Day 3 at Roland Garros features Andy Murray beginning his 2017 French Open campaign, Juan Martin Del Potro returning to Roland Garros after a long absence, and a big battle between Nick Kyrgios and Philipp Kohlschreiber. Steen Kirby and Yesh Ginsburg are on hand to offer their previews and predictions.
(1)Andy Murray vs. Andrey Kuznetsov
Steen: Murray has been in terrible form and I firmly believe he’ll be sent home early this tournament. I don’t think Kuznetsov will be the opponent to take him out though, the Russian is talented and has had some solid tour results, but in best of 5 Murray has the fitness and experience to find a way to win. Murray should manage to break down Kuznetsov’s game enough to prevail. Murray in 4
Yesh: Andy Murray’s been in a slump, no doubt. But there’s no way he’s going to become the second #1 seed to fall in the first round. Murray in 3
(27)Sam Querrey vs. Hyeon Chung
Steen: Chung has been in great form on clay and I’m a firm believer in the solid, complate nature of his game. Querrey isn’t the worst American player on clay, but I still don’t entirely believe in his mental focus. Look for Chung to rise up and pull off an upset. Chung in 4
Yesh: This is a fascinating matchup. Neither is better on clay, though Chung is a bit more comfortable. I think Querrey’s power gets him through in the end, though. Querrey in 4
(29)Juan Martin Del Potro vs. (Q)Guido Pella
Steen: 15-8 on clay this year with a tour final, the qualifier Pella is one of the more difficult opponents that a seed will face in the opening round. Del Potro has not been great on clay this year, and he hasn’t played at Roland Garros in many years, that said, Del Potro’s power should help him stretch Pella around the court and secure a win. Del Potro in 4
Yesh: Pella has been getting better and better, and Del Potro is not at his best on clay. I could see this becoming a tense one, but ultimately the Argentinian should have more than enough power for Pella to deal with. Del Potro in 3
(18)Nick Kyrgios vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber
Steen: Neither player has been in good form recently. Kohlschreiber will be relying on his experience, while Kyrgios will depending on holding his serve in this one. Kyrgios could lose control and crash out in round 1, but the match is on his racquet regardless, Kohlschreiber no longer has the ability to perform at a level high enough to win this match on his own, he’ll need the Australian to play below his usual level. Kyrgios in 5
Yesh: This should be fascinating. It’s impossible to predict what will happen in a Kyrgios match, other than the fact that he usually doesn’t bring his worst in big matches. Kohlschreiber will give him a challenge, which can lead to some fireworks, but I think Kyrgios will want this win enough to stay focused. Kyrgios in 4
(13)Tomas Berdych vs. Jan-Lennard Struff
Steen: 9-4 in recent clay tournaments, Berdych is playing good, but not great. Struff has been worse than that though, and after a successful run of form in Lyon, I’d be surprised if Berdych was bothered that much against Struff, who struggles with his mental focus in Grand Slams. Berdych in 3
Yesh: Tomas Berdych is another big hitter who is not at his absolute best on clay, but didn’t get a first-round opponent that can really capitalize on it. Berdych in 3
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