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, tournament-favorite Jannik Sinner gets his campaign underway against Frenchman Clement Tabur. Tope Oke, Ilemona Onekutu, and Cizu Harbor offer their insights. But who will advance?
French Open Men’s Day 3 Predictions
Marin Cilic vs Moise Kouame
Tope
A former Roland Garros semi-finalist, Marian Cilic knows how to navigate the big stages and will see this as a match he simply has to control from the first strike. Across the net, 17-year-old Moïse Kouamé steps into his first Grand Slam main draw on home soil, armed with a wildcard, three lower-level titles this season and the kind of fearless intent that doesn’t respect reputations. The gap in ranking and experience is obvious, but the energy of a home crowd and his free-swinging game could drag Čilić into uncomfortable stretches, even if the veteran’s consistency and shot tolerance should ultimately tilt the balance in his favor.
Prediction: Cilic in 4
Ilemona
Marin Cilic still possesses a huge serve and can hit clean winners when his body holds up. Kouame will bring home energy but lacks the weapons to match that level consistently. Cilic’s experience in these settings should help him pull through.
Prediction: Cilic in 5
Cizu
The veteran against the young home talent. In what will be an engaging home support for the teen, based on his on-court charisma, this match will come down to moments and how both players manage them. Based on this, you’d already expect Cilic to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Cilic in 4
Alejandro Tabilo vs Kamil Majchrzak
Tope
This opener on clay feels tilted toward Alejandro Tabilo, who has had the better results this season. The left-hander’s variety, angles and natural comfort on clay should allow him to dictate the tempo and stretch rallies into uncomfortable territory. On the other side, Kamil Majchrzak arrives short on matchplay after injury-hit months and limited clay preparation. Unless Majchrzak produces something significantly sharper than recent form indicates, the Chilean should control this one and progress without too much drama.
Prediction: Tabilo in 3
Ilemona
Alejandro Tabilo uses lefty spin and solid movement effectively on clay. Kamil Majchrzak competes but has been less reliable on the surface lately. Tabilo’s pedigree and baseline control give him the edge.
Prediction: Tabilo in 5
Cizu
Tabilo should be satisfied with this opening match against a player whom he really should beat. The scoreline is probably the only real question here. I’ll settle on a straightforward one
Prediction: Tabilo in 3
Zhinzen Zhang vs Facundo Diaz Acosta
Tope
Facundo Díaz Acosta swept through qualifying having banked three Challenger titles this season to underline his consistency on the surface. Zhizhen Zhang, by contrast, brings a more erratic clay résumé, capable of flashes of power, but undermined by a 3–6 record on the dirt and uneven ATP form. Zhang does possess the bigger first-strike weapons and has previously shown he can survive deep in Grand Slams, but over five sets at the French Open, this has the feel of a match that tilts steadily toward the steadier clay specialist as the legs and patience test intensifies.
Prediction: Acosta in 5
Ilemona
Zhizhen Zhang is athletic and can strike the ball powerfully from the back of the court. Diaz will grind but may get overpowered in faster exchanges. Zhang’s recent level and ability to hit through the clay should help him advance.
Prediction: Zhang in 4
Cizu
This might not be the prettiest contest to watch, featuring players who currently aren’t producing the most enjoyable tennis. Zhang used to be that kind of player, but not anymore, lately. It feels like it’s Diaz’s match to lose at the French Open.
Prediction: Diaz in 4
Jannik Sinner vs Clement Tabur
Tope
Jannik Sinner is in ruthless form and with the aura of inevitability, riding a 29-match unbeaten streak that has already delivered a Career Golden Master. The world #1 has barely put a foot wrong since February and opens his Roland Garros campaign as the overwhelming favourite to add a first French Open crown to a season that already feels historically loaded. Across the net, Clement Tabur comes in as a qualifier at a career-high ranking, but still searching for consistency at tour level. He’ll need a near-perfect day to trouble Sinner, but this matchup looks less like a contest and more like a statement waiting to be delivered—the Italian’s pace, precision, and relentless baseline pressure should make this a controlled, early-round French Open cruise.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Ilemona
Jannik Sinner has been dominant on clay this year, sweeping all three clay court masters in the lead up. Clement Tabur, as a home wildcard, will enjoy the support and try to make it physical. Sinner’s fitness, power, and recent unbeatable form should make this very one-sided.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Cizu
This one involves the man of the moment. Anything other than a straight-sets victory for Sinner might be the biggest story of this opening round of matches. So with that in mind, this prediction shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images
