We have reached the second slam of the year as the best players in the world have descended upon Paris, France, for the 2024 French Open. As always, we at LWOT have roundtable previews and predictions for all matches happening around the grounds of Paris. Damian Kust and Jordan Reynolds are on the predictions for the four matches below.
French Open Men’s Day 1 Predictions
Ugo Humbert vs Lorenzo Sonego
Damian: This has been a bit of a common occurrence of late and while Sonego won at Roland Garros last year, Humbert recently got back at him on clay in Monte-Carlo. The Italian has been a much stronger clay-courter over the course of their careers, but that might not hold up anymore with their respective form this season. Humbert in 4
Jordan: Both players are very capable on clay but have not quite hit the heights they are capable of in the surface yet in 2024. Humbert often plays his best tennis in front of home crowds and he will hope to feed off the atmosphere at Roland-Garros. He will need to serve well and not allow Sonego to dictate with his forehand. The Frenchman is backed to win a tight match. Humbert in 5
Kei Nishikori vs Gabriel Diallo
Damian: Diallo might not have much clay experience, but it’s not like he can’t play on the surface and it brings the best out of him athletically. The Canadian survived three three-setters in the qualifying and gets this pretty nice draw against Nishikori, who for all we know might not even be fully fit. It’s a great chance for the youngster. Diallo in 5
Jordan: Nishikori’s courage to try and come back to the sport once again is quite inspirational after everything he has been through in recent years. Winning a best of five set match on his return seems like a big ask. If his level is solid and he comes through without any physical problems, that is already something of a victory for Nishikori. Diallo in 4
Jordan Thompson vs Maximilian Marterer
Damian: Thompson just barely missed out on a seeding, which would have been pretty funny as his clay game is a bit non-existent. He can still fight and grind though and that sometimes leads him to wins you wouldn’t expect on the dirt. Marterer has to be treating this as an opportunity. Can he take it with his own season not going as planned at all? Marterer in 5
Jordan: Both players have struggled for wins during the clay-court season. This is a tough match to call. Marterer will need to try and stop Thompson from dictating with his forehand to give himself the best chance of winning. The German is backed to do that enough to triumph in a close contest. Marterer in 5
Richard Gasquet vs Borna Coric
Damian: Gasquet is likely wrapping up his career after this year, unless he can remain around the Top 100. That seems like a tough task at the moment given where he is physically and a win at this event would be worth a lot. Even if Coric hasn’t been in good form though, does Gasquet have what it takes to stay on the court for three hours or more now? Coric in 4
Jordan: Gasquet is set to compete in an incredible 21st French Open. He is still playing a lot of good tennis. The physicality of matches has been his issue, with the 37-year-old losing his last eight matches that have lasted more than two hours and 20 minutes. That will make Coric hopeful of besting his opponent over five sets. Coric in 4
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
