The 2020 French Open is here, and US Open finalist Alexander Zverev is back on action on day 1 against Dennis Novak. Steen Kirby and Damian Kust offer their predictions for this and all of the other day 1 matches.
Alexander Zverev vs Dennis Novak
Damian: We’re yet to see how Alexander Zverev reacts to the US Open final meltdown but we need to expect he focuses on the positive takeaways. The conditions this year in Paris might suit him, at least based on what we got from the players so far. Zverev in 3
Steen: Losing the US Open final was brutal for Zverev, but making it all the way to that point was a massive accomplishment. Novak is typical round 1 fodder for top players in slams, and winning a match like this routinely is key for Zverev being able to play his best in the later rounds of the French Open and other slams. Expect Zverev to smash his way to a routine win. Zverev in 3
Borna Coric vs Norbert Gombos
Damian: Coric had a great run at the US Open and his gritty baseline tennis can be a nightmare for someone looking to play more aggressively like Gombos. The Croat struggles with generating pace but he’ll be playing off his opponent here more. Coric in 4
Steen: The US Open Quarterfinalist Coric presents a likely insurmountable challenge for Gombos. Gombos is a capable player, but Coric is an entirely different level when he’s at or near his best. Coric in 3
Federico Delbonis vs Juan Ignacio Londero
Damian: Delbonis pretty much crushed Londero in Kitzbuhel and we haven’t really seen anything since that match that would convince me the result will be different here. It probably won’t be as easy, but still relatively comfortable. Delbonis in 3
Steen: Londero and Delbonis have split h2h meetings though Londero’s form has been middling in the brief time the tour has been back underway. Given Delbonis just beat Londero in Kitzbuhel, he has the edge against his countryman once again. Delbonis in 3
Benoit Paire vs Soon Woo Kwon
Damian: After all the mess with Benoit Paire and the unreliable COVID-19 testing, I don’t expect the Frenchman to be very focused on the court out there. And Kwon is surely solid enough to take advantage of that. Kwon in 4
Steen: Benoit Paire is in terrible form and he’s been distracted by a false positive for COVID-19. Given he’s not at his best when playing distracted, Kwon, the young talent, should be the one to advance. Kwon in 5
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