French Open order of play, Day 5
The French Open continues on Thursday, May 30 at Roland-Garros, with some of the sports’ biggest stars in second-round action on the clay courts of Paris.
Reigning men’s singles champion Novak Djokovic continues his quest for a fourth Paris title against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena.
The world No. 1 earned a straight-sets win in his opening match without convincing everyone that he was back to his best after a disappointing season so far, so all eyes will be on Philippe-Chatrier when Djokovic returns to the court looking to find his top level.
World No. 2 and current Australian Open champion Aryna Sabelanka plays on Thursday morning when she takes on ITF Spain champion Moyuka Uchijima.
Elena Rybakina, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Holger Rune and Daniil Medvedev are also all in action in the French capital.
‘Better questions please’ – Rybakina responds to reporters following first-round win
Top men’s match – Novak Djokovic v Roberto Carballes Baena
Djokovic was not as his best as he battled past Pierre-Hugues Herbert, but the world No. 1 has not always needed to be anywhere near that to still prevail at major tournaments.
It seems unlikely. Carballes Baena is an experienced player in his own right at 31, but his highest-ever ranking comes in at No. 49.
The Spanish journeyman would normally pose no threat at all to Djokovic, but the pressure is on the serial winner to prove age is not getting the better of him at last.
‘I delivered’ – Djokovic satisfied with opening Roland-Garros showing
Top women’s match – Moyuka Uchijima v Aryna Sabalenka
The first match-upon Philippe-Chatrier sees 2024’s only Grand Slam winner look to make it two out of two.
Sabalenka won the Australian Open back in January, and she is ranked No. 2 in the world as she trails Iga Swiatek.
The Belarusian had little difficulty as she swept past Erika Andreeva in straight sets on Tuesday, and she is favourite once more on Thursday when she takes on Moyuka Uchijima in the second round.
Twenty-two year old Japanese player Uchijima is the clear underdog here but her preparation for the tournament came at the ITF Spain event, which went extremely well for her as she won the tournament itself.
Few would expect anything but a win for Sabalenka but she has never won the French Open, with her best effort a semi-final last year.
‘A tough challenge for me’ – Sabalenka on playing Swiatek again at Roland-Garros
Brit Watch
With British interest in the singles already over, attention turns to the doubles tournaments.
Brits Henry Patten and Luke Johnson are paired with Harri Heliovaara and Skander Mansouri in the men’s doubles and resume their postponed matches
Show courts order of play, singles ā Thursday May 30 (All UK times)
Court Philippe Chatrier – From 11:00
Moyuka Uchijima v Aryna Sabalenka (2)Elina Svitolina (15) v Diane ParryNovak Djokovic (1) v Roberto Carballes BaenaGael Monfils v Lorenzo Musetti (30)Court Suzanne Lenglen – From 10:00
Miomir Kecmanovic v Daniil Medvedev (5)Arantxa Rus v Elena Rybakina (4)Alexander Zverev (4) v David GoffinMadison Keys (14) v Mayar SherifCourt Simonne Mathieu – From 10:00
Hubert Hurkacz (8) v Brandon NakashimaCorentin Moutet v Alexander ShevchenkoVarvara Gracheva v Bernarda PeraAlejandro Davidovich Fokina v Casper Ruud (7)Court 14 – From 10:00
Fabian Marozsan v Grigor Dimitrov (10)Katie Volynets v Marketa Vondrousova (5)Flavio Cobolli v Holger Rune (13)Victoria Azarenka (19) v Mirra AndreevaStream the French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com.
