The French Open is now approaching the halfway point and the men’s and women’s tournaments are now at the third round stage. The men’s tournament first and second favourites Nadal and Djokovic are still in action and progressing towards a semi-final show down from the bottom half of the draw, and sixth seed Thiem looks like the only player capable of stopping this outcome occurring now. From the top-half of the draw top-seed and 2016 finalist Murray is ominously progressing and improving with each match and he is looking in better shape than he did at this stage last year. He’s looking fit and happy again and there’s no reason why he can’t repeat last year’s success here, which is important, as it will go a long way to protecting his number one ranking.

The women’s tournament is still wide open and it’s hard to pick out one player who stands head and shoulders above the rest. Defending champion Muguruza seems to be finding some form again after a long spell in the wilderness. Third seed Simona Halep is continuing her strong clay form and is the outright favourite and player to beat according to the bookmakers now. Fifth seed Svitolina is also moving along nicely and remains the outright second favourite, while second seed Pliskova looks to be finding her feet on clay at last as this is the furthest she has progressed at Roland Garros. Australian Open finalist and veteran Venus Williams is going under the radar again and with injury doubts hanging over the heads of main dangers Muguruza and Mladenovic, who look to be her main dangers in the top-half of the draw, there’s no reason why she cannot reach another Grand Slam final as she’s clearly playing well enough.