The first round of the French Open concludes on Day 3 as 20 more men’s matches take the grounds of Roland Garros. Among them, Luciano Darderi squares off against Sebastian Ofner. Tope Oke, Ilemona Onekutu, and Cizu Harbor offer their insights. But who will advance?
French Open Men’s Day 3 Predictions
Learner Tien vs Christian Garin
Tope
While Cristian Garin can still grind on this surface, the consistency just isn’t quite there right now. Learner Tien, by contrast, walks in with belief after capturing his first clay-court title in Geneva, a breakthrough that underlines how quickly his game is maturing. If Garin can drag this into long, physical exchanges he has a path, but Tien’s confidence, sharper shot-making, and upward trajectory make him the clear favorite to impose himself and potentially close this out quickly.
Prediction: Tien in 4
Ilemona
Learner Tien has clean strokes and is showing real promise with his all-court game. Christian Garin knows clay well and grinds effectively. Tien’s improving level and ability to accelerate could tip a close match his way.
Prediction: Tien in 4
Cizu
Garin is one for the clay and would feel fairly confident going into this. Tien, though, is one of those players who has everything you’d feel to be successful on clay. His point construction abilities and resilience are right up there with the best. He also comes into this on the back of a title triumph. This prediction might turn some heads, but I think Tien has it in him.
Prediction: Tien in 3
Denis Shapovalov vs Jaime Faria
Tope
Jaime Faria battled through qualifying, including a statement scalp over former world No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov even if his ranking still sits outside the top 100. Across the net, Denis Shapovalov is still searching for rhythm on clay, with just two wins from six matches this swing and early exits in all three Masters events, despite a brief bright spot in Munich where he reached the quarter-finals. The experience and shot-making of Jaime Faria against top-level opposition hasn’t been fully tested over five sets, but his clay-court discipline and confidence from qualifying could drag Shapovalov into uncomfortable exchanges.
Prediction: Faria in 5
Ilemona
Denis Shapovalov can produce brilliant shots and take over points with his timing when confident. Joao Faria competes with consistency but may struggle against that firepower. Shapovalov’s weapons should make the difference.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 3
Cizu
Shapovalov is one of those players who can control any match if he wants to. Faria is basically a clay-court specialist. The Canadian hasn’t felt right lately, so it’s difficult to know what to expect from him or to make a case for him.
Prediction: Faria in 4
Jacob Fearnley vs Juan Martin Cerundolo
Tope
Jacob Fearnley comes into this matchup still trying to find his feet on clay in a season that’s gathered no moss. In contrast, Juan Manuel Cerúndolo arrives confidence after lifting the Bordeaux title, continuing a strong clay-court stretch with 17 wins from 27 matches on the surface this season. On paper, Fearnley’s improving clay game and competitiveness might keep rallies honest early, but Cerúndolo’s match sharpness on this surface tilts the balance his way.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Ilemona
Juan Manuel Cerundolo comes from a clay-specialist background with excellent movement and point construction. Jacob Fearnley brings energy but this is a tough test against that dirt know-how. Cerundolo’s comfort on the surface stands out and will help him at the French Open.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Cizu
This one features the less accomplished of the Cerundolo brothers, but still a decent clay-court player against Fearnly, who really hasn’t played much lately, but will still do well to make this an interesting fight. I think not having played much hurts the Brit’s chances at the French Open.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 5
Luciano Darderi vs Sebastian Ofner
Tope
Despite two Challenger titles this season Sebastian Ofner’s clay season has been a different story entirely with early exits in Madrid and Rome, underlining a player still searching for traction on the dirt. Luciano Darderi, by contrast, looks grounded and dangerous on this surface: a clay-court title in Santiago, a Buenos Aires final, and a breakout Masters run in Rome to the last four, all pointing to a player who understands the rhythm of these conditions. Darderi’s consistency and clay instincts should dictate the tempo at the French Open.
Prediction: Darderi in 4
Ilemona
Facundo Darderi brings strong clay instincts, fighting spirit, and good baseline play. Sebastian Ofner has power but can be streaky on the surface. Darderi’s recent form and ability to stay steady in long points look promising.
Prediction: Darderi in 4
Cizu
Darderi plays every point like someone who has something to prove. Ofner is going to find it a tough challenge, one that I don’t see how he copes with. The only question is Darderi’s physical condition, as he’s played a lot of tennis lately. Even then, I still think he gets it done.
Prediction: Darderi in 4
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – Imagn Images
