Grigor Dimitrov and Alexander Zverev are looking to make an impact in the 2021 French Open. Here is a look at their round 1 matchups. We also have predictions for the rest of the Day 1 matches, spread across four other articles. One features Pablo Andujar vs Dominic Thiem, another highlights Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Jeremy Chardy, the third headlines Kei Nishikori vs Alessandro Giannessi, and the fourth features Fabio Fognini vs Gregoire Barrere.
Marton Fucsovics vs Gilles Simon
Jim Smith: Gilles Simon increasingly looks like a spent force, with the Frenchman having lost half-a-step, a damaging blow for a player whose success was so heavily reliant on his court coverage. With Marton Fucsovics in largely solid form, despite a disappointingly early exit in Geneva, this should be a relatively comfortable outing for the Hungarian. Fucsovics in 3
Damian Kust: You always know what you’re going to get with Marton Fucsovics and while the same could have been said about Gilles Simon in the past, the Frenchman is now clearly nearing the end of his career. With two wins in eight events this season, he’s simply not feeling great on the court at the moment. Fucsovics in 3
Guido Pella vs Daniel Elahi Galan
Jim: It has been a thoroughly miserable few months for Guido Pella. The Argentine, who has been ranked as high as world #20, has won just two matches this season and one of those came via his opponent’s retirement. Daniel Elahi Galan, in contrast, should be full of confidence after an impressive campaign in the qualifying. Expect him to be the man to reach the second round. Galan in 4
Damian: Guido Pella has been just terrible this season, winning a mere two matches thus far. Daniel Elahi Galan struggled in the final round of qualifying but he made the third round here last year and has an unbelievable advantage in terms of match rhythm. Galan in 3
Grigor Dimitrov vs Marcos Giron
Jim: Grigor Dimitrov is not much of a clay-courter, with the French Open the only Major at which the Bulgarian has never reached the second week. That wait may well go on for him, but it would be a surprise were he to fall at the first hurdle. Marcos Giron played well in the qualifying, but the American’s game is fairly one-dimensional and Dimitrov’s court-craft should give him a decisive edge. Dimitrov in 4
Damian: It’s been years since Grigor Dimitrov was a realistic threat on clay, but he also doesn’t go below a certain level. Expecting a deep run would be naive, but he’s probably playing well enough to pounce on a rather easy draw here. Dimitrov in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Oscar Otte
Jim: Arriving in Paris after an impressive clay-court season so far, Alexander Zverev will surely have high hopes of making an impact at the French Open, particularly with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the other half of the draw. It is still hard to see him going all the way in the French capital, but he should be able to get the better of his countryman without encountering many problems. Zverev in 3
Damian: The lower-ranked of the Germans had a brilliant qualifying campaign and can punch through a good defender when his serve is clicking. The issue is Alexander Zverev is much more than just a good defender and it would take a tremendous effort from Oscar Otte to mix up power and consistency well enough to win here. Zverev in 4
Main Photo:
