The final ATP Masters event of the year is taking place in Paris. Reverting to the week-long format basically guarantees some very explosive first rounds, with De Minaur taking on Murray and Paul taking on Gasquet early doors. We’ve looked to predict some of these matches on the first day of action.
ATP Paris Masters Day 1 Predictions
Alexei Popyrin vs Nicolas Jarry
Head-to-head: Jarry 1-0 Popyrin
Alexei Popyrin and Nicolas Jarry are players of the same mold. Forehands built for clay and towering serves with more than enough firepower to cause some upsets. There won’t be much in it here but the improvements to Jarry’s game make him incrementally more effective from the back of the court than the Aussie so we’re backing him in three.
Prediction: Jarry in 3
Laslo Djere vs Luca Van Assche
Head-to-head: First meeting
Luca Van Assche has a massive upside with the power he brings to the court. It’s the weight of shot that’s a little more effective on a clay-court, however, and Laslo Djere will know this. The Serbian’s game is also more suited to the red dirt but his rally temperament will be a pain for Van Assche to deal with in these conditions.
The X factor in this match-up is the crowd. They will get behind Van Assche and his game could peak at the right moments to actually notch the win here.
Prediction: Van Assche in 3
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Tommy Paul vs Richard Gasquet
Head-to-head: Gasquet 1-0 Paul
Tommy Paul is in his element indoors. His first title in Stockholm was testament to this, his great transition game really allowing him to impose his game on all manner of players in steady conditions. Even with the French crowd behind Richard Gasquet, it’s difficult to see him defeating the American in less than ideal conditions for his game. Maybe there will be a few bumps in the road but we’re backing Paul over the long haul.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Andy Murray vs Alex de Minaur
Head-to-head: De Minaur 5-0 Murray
Five matches played, five matches lost for Andy Murray against Alex de Minaur. It’s not a coincidence–de Minaur’s wall-like game is a nightmare for Murray to breakthrough, especially given his early-taken returns are ineffective against the Aussie’s baseline hugging abilities. Still, their last match was particularly close. Murray should really have taken it given he was up 5-2 which will unfortunately only add to the scar tissue.
Prediction: De Minaur in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
