Pablo Carreno Busta vs Thanasi Kokkinakis Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Kokkinakis set for another Roland Garros epic?
Thanasi Kokkinakis takes on Spanish veteran Pablo Carreno Busta in the second round of the French Open 2026. Kokkinakis, famous for marathon matches at Roland Garros, rallied from behind in the previous round and boasts a perfect second round record at the tournament. Carreno Busta, returning from injury, scored a major win over Jiri Lehecka in round one but hasn’t progressed past this stage in recent Grand Slams. Experts predict a lengthy contest, with the potential for another five-set Kokkinakis thriller. Bet tips include over 36.5 total games due to Kokkinakis' track record.
- Pablo Carreno Busta vs Thanasi Kokkinakis predictions for Wednesday's French Open R2
- Kokkinakis undefeated in R2 matches at Roland Garros
- Carreno Busta on nine-match losing run in R2 matches
- Another Grand Slam epic involving Kokkinakis on the cards - if he's fit
- The match is scheduled to start around 11.00pm AEST on Wednesday May 27
Thanasi Kokkinakis (Photo by Getty Images)
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Pablo Carreno Busta vs Thanasi Kokkinakis Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Thanasi Kokkinakis will be looking to extend his perfect record in French Open second round matches when he comes up against Spanish veteran Pablo Carreno Busta on Wednesday.
Playing just his second tour-level match of the year, Kokkinakis produced a miraculous performance and comeback in the deciding set to outlast French hope Terence Atmane in a five-set thriller. Kokkinakis has gained a reputation as a marathon man at the majors over the last few years and incredibly, he's now gone the distance in five of his last six Roland Garros matches - and the other was a fourth-set tiebreaker.
Meanwhile, Carreno Busta has also spent a lot of time on the sidelines due to injury over the last few years - and he registered his biggest win in almost five years by conquering 12th seed Jiri Lehecka in straight sets in his opening round. The Spaniard is a two-time quarter-finalist at Roland Garros and will be hoping that win is a springboard back towards the top of the game.
Very cautious and aware that this could be a quick win for Carreno Busta as we just don't know how Kokkinakis' body is going to recover after such little tennis over the last two years. The Aussie did pull out of the doubles yesterday, but I feel that was just precautionary. With Carreno Busta a big favourite, I'm going to have small stakes on some value.
I'll go with Over 36.5 total games given Kokkinakis' history at the slams, while the Aussie to prevail in five again in Paris would be a hell of a narrative.
Carreno Busta vs Kokkinakis Stats & Trends
- Kokkinakis has seen Over 3.5 sets in 11 of his last 12 completed Grand Slam matches
- Kokkinakis has seen Over 3.5 sets in 10 of his 12 previous Roland Garros matches
- Kokkinakis has seen five sets in five of his last six Roland Garros matches, winning four
- Carreno Busta has gone 0-9 in his last nine second round matches
- Carreno Busta has gone 0-4 in his last four Grand Slam second round matches
- Kokkinakis is a perfect 3-0 in Roland Garros second round matches
Carreno Busta vs Kokkinakis Head To Head
This will be the first career meeting between the pair.
Pablo Carreno Busta Form Analysis
- 2026 Record: 4-7
- French Open Record: 19-12
- Current Ranking: No. 89
- Career-High Ranking: No. 10 (2027)
It's been almost a decade since Carreno Busta hit his career-high ranking and cracked the top 10, but he's determined to work his way back up the rankings after a series of injury setbacks.
Carreno Busta has been plagued by various injury problems since winning the Canada Masters in 2022 and came into this clash with just three tour-level victories for the season.
However, the Spaniard produced his best win in almost five years in his Roland Garros opener, crushing Jiri Lehecka in straight sets, 6-3 7-6(3) 6-3.
The 34-year-old is a two-time Roland Garros quarter-finalist, but hasn't been past the second round since 2021.
Thanasi Kokkinakis Form Analysis
- 2026 Record: 2-0
- French Open Record: 7-5
- Current Ranking: No. 855
- Career-High Ranking: No. 65 (2023)
After undergoing revolutionary pectoral surgery, there were serious doubts as to whether Kokkinakis could return to professional tennis.
Those concerns heightened at the start of the year in Adelaide, where after beating Seb Korda, the Aussie was forced to withdraw with a shoulder injury.
Kokkinakis spent the next few months on the sidelines and wasn't sure he'd be ready to take to court in Paris, even telling family and friends not to fly over as he wasn't sure he'd last more than few games.
Fair to say Kokkinakis exceeded his own expectations, coming from 1-4 down in the final set to roll over Terence Atmane by a 6-7(5) 6-2 4-6 6-3 7-5 score.
“To come back after such little tennis on a Grand Slam stage and in these conditions against a good player from France, it's probably my best mental effort considering where I was,” Kokkinakis said.
“I was very scared, very nervous to go out there, but when I got going, I just played on energy.”
Kokkinakis will now be looking to make the third round at Roland Garros for the fourth time. Four of his five defeats in Paris have come against players ranked No. 12 or higher.
Carreno Busta vs Kokkinakis Live Stream
Watch and bet on Pablo Carreno Busta vs Thanasi Kokkinakis live tennis from Roland Garros.
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Verdict
Will back another long match involving Kokkinakis - if he's recovered, good value on another five-set epic win.
Over 36.5
Total Games
$1.80 - 2 Units
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Kokkinakis 3-2
Set Betting
$7.50 - 1 Unit
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