Day 1 of the Paris Olympics tennis tournament is Saturday, and it kicks off the men’s and women’s singles and doubles events. In addition to our regular predictions of all singles matches, as a special treat for you us at LastWordOnTennis will be sharing predictions for the Olympics doubles matches. We also predict half of the day’s matches in a separate article–featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal teaming up. Predicting these matches are Damian Kust, Jim Smith, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will advance? (Note that in Olympic doubles, a third set is a match tiebreak–first team to ten points wins.)
As a special for the Olympics, we will also be predicting all of the day’s other matches, both singles and doubles. We will link to our other Olympic predictions at the bottom of the article. Enjoy!
Paris Olympics Day 1 Men’s Doubles Predictions
Dominik Koepfer and Jan-Lennard Struff (Germany) vs Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic (Croatia)
Damian:
Mektic/Pavic are the defending champions and used to dominate the doubles tour, but they haven’t played with each other for about a year. Their prior success and chemistry should probably still count for something though. They have to be slightly cautious here, combos like Struff’s serve and Koepfer’s hand skills tend to be relatively dangerous.
Prediction: Mektic and Pavic in 2
Jim:
The Croatian pair should not be taken lightly. Mate Pavic, in particular, has established himself as one of the world’s best in this format and has won just about every title there is to win. That includes winning the Gold Medal at the Tokyo Olympics with Nikola Mektic. Pavic has also just won the French Open. Jan-Lennard Struff’s power could win the Germans the match, but the Croatians seem the likelier pair.
Prediction: Mektic and Pavic in 2
Yesh:
The Croatians haven’t played together in a while and they’re not at their peaks, but they’re both great doubles players while the German team is just two cobbled-together singles players. The defending Gold Medalists should advance.
Prediction: Mektic and Pavic in 2
Arthur Fils and Ugo Humbert (France) vs Joran Vliegen and Sander Gille (Belgium)
Damian:
Gille/Vliegen shouldn’t be underestimated here, after so many years of playing together they understand each other on the court almost like no other pair in the draw. Fils/Humbert should be plenty of fun to watch here with the home crowd, but I’m leaning towards the quality Belgian duo who made the quarterfinals at Roland Garros this year.
Prediction: Vliegen and Gille in 2
Jim:
Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen have the advantage of playing together regularly, but that is where the advantages end for the Belgians. The reality is that the best players compete principally in singles and–whilst doubles does require a different skillset–Arthur Fils and Ugo Humbert’s achievements suggest they are simply better players that Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen.
Prediction: Fils and Humbert in 3
Yesh:
Olympic doubles always provides us weird matchups between more talented players against doubles specialists. The crowd might try to help the French pair, but the Belgians are just way too comfortable playing doubles. The Frenchmen aren’t.
Prediction: Vliegen and Gille in 2
Luciano Darderi and Lorenzo Musetti (Italy) vs Nicolas Jarry and Alejandro Tabilo (Chile)
Damian:
Sinner’s withdrawal also means Darderi is now playing with Musetti and this duo doesn’t generate the same medal hopes. For this match, it seems like you could just flip a coin. Jarry/Tabilo played a nice match at the ATP Cup a long time ago; let’s say that’s enough to give them a slight nod here.
Prediction: Jarry and Tabilo in 3
Jim:
This is a difficult match to call. None of the four regularly play doubles so it will be interesting to see how they adapt to the very different demands of this format. But given Alejandro Tabilo’s wonderful recent form (ignoring his first-round n Kitzbuhel) and Nicolas Jarry’s formidable power, the Chileans might just have enough.
Prediction: Jarry and Tabilo in 2
Yesh:
This might be the best match of the day. All four are rising youngsters with tons of potential. All four like clay. And none of the four have shown particular doubles prowess so far. Still, the shotmaking should be off the charts. Get some popcorn and flip a coin for this one.
Prediction: Musetti and Darderi in 3
Other Olympic Predictions:
Men’s Singles Featuring Novak Djokovic vs Matthew Ebden
Men’s Singles Featuring Carlos Alcaraz vs Hedy Habib
Men’s Singles Featuring Daniil Medvedev vs Rinky Hijikata
Men’s Singles Featuring Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Zizou Bergs
Women’s Singles Featuring Bianca Andreescu vs Clara Tauson
Women’s Singles Featuring Iga Swiatek vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Women’s Singles Featuring Karolina Muchova vs Leylah Fernandez
Women’s Singles Featuring Danielle Collins vs Laura Siegemund
Women’s Singles Featuring Including Naomi Osaka vs Angelique Kerber
Women’s Doubles Featuring Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula vs Daria Saville and Ellen Perez
Women’s Doubles Featuring Angelique Kerber and Laura Siegemund vs Katie Boulter and Heather Watson
Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
