It promises to be an entertaining second day at the French Open with 24 matches on the slate in the men’s singles. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Jannik Sinner vs Arthur Rinderknech, Casper Ruud vs Albert Ramos Vinolas, Taylor Fritz vs Daniel Altmaier, Holger Rune vs Roberto Bautista Agut, and Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry. But who will advance?
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Carlos Alcaraz vs Giulio Zeppieri
Ilemona: Carlos Alcaraz should cruise past qualifier Giulio Zeppieri in easy fashion. The Spaniard enters Roland Garros as one of the favorites and is in top form after winning Monte Carlo and Rome. Zeppieri has talent but isn’t likely to trouble Alcaraz over five sets.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
Damian: Zeppieri qualifying four times in a row is a great achievement and so was his celebration with four fingers up. But while he won a match in the main draw in the last two editions, this just seems like a step too much against the main favorite of the entire tournament.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
Tope: The Italian was brilliant in the qualifiers yet again to make it to the main draw in Paris for the fourth consecutive season and even though he did nick a set against the defending champion in the Umag semifinal three years ago, and the Spaniard is the red-hot favorite to retain his title. This will go only one way.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
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Terence Atmane vs Richard Gasquet
Ilemona: Terence Atmane’s power and recent form give him the edge over veteran Richard Gasquet. While the crowd may back Gasquet in what could be his Roland Garros farewell, Atmane is favoured to win in four tight sets.
Prediction: Atmane in 4
Damian: Gasquet surprised last year by beating Coric in the opening round, maybe he can produce some on the verge of retirement magic here. The other musketeers did, Simon in Bercy or Tsonga when he was going toe-to-toe with Ruud here. Given he’s playing Atmane who doesn’t have much experience at these stages, it doesn’t seem impossible?
Prediction: Gasquet in 5
Tope: Gasquet’s French Open swansong is bound to elicit a lot of emotions and its up to the younger Australian to handle the moment and the pressure of playing in front of an extremely partisan Parisian crowd. All in all, I expect the veteran to make something of his final hooray!
Prediction: Gasquet in 4
Pablo Llamas Ruiz vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Ilemona: Davidovich Fokina is the clear favorite against Llamas Ruiz, who’s playing with a protected ranking and had to battle through the qualifying rounds to get here. Expect a win for the older Spaniard but a long, drawn out match cannot be ruled out with Fokina involved.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 5
Damian: Llamas Ruiz finally gets something going after struggling with injuries for about a year, even despite having to save two match points on return in the qualifying. He’s so crafty and it should be a good matchup to watch. Ultimately you’d expect Davidovich Fokina to pull through, but don’t be surprised if it’s a little tougher than expected.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 4
Tope: This all-Spanish encounter is a tricky one for the favorite and their first meeting adds an air if uncertainty to the outcome. Debutant, Llamas Ruis delivered tow bagels in the qualifiers and will be ready to take advantage of any slip up against his more accomplished compatriot but I expect to Fokina to rely on his experience to prevent an upset.
Prediction: Fokina in 4
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Francisco Cerundolo vs Gabriel Diallo
Ilemona: Francisco Cerundolo is favoured to win against Gabriel Diallo. Although Diallo won their previous encounter on indoor hard courts, Cerundolo’s strong clay-court performance this season, including deep runs in Munich and Madrid, gives him the advantage on this surface. Expect a competitive match, but Cerundolo’s clay-court prowess should see him through.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 4
Damian: Cerundolo has been one of the best players this year and with two fourth round appearances in the last two editions, you have to be looking at him as a potential dark horse again. It’s not the easiest opening draw, but on the Parisian clay you’d think Diallo will not have enough help from the conditions to blast through him.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 4
Tope: Even though Diallo leads 1-0 in their head-to-head, the dynamics have changed now. The Argentine has been one of the most consistent players on tour this season and it is expected he betters the fourth round reach he’s made in the last two championships in Paris.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 4
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
