Novak Djokovic vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert Preview & Prediction | 2024 French Open | First Round
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Defending champion Novak Djokovic will enter Roland-Garros without yet reaching a final this season as he continues to struggle with form and fitness.
START DATE/TIME: Tuesday 28th May 2024, UK – not before 19:15 / US EST – not before 14:15 / US PST – not before 09:15
VENUE: Roland Garros Stadium, Paris, France
SURFACE: Outdoor clay
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Eurosport / US – NBC, Peacock and Tennis Channel
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / US – NBC, Peacock and Tennis Channel
TICKETS: Visit this link for the latest Novak Djokovic vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert ticket information
NOVAK DJOKOVIC VS PIERRE-HUGUES HERBERT PREDICTION
World number one Novak Djokovic will enter Roland-Garros without yet winning a title in a season for the first time since 2018 after another out-of-sorts defeat, this tie to Tomas Machac in three sets at the Geneva Open.
The Serb turned 37 years old and claimed his 1100th ATP tour victory on the same day on Wednesday, beating Yannick Hanfmann before a solid performance over Tallon Griekspoor in the quarter-finals on Thursday, but he looked well off the pace against Machac despite handing out a second-set bagel. Perhaps more concerningly, Djokovic appeared to struggle physically in a one-sided final set that throws huge doubts over his ability to play a fortnight of five-setters here in Paris, where he ls the defending champion.
33-year-old Pierre-Hugues Herbert was handed a wildcard to make his first main draw appearance here since 2021, where he took a young Jannik Sinner to five sets before defeat. The Frenchman reached the semi-finals of the Metz Open late last season in a brief patch of form but he has struggled to return to the main tour in recent seasons following a 12-month absence through injury from June 2022-23.
Djokovic will be desperate to hit the clay running, and hard, to make a statement ahead of his title defence and he has been fortunate with this draw. Despite recent wobbles, back the Serb to win in straight sets.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC VS PIERRE-HUGUES HERBERT TIP: NOVAK DJOKOVIC TO WIN 3-0
