With the last ATP Masters of the tennis season just about to start in Paris, we take a look at some of the Day 1 matchups. With some very interesting and exciting matches in the first round, Last Word on Tennis shares our predictions for the matches. Who do you think will win?
ATP Paris Day 1 Predictions
John Isner vs Oscar Otte
John Isner has not played since August and the US Open. Having fractured his wrist during the first round win against Federico Delbonis, the American is the eighth highest ranked U.S. men’s player. His current ranking is #47 in the world. Isner will be very rusty coming into this match.
His opponent Oscar Otte, on the other hand, has played regularly since losing in the first round at the US Open. The German has come through the qualifying to reach this match up. This will be the first meeting of the pair. The German is younger, with more matches under his belt.
Prediction: Otte in 3
Alex Molcan vs Richard Gasquet
Alex Molcan is the #1 Slovakian male tennis player and #46 in the world. Since the US Open, Molcan has not had a great season. Playing twice and making the second round at the Swiss Indoors event as the best spot of the two tournaments.
Richard Gasquet has a lot more matches going into Paris. The Frenchman is also on home turf, and this counts for a lot where the crowds are involved. Gasquet made the semifinal in the European Open, where second seed Félix Auger-Aliassime stopped him. A first match up for the two, but Gasquet will have the edge.
Prediction: Gasquet in 2
Marin Cilic vs Lorenzo Musetti
These two have played once before and the Croatian won that. Marin Cilic lost to Novak Djokovic earlier this month in the final in Tel Aviv. That has been followed up with two early exits at the next events he played. However, Cilic does have the advantage of having met his opponent once before.
Lorenzo Musetti has two semifinal finishes and a title (at the Napoli Cup) since the US Open, along with a couple of early exits. The Italian will want to even the score, but Cilic is the seeded player. This will certainly be a good match but Cilic has the edge.
Prediction: Cilic in 2
Alexander Bublik vs Mikael Ymer
Alexander Bublik has been consistent since the US Open. With one final and two quarterfinal spots to his name, the Kazakh is in good form going into Paris. Bublik has played Ymer once before and the Kazakh claimed that match in three sets.
Mikael Ymer has two quarterfinals and a semifinal to his name since the US Open. The Swede is also in excellent form coming into Paris. Ymer has come through qualifying so will be a danger as those with matches on the same courts usually are. This will be another close match between the pair.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
