French Open Day 12: Quarter-finals begin with no rain forecast

Such has been the relentless rain at this year’s French Open, there’s talk of moving the men’s final to Monday, but with a couple of breaks in the weather coming up, everything should still go according to plan.

And so Thursday’s action – Day 12 – should see the continuation of, and hopefully conclusion to, the men’s and women’s quarter-final action.

That includes both world number ones taking to the court, in what should be another dramatic and hopefully rain-free day of dusty tennis.

Djokovic will reach the semis, but not cleanly

Novak Djokovic was made to wait – for three days – to see off Roberto Bautista-Agut, eventually prevailing in a far from perfect four sets.

The Serbian holds a dominating stance over quarter-final opponent Tomas Berdych, winning 23 of their 25 meetings.

The world number one has claimed all three of the clay court clashes too, but crucially Berdych has nabbed a set every time.

Best Bet: Djokovic to win 3-1 @ 11/4

Thiem and Goffin to slog it out

With just two rankings spots between them, Dominic Thiem versus David Goffin could be the most intriguing quarter-final of the tournament.

Previous match-ups between the pair have often been closely fought, and both men have endured battling performances to get this far.

Goffin has won five of the six completed matches versus Austria’s Thiem, including earlier this year in four sets at the Australian Open.

This has all the hallmarks of a least a four-setter, and probably a five.

Best Bet: Exactly five sets @ 12/5

Trouble looms for Serena, but only minor

Yulia Puntintseva is improving all the time, and the 21-year-old has the ability to trouble all-conquering Serena Williams.

Only Kristina Mladenovic has got remotely close to the American in Paris, but in their two previous meetings, Puntintseva forced Serena to a first-set tie-break each time.

The second sets in those clashes saw Williams waltz home 6-0 and 6-1 however, suggesting the up-and-coming Kazakhstani isn’t quite capable of taking down the American just yet.

Best Bet: Williams to win 2-0 @ 1/4

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.