The French Open continues on day three with 20 men’s singles matches, including 2024 runner-up Alexander Zverev vs Learner Tien. Our other prediction pieces feature Novak Djokovic vs Mackenzie McDonald, Daniil Medvedev vs Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper vs Matteo Bellucci, and Gael Monfils vs Hugo Dellien. Ateet Shrivastava, Nurein Ahmed, and Tope Oke offer their insights. But who will advance to the second round?
French Open Men’s Day 3 Predictions
Adam Walton vs Maximilian Marterer
Ateet
Adam Walton hasn’t played a match on clay since Houston and has been playing hard-court Challenger events. He has never won a match at the French Open, and Maximilian Marterer looked great in the qualifying rounds.
Prediction: Marterer in 4
Nurein
Walton has been a sensation on the Challenger Tour, but he hasn’t played a lot of tennis on clay in his career. He has a lifetime record of 3-5 on the surface. Marterer is the experienced man here with proven clay pedigree and came through a strong qualifying campaign in his first tournament since January.
Prediction: Marterer in 4
Tope
Although Walton boasts a significantly higher ranking, Marterer has far more experience and success on clay and will be confident after his qualifying performance. Give me the German to continue his resurgence.
Prediction: Marterer in 4
Alex de Minaur vs Laslo Djere
Ateet
Alex de Minaur has not had a deep run since the Monte-Carlo Masters, but he has not taken a bad loss in any of the recent tournaments. This would be another tough matchup for the Australian, especially if Djere brings his best level. Djere looked in good touch in Rome and plays his best tennis on clay. De Minaur is a consistent player and made the quarterfinals last year, but he can be vulnerable on this surface. I am going for the upset if Djere’s body holds up.
Prediction: Djere in 5
Nurein
De Minaur drew one of the dangerous unseeded players in the first round. Djere is one of those players the top seeds would have been to avoid. That said, De Minaur should prevail if he maximizes his skillset. He’s got the speed to outmaneuver Djere, but the Serbian is notorious for making his opponents work for the win.
Prediction: de Minaur in 5
Tope
De Minaur has the ability to outlast any opponent on tour, and while Djere may not be the easiest first-round competitor, I expect nothing less than a victory for the number nine seed.
Prediction: de Minaur in 4
Corentin Moutet vs Clement Tabur
Ateet
Corentin Moutet had a great run to the second week here last year and can trouble anyone with his craftiness and defense. He will play his compatriot, Clement Tabur, who didn’t lose a set in the qualifiers. Moutet’s experience and variety should help him get the win.
Prediction: Moutet in 4
Nurein
While the odds suggest a clean victory for Moutet here, don’t expect anything less than dramatic. Moutet thrives in chaos and bedlam. Tabur is a player who was unsuccessful in two previous qualifying attempts in his home tournament, but the third time was the charm. This looks nailed-on for a marathon if Tabur can handle the occasion of his French Open main draw debut with aplomb.
Prediction: Moutet in 5
Alexander Zverev vs Learner Tien
Ateet
Alexander Zverev gets a tricky opening round match against the talented and gritty Learner Tien, who has already beaten him in their last meeting. Zverev was ill in Hamburg, but in his press conference, he stated that he is doing better. I expect the German to play a much better match here than he did in Acapulco. Tien might win a set, but I can’t see him upsetting the #3 seed again.
Prediction: Zverev in 4
Nurein
Zverev has a score to settle here after losing to Tien earlier this season. That was on a hard court where the young American is pretty comfortable bullying opponents to submission. On clay, Tien is still a novice. I’m looking at a strong start from last year’s finalist.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Tope
Almost a year ago, Alexander Zverev stood just one set away from winning his first French Open and achieving his first Grand Slam title, but Carlos Alcaraz came back to beat him in a five-set match. This year, he aims to improve upon that result and begins his tournament against Learner Tien, who showed huge potential early in the season, including defeating Zverev in their only meeting. Despite that, there’s no reason to believe that lightning will strike twice, especially on clay.
Prediction: Zverev in 4
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch – Imagn Images
