French Open order of play, Day 7: Cornet’s theatrics, Djokovic's chance, must-see hipster clash

ByEurosport

Updated 27/05/2016 at 21:20 GMT

With Rafa Nadal’s sudden withdrawal from the French Open, some unlikely suspects are promoted to top billing on day seven at Roland Garros…

Alizé Cornet

Image credit: AFP

Omnipresent French Open champion Rafa Nadal’s withdrawal with a wrist injury created a sombre mood at the French Open on Friday, and left Novak Djokovic with a seemingly trouble-free route to the final.

Djokovic’s next match pits him against Britain’s Aljaz Bedene on Philippe Chatrier, a court that also hosts fellow world No.1 Serena Williams’ duel with Kristina Mladenovic.

An encounter between Alexander Zverev, 19, and Dominic Thiem, 22, should encourage hipsters worldwide to declare they had ‘spotted their talent when they were just kids’, while Venus Williams should find life ‘interesting’ against Alize Cornet...

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MATCH OF THE DAY

Venus Williams and Alize Cornet’s clash might not scream ‘must watch’, but all eyes will be on the Frenchwoman after her, erm, theatrical second round win over Tatjana Maria. Cornet’s regular cramp breaks infuriated Maria, who accused her opponent of gamesmanship. Good luck, Venus.

POTENTIAL UPSET OF THE DAY

Ernests Gulbis looks a good bet to eliminate sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Frenchman has a tetchy relationship with his home crowd and looked lost against Marcos Baghdatis in his second round encounter before belatedly staging a memorable comeback. Meanwhile, Latvian Gulbis has sailed through his opening two matches without dropping a set.

Highlights: Tsonga fights back to reach Paris third round

BRITWATCH

Time to prove your 'British-ness', Aljaz Bedene. The Slovenian-turned-Brit can help out Andy Murray by sapping - or, preferably, eliminating - Novak Djokovic in their clash on Philippe-Chatrier.