Novak Djokovic vs Francisco Cerundolo Preview & Prediction | 2024 French Open | Round of 16
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Defending champion Novak Djokovic finished his third round clash with Lorenzo Musetti at 3am on Sunday morning but he should be better for a confidence-boosting scrap.
START DATE/TIME: Monday 3rd June 2024, UK – not before 15:00 / US EST – not before 10:00 / US PST – not before 07:00
VENUE: Roland Garros Stadium, Paris, France
SURFACE: Outdoor clay
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Eurosport / US – NBC, Peacock and Tennis
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / US – NBC, Peacock and Tennis
TICKETS: Visit this link for the latest Novak Djokovic vs Francisco Cerundolo ticket information
NOVAK DJOKOVIC – 24-time Grand Slam champion, three-times at Roland-Garros
37-year-old Novak Djokovic fought back from 2-1 down to Lorenzo Musetti, who had taken him to five sets here before three years ago, with a blistering final two sets in which he conceded just three games. The world number one is clearly still far from his imperious best but he should be better for a five-set scrap, that finished just after 3am on Sunday morning, having proved to himself that the level to defend his Roland-Garros title is still in there.
Djokovic extended his Men’s Singles Grand Slam titles record to 24 with victory at the US Open last summer but he has yet to defend any of his three majors here in Paris.
FRANCISCO CERUNDOLO – Second-successive round of 16 run at Roland-Garros
World number 27 Francisco Cerundolo fought back from a set down to beat oft-foe Tommy Paul on Saturday, reaching the last 16 here for the second season on the spin. The 25-year-old has endured a fluctuating 2024 so far after his best season on tour last year, where he won a second ATP title in Eastbourne a few weeks on from coming agonisingly close to beating Holger Rune to the quarter-finals in a five-set exit.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC VS FRANCISCO CERUNDOLO PREDICTION
World number one Novak Djokovic is an elite athlete whose affinity with his body has brought him to the pinnacle of the sport, suffering fewer injuries than his ‘Big Three’ rivals and maintaining the flexibility for his trademark split-slides on any surface. Even he, however, should be feeling fatigued on Monday after an epic five-set clash with Lorenzo Musetti sailed past four hours in length and well into the early hours of Sunday.
World number 27 Francisco Cerundolo may never have a better opportunity to beat the Serb, or any world number one for that matter, and he will be well aware that his best opportunity is to make his opponent run for everything for as long as possible.
Cerundolo at his best is well capable of forcing a decider here, as Musetti did, but whilst we can expect Djokovic to be feeling his legs we can also expect him to be much-improved after proving doubters, perhaps his own doubts most of all, that he can compete for the title this week. Back Djokovic to win outright, with four sets probably the likeliest outcome.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC VS FRANCISCO CERUNDOLO TIP: NOVAK DJOKOVIC TO WIN
