French Open 2014: Day 6 Schedule, Matchups Predictions for Roland Garros Bracket
The biggest name on Thursday’s schedule was men’s No. 1 seed Rafael Nadal, and the fans at the 2014 French Open were treated to an amazing showcase of the eight-time champion’s ability on the clay surface.
Nadal wasn’t the only top player to advance on Thursday, as ranked stars like Andy Murray, Jelena Jankovic and Petra Kvitova all managed to hold off their opponents in Round 2 and advance to Round 3.
Now the attention turns to the Day 6 schedule.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
With huge matchups across the docket, including a meeting between the No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic and No. 25 seed Marin Cilic and the battle of No. 4 seed Roger Federer vs. No. 31 seed Dmitry Tursunov, Day 6 will be action-packed at Roland Garros.
Here is the full television schedule and the top matches for Day 6 of the 2014 French Open.
| May 30 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Early Round Action | Tennis Channel |
| Agnieszka Radwanska | vs. | Ajla Tomljanovic | Court Chatrier | Radwanska |
| Maria Sharapova | vs. | Paula Ormaechea | Court Chatrier | Sharapova |
| Dominika Cibulkova | vs. | Samantha Stosur | Court Lenglen | Stosur |
| Angelique Kerber | vs. | Daniela Hantuchova | Court Lenglen | Kerber |
| Carla Suarez Navarro | vs. | Taylor Townsend | Court 1 | Suarez Navarro |
| Pauline Parmentier | vs. | Mona Barthel | Court 1 | Barthel |
| Roger Federer | vs. | Dmitry Tursunov | Court Chatrier | Federer |
| Milos Raonic | vs. | Gilles Simon | Court Chatrier | Simon |
| Novak Djokovic | vs. | Marin Cilic | Court Lenglen | Djokovic |
| Jo-Wilfried Tsonga | vs. | Jerzy Janowicz | Court Lenglen | Tsonga |
| Ernests Gulbis | vs. | Radek Stepanek | Court 1 | Gulbis |
| John Isner | vs. | Tommy Robredo | Court 1 | Isner |
*For the full schedule, check out RolandGarros.com.
Top Matchups on Day 6
No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic vs. No. 25 seed Marin Cilic
When No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic squares off against No. 25 seed Marin Cilic on Friday, the focus will be on Djokovic and his ability to finally win his first French Open title.
Djokovic has only reached the final at this Grand Slam one time—he lost to Rafael Nadal in 2012—but he has looked incredibly sharp to start this year's tournament. Not only did Djokovic beat Joao Sousa in straight sets during the first round, but he also went on to defeat Jeremy Chardy during the second round in straight sets.
Djokovic spoke to the BBC after his second-round victory and explained how he won: “I managed to make him play an extra shot. I managed to stay solid from the baseline, and I think that forced him to make a lot of unforced errors, which definitely helped me to win in straight sets.”
As a tall and lanky player, Djokovic’s key to success is dominating the baseline. While he has a powerful serve that can do major damage, it is his ability to cover space on the return that makes him so dangerous.
Cilic deserves credit for beating Pablo Andujar in the first round and Tobias Kamke in the second, but the world’s No. 27-ranked player will be thoroughly outclassed by the No. 2 seed on Day 6.
Predicted Score: Djokovic wins, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3
No. 4 seed Roger Federer vs. No. 31 seed Dmitry Tursunov
While Roger Federer doesn’t have the same success rate he once did, the tennis legend is still going strong. Federer has won only once at Roland Garros, though, beating Robin Soderling in 2009.
That’s not to say Federer hasn’t been close to winning before, but he has lost four times in the final—each time to Rafael Nadal. The Swiss star is hoping 2014 will be different.
After beating both Lukas Lacko and Diego Sebastian Schwartzman in straight sets, Federer has proven that he is ready for his third-round matchup against Dmitry Tursunov and a deep run at another French Open title.
ESPN Stats & Info tweeted about how well Federer has played at Roland Garros:
Not to be outdone, Tursunov has also won his first two matchups of the tournament in straight sets, beating Potito Starace and Sam Querrey. Despite the hot start, Tursunov is still the same player who has amassed a 10-15 record through the first two rounds.
There is no doubt that Tursunov’s aggressive style and powerful serve will test Federer, but this is the kind of matchup Roger needs to win. With a tough field on the men’s side of the bracket, Federer must peak at the perfect time, and that starts by beating Tursunov.
Predicted Score: Federer wins, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
*Stats via RolandGarros.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
