The stage is set for an exciting fifth day at the French Open with 16 intriguing matches scheduled across the grounds at Roland Garros. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Frances Tiafoe vs Hubert Hurkacz, Ben Shelton vs Raphael Collignon, and Jannik Sinner vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo. But who will secure their spot in the third round?

French Open Day 5 Predictions

Arthur Rinderknech vs Matteo Berrettini

Tope: Arthur Rinderknech shook off an early scare to secure an opening-round win and he’ll fancy his chances again at home, where his serve can turn matches into quick-fire contests. But Matteo Berrettini brings a different level of firepower, having roared back from a set down against Fucsovics and finished like a man in full control. Their only previous meeting ended prematurely, so there’s unfinished business here, and with both men leaning heavily on service games, I’ll side with the man with the bigger serve.

Prediction: Rinderknech in 4

Cizu: Two players who will be relying on their serve plus one shot. There might be a couple of tiebreakers in this one. However, the Italian, Berrettini, has more upside when the point gets started, and that should be the point of difference in what is likely to be a close match decided by moments.

Prediction: Berrettini in 4

Ilemona: Rinderknech brings big serving and can take control quickly. Berrettini has a huge serve of his own and his flat shots can be very effective on clay when he’s confident. Berrettini’s experience and ability to hit through the court should prevail.

Prediction: Berrettini in 5

Brandon Nakashima vs Luca Van Assche

Tope: Luca Van Assche looked solid as he grinded out a win in the first round, but he’ll need a cleaner, more consistent level to trouble a far more settled opponent in Paris. Brandon Nakashima was clinical in dismantling Bautista Agut in round one, striking cleanly from the baseline and rarely offering openings, and if he brings anything close to that same control, he should dictate this matchup.

Prediction: Nakashima in 4

Cizu: Van Assche did well to come through his first round match here and is one of the few Frenchmen left in the tournament. In Nakashima, he’d find a player who is too steady to find any real holes to exploit, especially after enjoying a good win in his first match. Van Assche should be joining his counterparts who have exited the tournament following this match.

Prediction: Nakashima in 3

Ilemona: Nakashima hits cleanly and constructs points smartly. Van Assche is solid on clay with good movement at home. Nakashima’s consistency and all-court balance look stronger for best-of-five tennis.

Prediction: Nakashima in 5

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Roman Andres Burruchaga

Tope: Felix Auger-Aliassime comes into this clash with the relief of a survivor rather than the aura of a frontrunner after scraping past Daniel Altmaier in a five-set marathon where he was two points from defeat. That level of inconsistency opens the door for Roman Andrés Burruchaga, who announced himself at Slam level with a gritty comeback win of his own, even if 52 unforced errors underline just how volatile his game can be.

On clay, the Argentine’s ability to extend rallies and drag opponents into scrappy exchanges could expose any dip in FAA’s focus, especially given the Canadian’s patchy rhythm in round one. Still, over five sets, Auger-Aliassime’s cleaner ball-striking and superior physical reserves should gradually tell.

Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 4

Cizu: Auger Aliassime came through a tough first-round battle. Burruchaga benefited from a retirement after 3 sets of action. With the Canadian, it’s always a tough call, as the difference between his ceiling and his floor is quite large. If he plays well, this could be a straight-sets demolition, or it could be a see-saw match that he eventually loses, such is his unpredictable nature. That said, in his first round match, he showed great determination to prevail. So I’m siding with him to get it done.

Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 4

Ilemona: Auger-Aliassime has improved his clay game with better movement and recent strong results. The opponent brings baseline steadiness but lacks the same weapons. Auger-Aliassime’s power and fitness should help him dominate longer rallies.

Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 4

Zachary Svajda vs Adam Walton

Tope: Zachary Svajda claimed his first main-draw Roland Garros victory after a gutsy comeback win over Alexei Popyrin but now faces a very different test against a buoyant Walton, fresh off the biggest win of his career after toppling former world #1 Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller. Walton’s clay pedigree is still a question mark despite that statement result, while Svajda’s resilience on this surface is beginning to look genuine and his experience from the opening round gives him a slight edge in what should still be a tight contest.

Prediction: Svajda in 5

Cizu: Both players, maybe surprisingly, won their first-round matches and are now rewarded with a chance to progress even further in a match they’d both feel they can win.  This one feels like a coin toss in many ways, but I’ll back Svajda to come through what is most likely to be a competitive battle between two players hoping to extend the high they’re both feeling.

Prediction: Svajda in 5

Ilemona: Svajda plays with energy and can extend points from the baseline. Walton has power but can be exposed on clay. Svajda’s steadiness and ability to grind should give him the upper hand in this matchup.

Prediction: Svajda in 5

Main photo credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports