The action at the French Open is beginning to hot up and it should be an entertaining fourth day with 16 first-round matches on the slate in Paris. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Holger Rune vs Emilio Nava, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Matteo Gigante, and Casper Ruud vs Nuno Borges. But who will secure their spot in the second round?
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Carlos Alcaraz vs Fabian Marozsan
Ateet: Alcaraz looked solid in his first-round match and didn’t lose any focus at any point. This would be a tougher challenge for the Spaniard as Marozsan has beaten him in these conditions before and has been in good form recently. However, beating Alcaraz in a Slam is a completely different task.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Damian: Yes, Marozsan famously beat Alcaraz in Rome and he’s still got that peak game on his day with perhaps the world’s most ridiculous dropshots. But upsets are so much tougher to pull off in the best-of-five format. Even if he fires up for a set and he’s perfectly capable of doing that, Alcaraz will have a lot of time to adjust and recover.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Jim: This will be a test for Alcaraz but it is one he should pass relatively comfortably. Marozsan’s combination of guile and power from the back of the court can make him a dangerous opponent, but Alcaraz has power and guile of his own, as well as being rather more consistent than the Hungarian.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
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Karen Khachanov vs Sebastian Ofner
Ateet: Karen Khachanov played a good match against Aleksandar Vukic and will hope to take revenge on Sebastian Ofner, who beat him last week in Geneva. Ofner is playing some of the best tennis of his life and hit 22 aces in the first round. This should be a close match with both players dominating on serve. I expect Khachanov to make some adjustments and get the revenge.
Prediction: Khachanov in 5
Damian: Ofner just defeated Khachanov in Geneva and is playing possibly the best tennis of his career. Does the fact it’s a Grand Slam change anything? The Russian is the more reliable player, but he’s been vulnerable to some early upsets at the French (Kovalik last year) and Ofner’s flying high enough to get the nod here.
Prediction: Ofner in 5
Jim: this match might feature some challenging moments for Khachanov, but he has a good record at the French Open and looked sharp in his opener. Ofner did upset him in Geneva, but on the bigger stage, Khachanov’s experience should prove to be the difference.
Prediction: Khachanov in 4
Daniel Altmaier vs Vit Kopriva
Ateet: Daniel Altmaier got another big scalp at the French Open as he took out fourth seed Taylor Fritz in four sets. He will get an easier second round on paper and will be the favourite to win. Vit Kopriva had to overcome a comeback from Thiago Monteiro in the first round to get his first win here. He will certainly like his chances, but I am going with the German.
Prediction: Altmaier in 4
Damian: Altmaier played like a tactical genius against Fritz, exposing the American’s lacking clay footwork and no ability to mix up play at all. Following up a big win is not easy and it’s going to be a completely different encounter against Kopriva. He’s the favorite, but only slightly and mostly due to the Czech struggling to close out his opening round against Monteiro.
Prediction: Altmaier in 5
Jim: Altmaier impressed against Fritz and his reward is what should be a winnable match against Kopriva. The Czech shouldn’t be underestimated and Altmaier will need to guard against a let down after his big win. But if he can maintain the level he displayed against Fritz, or something close to it, he should reach the third round.
Prediction: Altmaier in 4
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Sebastian Korda vs Jenson Brooksby
Ateet: This should be an entertaining match between two compatriots who have never played each other before. Korda had a tough first-round match and did well to win in four sets. Brooksby, on the other hand, won his first main draw match at the French Open by beating Jaime Faria. Brooksby’s unorthodox tennis can trouble Korda, who struggles against variety. But, I still can’t see Brooksby winning three sets here.
Prediction: Korda in 5
Damian: Someone will have to take advantage in that almost all-American section. Korda defeated Darderi, who was struggling with an ankle issue, but even from the start of the match he was on top of the baseline and dictating play. On red clay the chance that Brooksby frustrates him into errors is a tiny bit smaller.
Prediction: Korda in 4
Jim: Korda might find that Brooksby can make life uncomfortable for him, but Korda’s hard-hitting play from the baseline should ensure that the higher-ranked of the two Americans wins this battle – even if it is closely fought.
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
