Sunday at the French Open is opening the show with some exciting match-ups, including Sebastian Korda and Lorenzo Musetti playing their openers. 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
Jason Kubler vs Facundo Diaz Acosta
Andreas Pelekis: The Argentine lost in the last round of qualifying but comes back as a lucky loser to face Jason Kubler. Remarkably, Diaz Acosta was on a 10-match winning streak prior to Paris, and won two Challenger Tour titles along the way. Being a lucky loser will give the Argentinian new motivation in this tournament, and expect an upset.
Prediction: Diaz Acosta in 3
Damian Kust: Facundo Diaz Acosta came to Paris on a 10-match win streak and he almost kept it up until the main draw, only losing to Sebastian Ofner in the final qualifying round. He’s an improving player with a top-100 future though and against someone who’s in somewhat mediocre chance, could have his chances at winning on his Slam debut.
Prediction: Diaz Acosta in 5
Jakub Bobro: Diaz Acosta is 12-1 in his last 13 matches, winning Challenger titles in Savannah and Oeiras, only losing to Sebastian Ofner in the final qualifying. The Argentine definitely deserves his second chances and after Kubler’s middling form on European clay, I expect him to take it even further
Prediction: Diaz Acosta in 4
Maxime Cressy vs Sebastian Ofner
Andreas: Cressy is yet to win a match on clay this season, whereas Ofner has shown good form in recent challenger tour events and qualified for the main draw. Ofner is on his ideal surface, while Cressy’s best form comes out of grass and hard courts.
Prediction: Ofner in 4
Damian: The draw for Sebastian Ofner really couldn’t be any better and I’m not talking just about the first round. Maxime Cressy hasn’t won a match since February and even though his serve-and-volleying style is tough to execute on clay, he usually wasn’t doing that poorly on the surface. He is this year.
Prediction: Ofner in 4
Jakub: Cressy is one of the easiest opponents to draw here. The American’s style is unsuited to clay and he is carrying an eight-match losing streak, last tasting victory in February. Ofner has been a menace on the Challenger Tour, reaching final after final and stopping Diaz Acosta’s 12-match win streak in the final qualifying round. The favorite here is clear.
Prediction: Ofner in 3
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Sebastian Korda vs Mackenzie McDonald
Andreas: An all-American affair, except neither player is anywhere near their best. Korda is coming off a wrist injury sustained at the Australian Open and lost his last two matches on clay. McDonald similarly hasn’t won a match on clay this season and finds himself on a six-match losing streak.
Prediction: McDonald in 5
Damian: Sebastian Korda hasn’t won a match since his injury, going out in his opener both in Madrid and Rome. This could be a good chance to get back on track as Mackenzie McDonald’s clay game is all over the place. Maybe Korda gradually improves with each set and takes this in four or five?
Prediction: Korda in 5
Jakub: Both players were winless on clay, McDonald going 0-5 while Korda lost his Madrid and Rome openers to Hugo Grenier and Roman Safiullin, returning from his injury. McDonald turns up for the slams though and with Korda yet to win a set in this comeback, I have very little confidence in the 22-year-old.
Prediction: McDonald in 4
Lorenzo Musetti vs Mikael Ymer
Andreas: After his Lyon outburst and subsequent default, It will be considered a victory for Ymer if he doesn’t smash the umpire’s chair. Musetti is slowly learning the ins and outs of being a top 20 player and should win comfortably here.
Prediction: Musetti in 3
Damian: Mikael Ymer’s default in Lyon made headlines, but at least the good sign for the Swede is that he’s now back in match shape. Lorenzo Musetti is generally quite upsettable and often doesn’t clean up matches he should be winning, but it’s also kinda hard to see how Ymer puts him under enough pressure off the ground.
Prediction: Musetti in 4
Jakub: Musetti put together some nice runs this clay season, making the semifinals in Barcelona and the fourth round in Rome. Ymer got defaulted from his last match in Lyon, hitting the umpire’s chair with his racket after he refused to go check a mark. The Swede will make Musetti play but the Italian should win out here.
Prediction: Musetti in 4
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
