French Open 2019 – Novak Djokovic vs Henri Laaksonen Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Novak Djokovic vs Henri Laaksonen taking place? Suzanne-Lenglen Roland-Garros, Paris
When is Novak Djokovic vs Henri Laaksonen on and what time does it start? Thursday 30th May, 2019 – (not before) 11:50 (UK)
What channel is Novak Djokovic vs Henri Laaksonen on in the UK? ITV4 & Eurosport are sharing broadcasting rights for the French Open so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I stream Novak Djokovic vs Henri Laaksonen? Televised matches can be streamed via the ITV Hub & Eurosport Player
Where can I get tickets for Novak Djokovic vs Henri Laaksonen?
https://tickets.rolandgarros.com/en/home
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: N/A
Last meeting: N/A
THE PLAYERS
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
- World number one Novak Djokovic dismissed young Pole Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets to get his hunt for the second ‘Nole Slam’ underway.
- The Serb has two titles this year including the Australian Open win over Rafael Nadal back in January but he lost to Nadal on clay in the Italian Open final before this tournament and their rivalry will be fascinating at Roland-Garros this year.
- Djokovic, like Roger Federer, has just one French Open title to his name in 2016 thanks to the sheer dominance of Rafael Nadal at this Grand Slam.
HENRI LAAKSONEN
- Henri Laaksonen played out two deciding set matches in qualifying before blowing away his first-round opponent Pedro Martinez Portero in straight sets (6-1, 6-0, 7-6).
- Laaksonen put in some good clay-court practice a fortnight ago by winning the Challenger Title at the Roma Garden Open.
- The 27-year-old world number 104 came close to putting out home favourite Alex di Minaur in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open earlier this year, and determination appears to be a big part of the Swiss’ game with 15 out of 33 matches going the distance this year.
THE PREDICTION
Of all Henri Laaksonen's efforts this year, two deciding set defeats to Russia’s big guns Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov in a Davis Cup qualifier earlier this year suggest a real player lurks within his world number 104 ranking. The Swiss has won two challenger events this year and his scores suggest he often makes up for in fight what he may lack in ability. However, Laaksonen could not have pulled a shorter straw, as world number one Novak Djokovic should eclipse any battle the Swiss puts up to progress swiftly to the third round.
