Roland Garros 2013: Previewing Must-See Matches on Day 5 at French Open

The second-round of singles play at the 2013 French Open will continue on Thursday from Roland Garros. 

Day 5's schedule features plenty of intriguing matchups, but there are three in particular that tennis fans won't want to miss. The two favorites in the men's draw, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, will both be in action as they look to advance to the third round, inching one step closer to a potential semifinal collision next week.

In the women's draw, reigning Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka will take to the court for the second straight day after rain forced her to play her first-round match on Wednesday.

Here we'll look ahead to Day 5's must-see matches.

Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Guido Pella

Men's top seed Novak Djokovic will continue his quest to win his first French Open on Thursday, taking on unseeded challenger Guido Pella in the day's second match on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The 23-year-old Argentine is coming off an epic five-set win over Ivan Dodig in the first round, but should be out-matched by the 26-year-old world No. 1 this time around.

In his opening-round match win over David Goffin, Djokovic won 72 percent of his service points and kept his error count relatively low, averaging roughly 10 per set. Djokovic will need to be much better on Thursday in order to advance past a tough, underrated opponent in Pella, however.

Despite his poor ranking (No. 83), Pella is a tricky player. He's left-handed and is no stranger to clay.

Unfortunately, this is the first year Pella has qualified for the main draw at Roland Garros, and that doesn't bode well as he gets set to take on a 2012 French Open finalist in just his second go-around with the big boys.

Rafael Nadal (3) vs. Martin Klizan

Seven-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal will play his second-round match vs. Martin Klizan on Thursday in Day 5's third match on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Although Klizan is left-handed and therefore at more of an advantage than most players vs. Nadal, he should struggle to contain Rafa's forehand from the start on Thursday. After all, Nadal ripped 40 winners and committed only 26 unforced errors in his first-round win over Daniel Brands, proving solid in a less-than-stellar performance.

Rafa's topspin routinely gives opponents trouble on the red clay and in the early rounds that elite forehand will continue to be the difference. 

Expect an entertaining match from both players, even if it ends in straight sets. 

Victoria Azarenka (3) vs. Annika Beck

One day after winning her opening-round match comfortably in straight sets, Victoria Azarenka will look to secure a berth in the third round at Roland Garros by beating unseeded German Annika Beck.

Azarenka will play on Court Suzanne Lenglen right before Nadal's second-round match.

In Round 1, Azarenka looked fresh and in control from start to finish, recording 21 winners and committing just 13 unforced errors. The two-time major winner also won eight-of-10 net points in the victory over Elena Vesnina.

Beck enters Thursday's match with some momentum of her own, however, having won her first-round match easily in straight sets. Like Azarenka, Beck only made 13 unforced errors and was strong at the net, winning five-of-seven points there. 

But don't expect the world No. 62's success against Sandra Zahlavova to translate to her second-round showdown with Azarenka. This is a match that Vika should be expected to take rather easily.

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