The French Open rolls on to day 3, which features Hamburg champion Andrey Rublev vs American Sam Querrey. Our panel of Steen Kirby and Damian Kust offer their predictions.
Sam Querrey vs Andrey Rublev
Damian: With the form Andrey Rublev has been in recently, it seems everything is possible for the young Russian. Provided he isn’t too tired from his Hamburg run, it’s hard to see him struggle against an opponent who never really enjoyed playing on the clay. Rublev in 3
Steen: Rublev is playing great, but the short break is always a risk in am atch like this. Querrey is capable and will put in some effort, though he’s clearly outmatched on the surface. Rublev will aim to finish this quickly so he doesn’t get exhausted. Rublev in 3
Quentin Halys vs Marcos Giron
Damian: We don’t know much about Giron’s clay-court game now but it’s not like Halys has impressed on the Challenger Tour lately. This could go the distance but I’ll go with Giron edging it because he was playing good tennis recently, even if it wasn’t on clay. Giron in 5
Steen: A mystery of a match, Halys is at home but Giron is playing better, neither player has a lengthy resume to draw from. It’s a coin flip but I’ll go with Halys. Halys in 4
Ugo Humbert vs Marc Polmans
Damian: The Frenchman played great clay court tennis in Hamburg, showing a level we didn’t really suspect he had. Polmans did well to qualify but it should be the end of the road here. Humbert in 3
Steen: Polmans is thrilled to qualify but an in-form Humbert at home feels dangerous right now. Look for the French player to keep up his momentum. Humbert in 3
Gregoire Barrere vs Grigor Dimitrov
Damian: This feels like a good draw for Dimitrov and a possibility for a good run. Clay definitely isn’t his best surface but he has the skillset and the flexibility to cover the court well and build long, attacking rallies. Dimitrov in 3
Steen: Dimitrov isn’t a world beater these days, but he’s still good enough to win a match like this. Barrere is an unheralded player, and I don’t see him carving a name out for himself by winning this match. Dimitrov in 3
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