David Goffin versus Horacio Zeballos

The pundits have been very clear about who they think will win the men's title this year at Roland Garros, but a player who has arguably been shortchanged and deserves some consideration at least as a dark horse is Goffin.  The Belgian has thus far pieced together a very respectable 2017, having reached a couple of finals and cracking the Top 10 back in February.  He has also been solid on the dirt this spring.  He made the semifinals in Monte Carlo and quarterfinals in Madrid, notching a win over Novak Djokovic and playing a few tight sets with Rafael Nadal along the way.

He will have to keep up the brand of tennis that has brought him that success when he takes on Horacio Zeballos on Friday.  The Argentine is ranked a solid Number 65 and is most at home on the clay.  His height and the fact that he is left-handed gives him an advantage on serve, and overall, he boasts a greater weight of shot.  But Goffin has historically done a good job of making up for what he lacks in pace by staying up on the baseline and taking the ball early.  He does an exceptional job of moving the ball around and recognizing when to attack and move forward.  Assuming he continues to successfully employ those tactics, he is moving through to the fourth round.

Caroline Wozniacki versus CiCi Bellis

Caroline Wozniacki is a familiar name in tennis circles.  A former world no. 1 and US Open Finalist, she has had a rough go of it the last few seasons with injuries.  Things have been looking up for her in 2017, however, thanks to multiple notable runs on the hard courts throughout the first quarter of the year, which have her once again knocking on the door of the Top 10.  Her opponent, CiCi Bellis, is quickly trying to make her mark on the WTA as she competes in her first full year as a professional.  She made headlines last summer when she came through the qualifying to reach the third round of the US Open, and she would dearly love to go one better here in Paris. 

Few doubt that she has the talent to go on to big things.  She has already logged a couple of quarterfinal finishes this year, including the prestigious tournament in Dubai, and has accumulated some impressive victories, such as her defeat of eighteenth seed Kiki Bertens in the last round.  But does she have it in her to upend Wozniacki?  The Dane has looked vulnerable on the clay and has been dealing with some niggling injuries.  Roland Garros has also been her weakest of the four slams.  But Wozniacki has more experience, too.  She is a terrific competitor, who rarely gives away anything for free, and she has the mental edge having soundly defeated the American in their only prior meeting that took place earlier this year in Dubai.  Her retrieving ability is sure to test the resolve of the youthful Bellis, and in the end, that will likely be enough to see her across the finish line.

Dominic Thiem versus Steve Johnson

Winning a match or winning a tournament obviously depends a great deal on talent, being able to play one's best, and how successfully one's game matches up against an opponent's.  If it were strictly based on that, Dominic Thiem easily wins this contest against Steve Johnson.  The Austrian hits bigger from both wings, owns the better serve, is the superior mover on the clay, and his backhand is head and shoulders above the American’s. But their individual games are not the only component to consider on Friday.  There is also the emotional aspect.  As has been widely discussed, Johnson came to Paris two weeks after the tragic and unexpected passing of his father, the man who taught him to love and play tennis.  His emotions have clearly been near the surface throughout his first two rounds here, but even as they have at times bubbled over, they have also helped him get back on track.  They can serve as an inspiration to find a new gear and to fight in honor of the man who is no longer there to watch him.  And while Thiem is not having to play with a heavy heart, he is the one who comes in with all the pressure.

Many have him as their second pick behind Rafael Nadal to win the title.  He is also defending a semifinal showing from last year.  As he looks to go deeper and deeper at this event, there is no telling when the pressure of living up to those expectations may wear on his game.  Currently, the sixth seed has shown no such nerves, and if he continues in that vein, he gets through this encounter.  But do not discount Johnson.  He is playing for something more this year, and if he can raise his level and give Thiem cause for concern, then an upset may be in the cards.