Sunday at the French Open is opening the show with some exciting match-ups, including a French derby and Ben Shelton’s debut. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. Who do you think will be victorious on Day 1?
French Open Day 1 Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Constant Lestienne
Jakub Bobro: Lestienne has not managed to finish his last two matches coming into Roland Garros. His fitness is questionable at best so don’t expect any issues here for Khachanov.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
Damian Kust: Constant Lestienne had to retire from three of his last five matches and hasn’t won since February. The Frenchman has been battling physical issues all year and we’ll see how fit he even is when Sunday comes. Karen Khachanov should be very safely through to the second round here.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Jim Smith: Thanks to his power and athleticism Karen Khachanov’s game is well-suited to the clay. The Russian has had a slightly up-and-down season, but with the added security of best-of-five sets, it would be a real surprise to see him beaten here.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
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Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Dan Evans
Jakub: Expect this one to go the distance. Evans is quite inconsistent on clay with high highs and low lows and the slower surface will give Kokkinakis more time to set up forehands into Evans’ one-hander. The two had a great battle at the Nottingham Challenger in 2021 with Evans winning in the deciding set tiebreaker and I could see Kokkinakis returning the favor here.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 5
Damian: A couple of underrated clay-courters here. Dan Evans is a fierce competitor who manages to showcase his other assets despite his slice sitting up on the dirt, while the spin on Thanasi Kokkinakis’s forehand cooperates with the surface well. Maybe a slight nod to the Aussie with how good his mix of placement and power can be on that wing?
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 5
Jim: This could go either way. Thanasi Kokkinakis is probably better suited to clay-court tennis, but injuries prevented the Australian from accomplishing what he might have and Dan Evans is a canny operator. That said, he hasn’t won a match since reaching the semifinals in Barcelona in April.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 5
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Arthur Cazaux vs Corentin Moutet
Jakub: Moutet’s backhand is not back to its best and most of his matches since the comeback have reflected that fact in the scoreline, though the Frenchman did score a win over Dominic Thiem at the Bordeaux Challenger. Cazaux’s talent is evident though he is coming off a loss to Nino Serdarusic in Geneva qualifying. Moutet will employ every dark art and bring the best out of himself in this match but if Cazaux can meet the moment and keep a handle on his emotions, the 20-year-old should win out.
Prediction: Cazaux in 4
Damian: Corentin Moutet is back after an injury but still can’t hit his backhand properly, either using the one-hander or just slicing it all the time. He’s still pretty competitive like that, but has to play even more to the right side of the court than before to try to find his forehand on every ball. An uber-talented youngster like Arthur Cazaux should like this opportunity.
Jim: The future is bright for Arthur Cazaux. But that bright future is not quite here yet. Corentin Moutet can be a combustible presence on court, but he has a good range of shots and should be able to work out a way to get the better of his younger countryman, even if he has to go the distance to do it.
Prediction: Moutet in 5
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Ben Shelton vs Lorenzo Sonego
Jakub: Shelton has really committed to his first red clay season, playing as many matches on the surface as he could. The American’s game has potential even on clay but the experience is just not there yet to pick him over a solid clay player like Sonego, coming off a third round in Rome.
Prediction: Sonego in 4
Damian: Ben Shelton’s clay season is first and foremost a learning experience and it feels like it will give him an advantage in the future. For now, he’ll probably end it against the much more natural clay courter in Lorenzo Sonego, who’s definitely not among the easiest draws he could have received.
Prediction: Sonego in 4
Jim: Ben Shelton has demonstrated an impressive aptitude for the clay, at least for a player who was not raised on the surface. But he has lost his last two matches and this is not a particularly kind draw for the American. Lorenzo Sonego has not been in particularly good form himself of late, but he played well enough in Rome to suggest that he could get the better of Shelton here.
Prediction: Sonego in 5
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
