Once again this year hopes for a home champion at the French Open are muted. Gael Monfils is one of the players that French fans will be pinning their hopes on though. His first round match is against Alexander Bublik. Yesh Ginsburg and Damian Kust give their predictions for this and other matches.
Gael Monfils vs Alexander Bublik
Damian: This could be one of the matches of the round. Monfils is not doing well at all recently but can he pick up his form for Roland Garros? The history of his career says he just might. His game is also better suited to the clay than Bublik’s. Monfils in 4
Yesh: Monfils has been entirely out of sorts since the return to play, though luckily for him Bublik isn’t in the best of forms either. Maybe the Frenchman can play his way into shape here. Monfils in 4
Tommy Paul vs James Duckworth
Damian: Tommy Paul is actually one of the Americans who can do extremely well on clay. He was a junior champion at Roland Garros five years ago and should be expected to do really well here again. Paul in 3
Yesh: Tommy Paul is steadily improving. James Duckworth looked like he could have a breakthrough years ago, but it hasn’t come through yet. Paul in 4
Filip Krajinovic vs Nikola Milojevic
Damian: It was a great effort from Nikola Milojevic to qualify. Still, it’s hard to imagine him beating Filip Krajinovic who’s usually solid as a rock and rarely loses to lower-ranked players when he’s in good form. Krajinovic in 4
Yesh: Krajinovic is quietly one of the best players on tour right now, and this draw shouldn’t bother him at all. Krajinovic in 3
Daniel Elahi Galan vs Cam Norrie
Damian: Daniel Elahi Galan entered the event as a lucky loser, following a loss to Henri Laaksonen. This is a great draw as he’s facing an opponent who just can’t find his game on this surface and done terribly in recent weeks. Galan in 4
Yesh: Norrie is always looking for success at Majors, and this draw gives him a good chance at winning a match or two. Norrie in 4
Main Photo:
