With 24 intriguing first-round matches on the slate on day two at the French Open, there should be plenty of entertaining tennis for the fans. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Casper Ruud vs Benoit Paire, Roger Federer vs Denis Istomin, Alexander Bublik vs Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Sam Querrey vs John Isner. Making their picks for this group of matches are Jim Smith, Yesh Ginsburg and Damian Kust.
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Reilly Opelka vs Andrej Martin
Jim: Thanks to his formidable power, both off the ground and from the line, Reilly Opelka has game well-suited to the clay, demonstrating as much with an impressive run to the semifinals in Rome. It’s hard to see him making the last four in Paris, but a run to the second week might not be beyond the big American.
Prediction: Opelka in 3
Yesh: Opelka is my pick to make the quarterfinals here. He has both the game and the draw to do it. Don’t sleep on the in-form American.
Prediction: Opelka in 3
Damian: The American’s semifinal run from Rome will be really tough to repeat. Clay’s higher bounce suits his forehand very well but there is always an opportunity for a good grinder to expose his limitations. Martin just took a set off Novak Djokovic in Belgrade and he’s the kind of player who won’t go down easily. Still, Opelka’s monstrous power should suffice.
Prediction: Opelka in 4
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Lorenzo Musetti vs David Goffin
Jim: This should be some match. It is an unlucky draw for both. Goffin is searching for wins after a disappointing spell that includes a first-round exit in Lyon, whilst Musetti will surely be targeting a deep run in Paris. He may not manage that, but the Italian teenager has been playing well enough to get the better of the struggling Goffin.
Prediction: Musetti in 4
Yesh: This match has serious upset potential. Goffin is not in his best form right now, and Musetti is an underrated rising player who is at his best on the clay. Give me the Italian.
Prediction: Musetti in 4
Damian: Musetti might not be ready to achieve what Jannik Sinner did last year, but he might follow him in eliminating David Goffin in the opening round. Nerves might come into play since it’s his Grand Slam debut, but the Belgian is not having a terrific time on the court right now. Musetti might be able to capitalize on that.
Prediction: Musetti in 5
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Cameron Norrie vs Bjorn Fratangelo
Jim: Bjorn Fratangelo is a former-champion in the French Open boy’s singles, but the American has struggled to forge a successful career in the professional ranks, with his career-high ranking of world #99 surely a disappointment to the American after such a promising junior career. He did play very well to come through the qualifying and he could test Cameron Norrie. But the Briton is the better player and should have too much.
Prediction: Norrie in 4
Yesh: Norrie has very quietly been one of the most successful players on tour this year. He’s found his form on clay, and he shouldn’t struggle with a qualifier.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Damian: Even with all the recent improvements Cameron Norrie has made, this is far from an automatic win. Bjorn Fratangelo can dictate the rallies with his forehand well and has the ability to make the Brit work for this win. It should work out for Norrie in the end though.
Prediction: Norrie in 4
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Jaume Munar vs Jordan Thompson
Jim: This does not seem likely to be competitive. Jaume Munar may struggle away from his preferred clay, but the Spaniard is a formidable opponent on the red clay. Jordan Thompson, in contrast, has never shown much of an aptitude for playing on the surface. Expect this to be a straightforward day at the office for Munar.
Prediction: Munar in 3
Yesh: Munar plays too defensively to make deep runs at this level, but that style should suit him well against the Australian Thompson on this surface.
Prediction: Munar in 4
Damian: Outside of a third-round appearance here in 2019, most of Jordan Thompson’s results on clay haven’t been particularly impressive. Jaume Munar is having a much better season, highlighted by his maiden ATP final at Marbella. The Spaniard should score a relatively comfortable win here.
Prediction: Munar in 3
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