The French Open rolls on to day 3, which features Philipp Kohlschreiber vs Cristian Garin in a clay court battle. Our panel of Steen Kirby and Damian Kust offer their predictions.
Vasek Pospisil vs Matteo Berrettini
Damian: Feels like a possible upset but Pospisil has done next to nothing on clay in his whole career. Even though he was in great form, it’s hard to see what he can bring to the table to surprise Berrettini here. Berretini in 3
Steen: This is not a surface Pospisil is very threatening on. Berrettini should be able to cruise on to the next round and more challenging opposition. Berrettini in 3
Philipp Kohlschreiber vs Cristian Garin
Damian: Kohlschreiber played pretty solid tennis in Hamburg but his decline has been going at a rapid pace lately. Garin almost upset Stefanos Tsitsipas last week and is currently among the world’s best players on the clay. Garin in 4
Steen: Garin is a name to watch and has dark horse potential this French Open. Kohlschreiber is a pesky opponent, but he’s a shell of his former self. Garin should rise to the occasion. Garin in 3
Dusan Lajovic vs Gianluca Mager
Damian: Gianluca Mager was the Rio Open runner-up in February but hasn’t really managed to find that form again. Besides the big first serve, he doesn’t really have much to hurt the extremely solid baseliner that Lajovic is. Lajovic in 3
Steen: Lajovic’s more well rounded game makes him the favorite here against the hot and cold Mager. Lajovic in 3
Steve Johnson vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Damian: Steve Johnson would surely like to contest this on a faster surface. Carballes Baena has a solid clay court game based on getting shots back and it should be enough to expose Johnson’s weaker backhand. Carballes Baena in 4
Steen: Johnson is another American who is poor on clay. He should fall to a member of the Spanish Armada, RCB. Carballes Baena in 3
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