Preview: Djokovic v. Zverev, Thiem v. Khachanov In Roland Garros QFs

Novak Djokovic looks for his 26th consecutive Grand Slam win when he faces Alexander Zverev on Wednesday at Roland Garros. The other quarter-final of the day features Dominic Thiem against Karen Khachanov.

Top seed Djokovic and fifth seed Zverev are even in their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry at 2-2, but the German won their lone clay-court meeting in the 2017 Internazionali BNL d’Italia final. The Serbian won his 33rd ATP Masters 1000 title at the Mutua Madrid Open (d. Tsitsipas) and also finished runner-up finish in Rome (l. to Nadal).

Djokovic has yet to drop a set this fortnight and remains in strong contention to complete the “Nole Slam” for the second time by holding all four majors at once. The Serbian leads the six remaining players in service games won.

Serving Stats Of Remaining 2019 Roland Garros Contenders

**Serving stats courtesy of SMT

After struggling for form since March, Zverev has turned his year around at the end of the clay-court swing. He won his first title of the season two weeks ago at the Banque Eric Sturdza Geneva Open (d. Jarry) and currently has an eight-match winning streak. Fitness could play a factor on Wednesday as Zverev has logged far more time (12 hours and five minutes) on court this fortnight than his opponent (six hours and 46 minutes).

However, Zverev will arrive fully healthy for his showdown against Djokovic, a stark contrast to the hamstring injury he had while facing Thiem in last year’s quarter-finals. The German is confident he has the tools to prevail if he’s playing his best.

“Obviously last year’s quarter-final was very unfortunate to me, very sad, ending with an injury,” said Zverev. “Hopefully this year will be different and it will be a great match. It’s going to be a tough battle against Novak, the World No. 1. It’s going to be interesting.”

Who will win the latest @FedEx ATP Head2Head clash between these players?#RG19

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) June 4, 2019

Khachanov, seeded 10th, won his lone FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting with Thiem in last year’s Rolex Paris Masters semi-finals. The Russian defeated Juan Martin del Potro on Monday to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final. After a challenging season that saw him arrive in Paris with a 10-12 record, Khachanov has found his form and produced a run that will ensure he makes his Top 10 debut in the ATP Rankings on Monday.

“I will try to do my best against [Thiem],” said Khachanov. “He’s reached at least the semi-finals [four] years in a row, so he’s for sure one of the top guys on clay. But I will try to fight and we’ll see.”

Fourth seed Thiem has rounded into form this fortnight. He needed four sets to prevail in each of his opening three rounds, but raised his level to record a convincing fourth-round victory against Gael Monfils. The Austrian is at 20-3 at the second major of the year since 2016 and remains a strong contender to lift his first Grand Slam title on Sunday. Thiem’s clay-court season also includes a title at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (d. Medvedev).

Massu: ‘Thiem Works, Thinks And Seeks To Be No. 1’

More On #RG19

* The Big 3 On The Big Stage
* Djokovic, Chasing All Four Slams, Feels Extra Motivation
* The Future Of The One-Handed Backhand

ORDER OF PLAY – WEDNESDAY, 5 JUNE 2019

Court Philippe-Chatrier start 2:00pm
WTA match
[1] Novak Djokovic vs [5] Alexander Zverev

Court Suzanne-Lenglen start 2:00pm
WTA match
[4] Dominic Thiem vs Karen Khachanov