The second round of the 2015 French Open will begin on Wednesday, with a slate of quality men’s matches. In addition to Niall Clarke and Stefano Berlincioni, we have freelance journalist Connor Farley along for the ride to preview and pick the best five men’s matches of day four.
Panelists’ Prediction Roland Garros 2015 Day 4
Dominic Thiem vs (21)Pablo Cuevas:
Connor:
One of the more difficult matches to predict for tomorrow’s play at the French Open. In recent weeks, both Cuevas and Thiem have been impressive. Cuevas reaching the final in Istanbul, where he lost to Federer and Thiem winning the title in Nice, the first title of his career. Both played solid tennis in their opening round matches against Groth and Bedene respectively, both needing four sets to get through. However, I feel the deciding factor here will be experience, coupled with the Uruguayan being the more astute clay courter of the two. Cuevas in 4 sets
Niall:
Thiem is one of the top prospects in tennis and possesses some big weapons, but he might be tired after his title run in Nice last week. Cuevas has a good clay court game, and has won all his titles on the surface. Thiem might take a set but I think Cuevas grinds him down. Cuevas in 4 sets
Stefano:
Thiem is on a 6-match winning streak and surely has a lot of confidence–the confidence that his risky game needs. Cuevas is a tough and solid opponent and Thiem should try to win this before it becomes a marathon. Thiem in 4 sets.
(5)Kei Nishikori vs Thomaz Bellucci:
Connor:
Bellucci is seeing something of a resurgence lately. He first started by taking Djokovic to three sets in Rome, as he did in Madrid 2011, before conceding. He then followed that up with a display of fine clay court tennis, as Bellucci is often prone to do (clay being his best surface) to win Geneva. Nishikori has also been in fine form on clay this year. Having defended his title in Barcelona, he went of to reach the semis in Madrid, losing to eventual champion Murray. Then in Rome, he charged his way to the quarters in fine style, before meeting the same fate as Bellucci in a three set tussle against Novak. I think an upset is entirely possible here if Thomaz continues his form, but Nishikori will stay consistent and true to his own game. So, it may be too much of an ask for the Brazilian. Nishikori in 5 sets.
Niall:
Nishikori is one of the best players in the world in general, and has had some good results on the clay over the past two years. The Japanese is comparable to Davydenko with his early ball striking and has a world class backhand. Bellucci comes into Roland Garros in good form after winning the Geneva title, but he may be tired and Nishikori is overall the better player so he should win. Nishikori in 3 sets
Stefano:
Bellucci also arrives to this 2nd round on a 6-match winning streak and took a set from Djokovic in Rome. I still think Nishikori is too much for him and he should quite easily pass this round; Bellucci can become an unforced error machine when things start going bad. Nishikori in 3 sets
Martin Klizan vs Gilles Simon:
Connor
Clay has only favoured one of these players this year. However, in this match up, I doubt the result of a Casablanca title win for Klizan will mean much coming up against the often-impenetrable Gilles Simon. Overall this year, both players have been inconspicuous, despite both winning titles. Both have been very much under the radar, which is surprising for Simon as he is often lurking as a potential threat in the draw. Despite Klizan’s success in Morocco, there is only one conclusion to this match I can see. Simon in 3 sets
Niall:
Klizan made fairly quick work of Tiafoe in round one. The Slovak has a good game on clay but he is very erratic. Simon on the other hand is very consistent and has the home crowd behind him which should be enough to see him through. Simon in 4 sets
Stefano:
Simon showed against Pouille that his neck problems didn’t bother him too much. Klizan should try to overpower him but if Simon will show up with good health I think he should be too solid for the Slovak. Simon in 4 sets
Borna Coric vs Tommy Robredo:
Connor:
Borna Coric has proved himself to be a very worthy tennis player this year. He’s had a win over Andy Murray this year in Dubai and has done fairly decently in the weaker tournaments, most notably reaching the semis last week in Nice. So he comes into the French with momentum. On the other hand, Robredo has been injured for much of the year and the usually consistent veteran has done nothing of note this year. I feel the young Croat could not have asked for a better opponent to progress to the third round of a Slam for the first time. Coric in 4 sets
Niall:
Like Thiem, Coric is one of the brightest prospects on tour. The Croatian plays a more consistent brand of tennis that can translate well on clay. Robredo is on the other end of the career spectrum but his comeback ability cannot be denied. The Spaniard also has a good clay court game, and with his experience I feel he may prevail in a long match. Robredo in 5 sets.
Stefano:
A young gun against a real circuit veteran: Coric can still play these matches without nothing to lose, his career will be probably long and brilliant. Robredo is far from being in his best shape and facing a kid full of energy will not be easy for him. Coric in 4 sets
(28)Fabio Fognini vs Benoit Paire:
Connor:
Undeniably the match of Day 4 of the French Open, this encounter has everything packed into it. Most crucially a large amount of entertainment and shot making. Unfortunately, Paire’s results have not been as nearly as entertaining as his game style is this year, being barely able to win a match. Comparing that to two wins over the King of Clay, Nadal himself, on this very surface for Fognini. Logically, there is only one winner to this otherwise immensely enjoyable encounter. However, Fognini is prone to the odd mental lapse, as is the striking Frenchman. So really, this match is not as predictable as it may seem. One thing is for sure though. The fans won’t be leaving the grounds of Roland Garros disappointed. It is going to be a ride. Fognini in 5 sets
Niall
My favourite match of the day. Benoit Paire is one of the wildest players on tour and is known for his on-court antics. Despite that he is very talented and has arguably the most devastating two handed backhand on tour. Fognini is also known for his antics rather than his tennis but he has proven what he can do when he is serious. This one will be entertaining but not for the tennis, and for some reason I feel Paire may rise to the occasion in front of the home crowd. Paire in 5 sets
Stefano:
Fognini loves this tournament, loves the attention, and playing in France against a French is surely motivating. Both are crazy and hugely talented players, I think Fabio is anyway more solid from baseline and with better physical shape on 5 sets. Fognini in 5 sets
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