With 24 first-round matches on the schedule on day two at the French Open, there should be plenty of entertaining action in Paris. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Casper Ruud vs Benoit Paire, Jannik Sinner vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Sam Querrey vs John Isner, Roger Federer vs Denis Istomin and Lorenzo Musetti vs David Goffin. Making their predictions for this group of matches are Jim Smith, Yesh Ginsburg and Damian Kust.
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Alexander Bublik vs Daniil Medvedev
Jim: This should be an interesting match. Daniil Medvedev, for all his professed dislike of the clay, has had some good results on the surface in the past, but he appears to have lost his way entirely over the past few weeks. He has also never won a match in Paris. Alexander Bublik is also not at his best on this surface, but the Kazakh should at least have some confidence in his game after reaching the quarterfinals in Madrid.
Prediction: Bublik in 5
Yesh: This could easily be the upset of the tournament – or one of them at least. Medvedev hates the clay, while Bublik is playing well and has exactly the game to trouble the Russian. Expect some fireworks in this one.
Prediction: Bublik in 5
Damian: Popcorn matchup if I’ve ever seen one. Both are wildly unpredictable and have spoken out about their hate for playing on clay. The mental side of the game will be extremely important here and the match may be won by the one who manages to control himself. Bublik’s serve seems to be doing more damage on clay, so maybe the number of free points will be the deciding factor.
Prediction: Bublik in 5
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Marin Cilic vs Arthur Rinderknech
Jim: Marin Cilic is one of several veterans in dire need of a good run in Paris. It has been another miserable season so far for the Croatian, with wins proving very hard to come by. Arthur Rinderknech, meanwhile, is still battling some inconsistencies, but the Frenchman has played some good tennis on the clay in recent weeks. With the French crowd behind him, he may well just have the measure of Cilic.
Prediction: Rinderknech in 4
Yesh: Rinderknech has been impressively solid the past few weeks, despite a bad loss in the first round in Belgrade, which should give the out-of-form Cilic some concern. Cilic is the better player, though, so he probably survives.
Prediction: Cilic in 5
Damian: Looking at his playstyle, Rinderknech shouldn’t be doing too well on clay. The Frenchman has been making it work though and should have a great shot at the slight upset here. Cilic has been only a shadow of the player he once was and he’s never played all that well on the dirt.
Prediction: Rinderknech in 5
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Gianluca Mager vs John Millman
Jim: John Millman has the fundamentals of a good clay-court game, but the Australian has enjoyed relatively success on the surface over the course of his career. Gianluca Mager, in contrast, is at his best on the terre battue. The Italian is yet to entirely convince at tour-level, but he has been making strides of late. Expect him to have the edge.
Prediction: Mager in 4
Yesh: Don’t underestimate Mager here. The 26-year-old Italian is talented and likes the clay. Ultimately, though, getting through the Millman attacking game for five sets is too much to ask.
Prediction: Millman in 4
Damian: Millman appears to have visibly raised his clay-court abilities this season, scoring a couple of good wins in the warm-ups. He should actually match up quite well against Gianluca Mager’s first-strike tennis but the much more natural clay-courter might still have a slight advantage here. Expect this to be a battle.
Prediction: Mager in 5
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Tommy Paul vs Christopher O’Connell
Jim: Christopher O’Connell looks to be close to a breakthrough, but the Australian is still a little short of firepower. The same can’t be said of the powerfully equipped Tommy Paul, whose forehand is surely amongst the most potent in the men’s game. The rest of his game is in need of improvement, but he can play on the clay and should have the beating of O’Connell.
Prediction: Paul in 4
Yesh: Paul is the random American that really seems to enjoy the clay. He’s not a threat to win the tournament, but he shouldn’t have trouble in this match.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Damian: O’Connell has only played one event since Miami, going through the qualifying in Belgrade, and seems quite far off his peak form. Paul might be flying under the radar after most of his runs in the warm-ups were cut short by elite opponents. The American should cruise here.
Prediction: Paul in 3
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