Home favorites Gael Monfils and Lucas Pouille will kick off their French Open first round matches on Tuesday and both are favored to prevail. You can also check out our predictions for matches featuring Alexander Zverev and Juan Martin Del Potro for day 3. Yesh Ginsburg and Jim Smith are on hand for these predictions.
Gael Monfils vs Taro Daniel
Jim: Monfils usually plays his best tennis in front of the French crowds, but he may need to against Daniel, who impressed in reaching the Geneva Open quarterfinals. The Japanese is a more than proficient clay-courter and will surely be eager to make his mark. But Monfils’s combination of power and athleticism should be enough for him to win the day. Monfils in 3
Yesh: Gael Monfils is a hero here in Paris, and he always seems to bring his best for the home crowd. He’s sometimes cracked under pressure here, but he shouldn’t have too much against Daniel. Daniel is a solid player, but has nothing to challenge Monfils. Monfils in 3
Taylor Fritz vs Bernard Tomic
Jim: Taylor Fritz made impressive strides at the Lyon Open, beating Jiri Vesely and Roberto Bautista Agut on his way to the semifinals. He’s admirably focused on court and possesses a solid, if unspectacular game. Against Tomic, who can be a tricky foe but has historically struggled on clay, the American should feel confident about his chances and rightly so. Fritz in 4
Yesh: Taylor Fritz is something like Bernard Tomic was a few years ago, only without the deep Slam run. He’s an up-and-coming youngster with a pretty laid-back attitude. Unlike Tomic, Fritz seems to take tennis seriously. That will matter. Fritz in 3
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Jordan Thompson
Jim: Davidovich Fokina looks to have a bright future ahead of him and will surely be desperate to take advantage of his good fortune in Paris after being awarded a place in the main draw as a lucky loser. But up against Australia’s Jordan Thompson, he will need to play a very good match to advance. Thompson has a fine all around game and surely a physical advantage. Expect that to prove decisive. Thompson in 5
Yesh: Davidovich Fokina had a sensational breakthrough earlier this month, and he earned his way into the draw as a Lucky Loser here. He has a decent draw and will take full advantage, extending his stay in Paris. Davidovich Fokina in 4
Simone Bolelli vs Lucas Pouille
Jim: It has been a strange season for Pouille, who played superb tennis in Melbourne but has done little since. However, he is more than good enough to beat Simone Bolelli, although the Italian should be match tough after coming through the qualifying. Nonetheless, with the backing of the French crowd, expect Pouille to advance. Pouille in 4
Yesh: Bolelli is well past his prime, and Lucas Pouille seems to be easing into his. Pouille will be dangerous here. Pouille in 3
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