On a packed day two at the French Open, there are 24 first-round matches on the slate. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match across the board, including Casper Ruud vs Benoit Paire, Roger Federer vs Denis Istomin, Alexander Bublik vs Daniil Medvedev, Sam Querrey vs John Isner and Lorenzo Musetti vs David Goffin. Making their picks for this group of matches are Jim Smith, Yesh Ginsburg and Damian Kust.
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Jannik Sinner vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Jim: There are few players with more aesthetically pleasing games than Pierre-Hugues Herbert, but the Frenchman is better suited to playing doubles, with his movement a weakness. With Jannik Sinner in fine form and possessing the power to dictate to opponents, expect the Italian to advance without encountering too many problems.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Yesh: Sinner was in brutal form last French Open. He looked good enough to win the tournament last year, but ran into the unbeatable force that is Rafael Nadal. He’s not quite been at that level this year, but he’s still a major threat on clay.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Damian: Last year’s quarterfinalist had a mediocre clay-court season and playing a Frenchman at Roland Garros is always quite tough. But Pierre-Hugues Herbert is rarely able to execute his all-court game well enough on this surface and it should give Jannik Sinner quite a bit of breathing space.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
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Francisco Cerundolo vs Thiago Monteiro
Jim: This match should provide a fine example of clay-court tennis, with long baseline rallies likely to be the order of the day. But of the pair, it is Francisco Cerundolo who has been in the better form of late and, as a lucky loser, he can swing freely. He should just about have the edge here.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 4
Yesh: Cerundolo got into the tournament as a Lucky Loser, but this draw is pretty lucky for him. Both Cerundolo brothers have a real future ahead of them, and one’s going to get a chance to make a run at this tournament.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 4
Damian: Monteiro hasn’t been playing too well leading up to Roland Garros, while Cerundolo had a qualifying campaign full of dips in level and finally ended up getting the lucky loser spot. With the Brazilian not in great form, perhaps getting a second chance all of a sudden can give him a chance to reset mentally. Should be a tough battle.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 5
Taylor Fritz vs Joao Sousa
Jim: Joao Sousa’s sudden and marked decline has been one of the stranger storylines in the men’s game. He has looked like a man who could not buy a win at points this season and although there have been some signs of life, they have been few and far between. Taylor Fritz remains a largely indifferent clay-courter, but with the Portuguese in such poor touch expect the 30th seed to book his spot in the second round.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
Yesh: Fritz doesn’t hate the clay – making the third round at the French Open last season – and Sousa isn’t quite in the best form right now. The American should pick up the win.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
Damian: Sousa has been in awful form in the past year or so and isn’t even the top-ranked Portuguese anymore. Fritz is way better on clay than his sort of unnatural movement on it would suggest and should also get lots of free points on serve here too.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
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Lloyd Harris vs Lorenzo Sonego
Jim: Lorenzo Sonego put together the breakthrough run that he had long been threatening in Rome, delighting the Italian crowds by reaching the semifinals. Up against the power of Lloyd Harris, he may need his best tennis, or at least something close to it, but if he does expect him to get the better of the South African.
Prediction: Sonego in 4
Yesh: Harris has been improving and impressing the last few years. It’s gone under the radar, but Rome Masters semifinalist Sonego is really good on this surface and should be able to have a good result here.
Prediction: Sonego in 4
Damian: Sonego had an excellent run in Rome and he’s definitely among the most dangerous of the lower seeds. Harris had a brilliant start to the season but slowed down since coming onto the clay and if the Italian is anywhere close to his level from three weeks ago, he should be able to dominate.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
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