ITV4 & Eurosport 1, from 10am Friday

Johanna Konta, Britain’s best outside hope of a French Open singles title this year, faces a potentially difficult third-round clash against Viktoria Kuzmova at Roland Garros and the Slovak has been nibbled at to upset the Eastbourne ace.

Konta, who reached the final in Rome on clay earlier this month, has played the best slow-court tennis of her career this season and that will be a huge boost for her chances of shining on grass in the coming weeks.

However, while Konta has made significant strides as regards improving her movement on clay, as the betting suggests she is far from certain to survive her last-32 test in Paris and punters may be wise to anticipate a closely-fought encounter.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are also in action on day six of the season’s second major. Federer looks to have a winnable clash against Norwegian youngster Caspar Ruud, who already looks to be a much better performer than his old man Christian.

Ruud is going places but Federer, who is playing well and enjoying being back at Roland Garros, should have too much guile for his 20-year-old foe.

Nadal’s outing could be considerably tougher. David Goffin, whom he meets, did not look to be playing that special going into the tournament but the Belgian, at his best a mercurial talent on any surface, has lifted his game a notch in Paris.

The match of the day could be Benoit Paire against Pablo Carreno Busta. Paire is finally applying himself correctly to his day job and the Frenchman’s increased focus has brought him two titles already this season.

Carreno Busta is back playing somewhere near his best after injury. The Spaniard has been backed to progress to the last 16, but with Paire also playing some of the best tennis of his career this could be a thriller.

However, it may pay to look elsewhere for the best bets on the first day of third-round action.

Kudermetova v Kanepi

Kaia Kanepi, the WTA player who gives most seeds trouble in the first rounds of majors, has arrived in Paris in good fettle but the seasoned Estonian may do well to deny Veronika Kudermetova.

The Russian looks to be going places. She has already seen off Caroline Wozniacki and Zarina Diyas at Roland Garros this week and there could be more to come.

Kanepi gets the vote in terms of experience, but she can sometimes look exposed against a top young talent and that could be the case in this instance.

Kanepi crushed 18th seed Julia Goerges in her opener then had to fight hard to reel in Shuai Zhang in three sets. But Kuder­metova, who showed terrific character to claw her way back from a first-set bagel against Wozniacki, could have the spirit and belief to end her opponent’s run.

Recommendation
V Kudermetova
1pt 5-4 Betfair

Tsitsipas v Krajinovic

Stefanos Tsitsipas has done wonders to rise to sixth in the world rankings, but the Greek may find Filip Krajinovic a tougher nut to crack than some oddsmakers believe.

Tsitsipas was taken to a tiebreak set by Max Marterer in his opener then dropped a set against Hugo Dellien in round two, so back Krajinovic, who has survived five-setters against Frances Tiafoe and Roberto Carballes Baena, to win at least a set.

Recommendation
F Krajinovic to win at least a set
1pt 4-6 Betway

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