With 16 second-round matches on the slate at Roland Garros, it should be an entertaining fourth day at the French Open. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Carlos Alcaraz vs Fabian Marozsan, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Matteo Gigante, and Casper Ruud vs Nuno Borges. But who will reach the last 32?
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Holger Rune vs Emilio Nava
Ateet: Holger Rune was in trouble for the first hour and so against Roberto Bautista Agut, but found his level at the right time to avoid any further damage. Rune has a good record in Paris and will back himself to make another deep run. Emilio Nava has been in great form at the Challenger Tour, but this is the biggest stage of tennis, and Rune should prevail.
Prediction: Rune in 4
Damian: Rune is one of the players who can lose in every round he plays, but could also take the title and one wouldn’t really bat an eye (okay, a little bit). He’ll need to stay sharp against Nava, who gained so much confidence this season and beat Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets his opener. If he stays on point, Rune will be versatile enough to beat him.
Prediction: Rune in 4
Jim: Rune is still battling inconsistency, as well as some injury issues, but he has played some very good tennis on the clay this season. If he can play his best tennis, or anything even close to his best tennis, he should have the beating of Nava.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Ben Shelton vs Hugo Gaston
Ateet: Ben Shelton came through a long five-setter against Lorenzo Sonego and avoided an early upset. He will need to be careful again in the second round, as Hugo Gaston is a tricky opponent and can frustrate opponents with his drop shots and craftiness.
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Damian: This was a cracker at Roland Garros last year. Gaston was struggling physically in his opening round vs Blanchet and still pulled off the win. His style of play makes it uncomfortable for the opponents and Shelton will need to trust his game more than he usually does on clay to hold him off comfortably. But his upside should prevail.
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Jim: Shelton won’t have been pleased with his first-round performance but the important thing was that he managed to hang tough and win the match. However, this might be a real test for the American. Gaston will have the French crowd right behind him and has the skills to disrupt Shelton on a surface the 13th seed is still coming to grips with.
Prediction: Gaston in 5
Alexei Popyrin vs Alejandro Tabilo
Ateet: Alejandro Tabilo survived the local player, Arthur Cazaux in a brilliant match. This was Tabilo’s first win at the French Open and he must be delighted to cross this hurdle. Popyrin would be a tougher challenge though and Tabilo has struggled to win back-to-back matches this season. I am going with the Australian.
Prediction: Popyrin in 5
Damian: Two players who haven’t had a great season and also don’t have a strong Roland Garros record. Tabilo’s more of a natural on this surface, but Popyrin’s game actually suits it very well. Will probably be all about how much the Chilean can find his opponent’s backhand, which should be easier for a lefty. But Popyrin’s form is significantly more convincing.
Prediction: Popyrin in 5
Jim: For all of Popyrin’s qualities, this might be a tough day for the Australian. In theory, he should be well-suited to the clay but his record on the surface is so-so. Tabilo, meanwhile, is a solid clay-courter and whilst his record at Roland Garros will be a frustration, he has a great chance to reach the third round here.
Prediction: Tabilo in 4
Embed from Getty Images
Lorenzo Musetti vs Daniel Elahi Galan
Ateet: One of the dark horses of the tournament, Lorenzo Musetti is off to a solid start. He was pushed by a very good Yannick Hanfmann early on but controlled the match after edging the first set. Daniel Elahi Galan won a main draw match here for the first time since 2020. It would be a miracle if he wins another.
Prediction: Musetti in 3
Damian: This event is a massive opportunity for Musetti and it will be interesting to see how he responds to the pressure he’s under. He’s never been a top eight seed before and most think he is the favorite to make the semifinals. But somebody will need to push him hard for the nerves to take over and Galan in current form just isn’t capable enough.
Prediction: Musetti in 3
Jim: This should be a comfortable day at the office for Musetti. He comes into the French Open in good form and should be full of confidence. And when Musetti is playing with confidence, he can be a hard man to stop.
Prediction: Musetti in 3
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
