The 2019 French Open 2nd round will feature accomplished veterans Gael Monfils and Juan Martin Del Potro looking to avoid upset bids. David Gertler and Yesh Ginsburg offer their predictions and we also have predictions for matches featuring Dominic Thiem and Novak Djokovic.
Juan Martin Del Potro vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Yesh: Nishioka is very quietly becoming an impressive and solid player, even on clay. He doesn’t have the power to stick with del Potro over the course of a long match, but this won’t be a straightforward victory. Del Potro in 5
David: Juan Martin del Potro looks to build off of Tuesday’s impressive performance when he takes on Yoshihito Nishioka. The Argentine has looked good on clay so far, beating Goffin and providing a huge challenge to Djokvic in Rome, and then coming back from a set down to beat Geneva finalist Nicolas Jarry. Nishioka is very consistent and will use his lefty forehand to force del Potro to hit a lot of backhands. But, he won’t be able to hit through del Potro enough to win more than a set. Del Potro in 4
Gael Monfils vs Adrian Mannarino
Yesh: The two Frenchmen will square off in a blockbuster match in Paris. Monfils looked dominant in his opening match, while Mannarino struggled with a player who he should have easily beaten. Monfils in 3
David: Gael Monfils raced through his first round match to set up a duel with Adrian Mannarino in the second round. Monfils put a weak showing in Rome behind him and lost only five games in the first round to Taro Daniel. Mannarino, who’s game does not adapt very well to clay, survived a five set tussle with Stefano Travaglia in the first round. These two have never matched up off of grass, which is Monfils’ worst surface and Mannarino’s best surface. Mannarino won’t be ahead in the head to head anymore by the end of tomorrow. Monfils in 3
Fabio Fognini vs Federico Delbonis
Yesh: Fognini looks calm and confident, and he reacted well to dropping a set against countryman Andreas Seppi. The Italian may drop another set, but he’s going to win this match. Fognini in 4
David: Fabio Fognini looks to continue his good form as he takes on Federico Delbonis. Fognini beat Rafael Nadal on his way to the Monte Carlo title, and is in food form, beating Andreas Seppi in the first round. Federico Delbonis is also playing well, coming within a set of making the Geneva final before losing to Alezander Zverev. He beat a tough clay courter, Guillermo Garcia Lopez in the first round. There’s been only one straight sets victory in the seven meetings between the two. Expect Fognini to get the win, but it will be tight. Fognini in 5
Borna Coric vs Lloyd Harris
Yesh: Lloyd Harris did well to outlast Lukas Rosol in the first match. He’ll be tired and against a superior foe this round, and it won’t be close. Coric in 3
David: Borna Coric will be the heavy favorite as he looks to make the third round against Lloyd Harris. Coric picked up a tough four-set victory in the first round against Aljaz Bedene, an underrated clay courter. Harris was a set away from elimination against Lukas Rosol, but came through in five sets. While Harris has had some success on clay at the Challenger level, he is 0-2 in ATP Tour main draw matches on clay this season. Coric, who is so consistent and such a great counterpuncher on this surface, should be able to wear down Harris. Coric in 3
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