French Open 2021 Day Five preview | Big guns take centre stage at Roland Garros

Jonathan Davies in French Open 02 Jun 2021

Roger Federer (PA Sport)

Novak Djokovic, Ashleigh Barty, Roger Federer, Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal all feature as Round Two draws to a close on a mouth-watering Day Five at the French Open.

The Last 32 line-up in both men’s and women’s singles draws will be completed by the close of play on Thursday, while the opening round of the doubles events resumes at Roland Garros.

Reigning champion Nadal, who is seeking a 14th title here, will be feeling confident ahead of facing former world number seven Richard Gasquet.

The Spaniard has won all 16 previous meetings between the players, while you must go back to 2008 for the last time the Frenchman took a set from him.

Meanwhile, Ladies champ Swiatek resumes her title defence against world number 60 Rebecca Peterson, who is aiming to reach the third round in Paris for the first time.

Federer and Djokovic continue their quests to become the first male player in the Open era to complete a double Career Grand Slam.

Playing just his sixth match in 16 months following two knee surgeries, 20-time ranking event winner Federer faces a tricky test in former US Open champion Marin Cilic, while world number one Djokovic faces Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas.

Top Ladies seed Ashleigh Barty admitted she struggled with a hip injury during her first-round win over Bernarda Pera, and will hope to be back to full fitness ahead of facing Poland’s Magda Linette.

Elsewhere, 2020 runner-up Sofia Kenin’s quest to go one better sees her lock horns with 19-year-old compatriot Hailey Baptiste, while fifth seed Elina Svitolina takes on the in-form Ann Li.

Ninth seed Karolina Pliskova – recently a runner-up in Rome – faces a tricky test in Sloane Stephens, who reached the final here three years ago.

Over in the Men’s draw, recent Belgrade Open champion Marco Berrettini looks to continue his good form against Argentina’s Federico Coria, while home favourite Gael Monfils aims to delight the crowd once more as he takes on Mikael Ymer of Sweden.

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