Day four at the French Open should provide plenty of entertaining action for the fans. There are 16 second-round matches on the slate and, as ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Fabio Fognini vs Marton Fucsovics, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Pedro Martinez and Karen Khachanov vs Kei Nishikori. But who will come out on top?
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Tommy Paul vs Daniil Medvedev
Jim: Daniil Medvedev, expected by many (including this writer) to lose in the first round after a torrid clay-court season, instead produced his best performance for some time to dismiss Alexander Bublik in straight-sets. But Tommy Paul is probably a better clay-courter than the Kazakh and one swallow doesn’t make a summer. Plus, the American is overdue a big win.
Prediction: Paul in 4
Yesh: For the first time in his career, Medvedev looks comfortable on clay. That’s unfortunate news for Paul, the rare American man who likes the red dirt.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Damian: Medvedev suddenly looked very convincing against Bublik, although admittedly this was nothing like a typical clay-court match. Paul will give us a better indication of where the Russian’s game is at, but after a marathon win over O’Connell, Paul’s fuel tank might be a bit too drained.
Prediction: Medvedev in 4
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Filip Krajinovic vs John Isner
Jim: John Isner’s efforts over the last few weeks have gone largely unnoticed, but they have demonstrated the American’s enduring quality. Backed by a serve that is amongst the most reliable weapons in this game, he can still do some damage and proved far too strong for his countryman Sam Querrey in the first round. With Filip Krajinovic playing rather indifferent tennis, expect Isner to return to the third round at the French Open for the first time since 2018.
Prediction: Isner in 5
Yesh: Isner looked strong in the first round. While the former-Paris Masters finalist Krajinovic is improving and returning to his old form, outlasting the marathon-man Isner is always a tough ask.
Prediction: Isner in 5
Damian: The conditions at this year’s Roland Garros seem to be suiting Isner’s game really well. He’s been reaping the profits from more time to set up his forehand on clay lately, and Krajinovic will have to be on top of his counter-punching to win this. Should be very tight.
Prediction: Isner in 5
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Alexander Zverev vs Roman Safiullin
Jim: There was something altogether predictable about Alexander Zverev’s five-set slog in the first round. But the German did at least finish strongly against his countryman Oscar Otte and he has since had two days to rest and recover. He should have too much for Roman Safiullin, despite the Russian qualifier’s fine showing so far at Roland Garros.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Yesh: Zverev struggled mightily with a qualifier in the first round. His punishment? He gets another one. But this should be more straightforward for the Madrid Open champion.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Damian: Safiullin had not won a clay-court match this season when he arrived in Paris for the French Open qualifying, but his miraculous run has now taken him to the second round. Zverev looked vulnerable against Otte, but the Russian probably can’t sustain quite the same level of attacking play, even for a couple of sets.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
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Federico Delbonis vs Pablo Andujar
Jim: Pablo Andujar scored what was surely the win of his career by coming from two sets down to beat the struggling Dominic Thiem, just two weeks after he had also beaten Roger Federer in Geneva. It is proving to be quite the Indian summer for the Spanish veteran and he should have enough to keep the good times rolling against Federico Delbonis.
Prediction: Andujar in 4
Yesh: Delbonis is solid on clay, but he gets to face the newly resurgent Andujar. I have no idea how the Spaniard has improved so much at 35 years old, but he’s playing the best tennis of his career and will be full of confidence.
Prediction: Andujar in 4
Damian: This is low-key the match of the round. Delbonis is leading the tour in match wins on clay this season, whilst Andujar has pulled out two stunning wins in the space of just 13 days. The Spaniard is the one who performs at a more steady level and should be extremely high on confidence after the Thiem upset.
Prediction: Andujar in 5
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