It promises to be an exciting fifth day at the French Open with 16 matches on the slate in Paris. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Frances Tiafoe vs Hubert Hurkacz, Jannik Sinner vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo, and Arthur Rinderknech vs Matteo Berrettini. But who will live to fight another die and who will fall to defeat on the terre battue?
French Open Day 5 Predictions
Ben Shelton vs Raphael Collignon
Tope: Ben Shelton enters this one with the usual Grand Slam intensity dialled up—his opening win over Daniel Merida was clean, controlled, and built on the kind of first-serve authority that tends to snowball quickly in best-of-five tennis. But Raphael Collignon won’t feel like a passive next step; the Belgian has already shown clay-court grit this season and he’ll try to turn this into a rhythm test rather than a power exchange. The equation is simple but unforgiving, at Slam tempo, Shelton’s explosiveness and confidence tend to widen the gap as matches progress, and that edge could ultimately decide it.
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Cizu: Despite a trophy in this clay season, it’s been a below-par period for the American. Clay is probably not the most suitable surface for his game style. That said, against a player like Collignon, you’d still expect him to come through by the sheer power he possesses.
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Ilemona: Shelton’s big serve and athleticism can dominate when he finds rhythm, even on clay. Collignon is well-rounded with solid baseline play. Shelton’s raw power and improving clay adaptation should help him take control as the match progresses.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Flavio Cobolli vs Wu Yibing
Tope: Flavio Cobolli brings heavier clay-court mileage and a proven ability to manage tight moments. Yibing Wu, however, won’t be overawed after easing past Marcos Giron in a controlled opening-round display, conceding just one break in a solid 7-5 6-2 6-4 win. Their only previous meeting saw Cobolli win in straight sets, and the Italian still has the edge in what will be a competitive encounter.
Prediction: Cobolli in 5
Cizu: Cobolli has quietly been one of the best players in this clay season despite going off the boil in his last two matches. Wu is a really talented player, but he’s struggled to put it all together for a long time. In what should be a competitive match, I believe Cobolli wins the key moments to take the victory at the French Open.
Prediction: Cobolli in 3
Ilemona: Cobolli has been rising steadily with strong ball-striking and athletic movement. Wu can hit cleanly but has shown inconsistency on clay lately. Cobolli’s recent level and ability to dictate from the baseline give him the advantage.
Prediction: Cobolli in 3
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Jaime Faria
Tope: Jan-Lennard Struff survived a rollercoaster four-set battle to record another statement win over Alexander Bublik. That kind of Slam resilience is his calling card, and he’ll lean on it again against Jaime Faria, who is riding a wave of confidence after four straight wins on the bounce and he has proven he has the ability to flip this match in his favour.
Prediction: Faria in 5
Cizu: Struff had a good win against Bublik, while Faria took out Shapovalov. Both defeated opponents who tend to be lacklustre, and this will be, in many ways, their first real contest of the tournament. Struff is certainly dangerous on this surface, and while I expect Faria to put up a good fight, it’s the German I expect to come out the victor at the French Open.
Prediction: Struff in 5
Ilemona: Struff hits with heavy power and has decent clay experience. Faria will compete hard with consistency but may struggle against bigger weapons. Struff’s overall strength and ability to finish points should carry him through.
Prediction: Struff in 4
Vit Kopriva vs Martin Landaluce
Tope: Martin Landaluce and Vit Kopriva arrive into their second-round clash already battle-tested and running on fumes after two marathon five-set wins that each demanded both grit and resilience. Both men have shown they can outlast chaos, but also that lapses in concentration can be costly, and that makes this matchup feel like a pure endurance test with momentum likely to swing wildly across sets. That being said, Kopriva is the more experienced player.
Prediction: Kopriva in 5
Cizu: Kopriva came through a tough five-set battle against the tricky Moutet in the first round at the French Open. Landulace also endured his own 5-set battle. It sets up what might be another long battle between two players who believe they can win. I’ll side with Kopriva based on his experience.
Prediction: Kopriva in 5
Ilemona: Kopriva grinds well from the baseline with steady play. Landaluce has shown promising clay results and good movement. Landaluce’s recent momentum and fighting spirit could make the difference in a tight battle.
Prediction: Landaluce in 4
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
