The 2019 French Open wraps up first round play on Tuesday. In this set of predictions we review matches featuring Juan Martin Del Potro vs Nicolas Jarry and Fernando Verdasco vs Dan Evans. We also have predictions for you featuring Alexander Zverev and Gael Monfils matches. Jim Smith and Yesh Ginsburg are on hand for these predictions.
Juan Martin del Potro vs Nicolas Jarry
Jim: A semifinalist last year, del Potro has seen his season so far badly disrupted by injury. But his performances in Madrid and Rome, the latter particularly so, were encouraging. His thunderous forehand allows him to do damage on any surface, but he is particularly dangerous in slower conditions. Jarry should present a tough test, but after the disappointment of narrowly failing to win the title in Geneva, he may not be at his sharpest mentally. Expect del Potro to take advantage. Del Potro in 4
Yesh: This is a sneaky-tough first-round match for Del Potro. Jarry is a good young player on the rise, and Del Potro’s health is seemingly always in question. Jarry is in better form right now, but I trust the Argentine to find another gear when he really needs it. Del Potro in 4
Fernando Verdasco vs Dan Evans
Jim: Both Verdasco and Evans have had frustrating careers in which they have failed to take full advantage of their considerable talent. But Verdasco, once ranked as high as seventh in the world, unquestionably had the higher ceiling and is a much more accomplished clay-courter. His heavy topspin forehand seems destined to cause Evans, who can struggle to defend his backhand, problems. Verdasco in 3
Yesh: This is a decent draw for both players. Each of Verdasco and Evans have real talent, though neither has quite ever lived up to it. It should be a tight match, but I’ll go with the Spaniard on clay. Verdasco in 4
Yoshihito Nishioka vs Mackenzie McDonald
Jim: Neither Nishioka nor McDonald have major weapons or particularly notable clay-court pedigree. As a result, this looks like a good opportunity for both to claim a first win in the French Open main draw. But Nishioka has won both their previous meetings in straight sets, including earlier this season on the clay at the Estoril Open. That seems as good an indication as any that he will be the man to book his place in the second round. Nishioka in 4
Yesh: These two met on clay a bit over a month ago, and Nishioka won without any trouble. McDonald will make a fight of this because he’s not one to roll over, but the Japanese man is just a little better in this matchup, especially on clay. Nishioka in 5
Ivo Karlovic vs Feliciano Lopez
Jim: This could be the last year we see both Karlovic and Lopez in Paris, with the Croatian and the Spaniard now surely coming to the end of what have been impressive careers. Roland Garros hasn’t been the happiest hunting ground for either man, with the big serves around which both their games are built earning more reward on faster surfaces than the French clay. But these are two gifted players and whilst breaks of serve will surely be at a premium, this match is likely to feature some good net play. But Lopez has the slight edge in court craft, which could prove decisive. Lopez in 5
Yesh: This is a good matchup of strong servers, but Lopez has the better baseline game to back it up. This could go to tiebreaks, which are really a coin-toss, but I think that Lopez can get enough breaks on clay to win this in straights. Lopez in 3
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