Alexander Zverev was solid in the opening round of the French Open, next up is home player Pierre-Hugues Herbert for a spot in the third round. Our panel of Andrew Watson and Damian Kust offer their predictions.
Alexander Zverev vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Andrew: Despite taking a while to warm up (like the Paris conditions) Zverev produced a good display in R1 vs the dangerous Dennis Novak. He is going to be a tough man to break down from the back of the court under these conditions and I feel as though Herbert won’t have the extreme power or the technique required to do that. The Frenchman’s best hope is some great serving and inspired net-play. Both of which he has in his locker from his superb doubles play but it will be a tough ask. Zverev in 3
Damian: Herbert would much rather contest this on a faster, slicker court. The Frenchman loses a lot of his assets on the clay and is very unlikely to hit through Zverev’s defense. Zverev in 3
Radu Albot vs Taylor Fritz
Andrew: Having made me look a complete fool in the opening round I am reticent to write off the Moldovan again here. Neither player would call clay their best surface but both put in good performances to meet here. Albot may just have the fitness edge having dismissed his opponent in three where Fritz had to weather a comeback against Tomas Machac. Albot in 5
Damian: Fritz is one of these Americans who can play on clay but he made a mess of his first round win against Tomas Machac. This might be going the distance and Albot’s fresher legs could make the difference in that case. Albot in 5
Hugo Gaston vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Andrew: Gaston emerged victorious in an all-French encounter whereas Nishioka produced a bit of a shock in comfortably beating Felix Auger-Aliassime. In the conditions Nishioka’s movement and speed could serve him well and give him the edge in this match. Nishioka in 4
Damian: What a chance for both. Nishioka’s ball isn’t particularly hurtful to the opponent but he excels at getting balls back and redirecting them. Gaston will have a clear game plan but I’m not convinced he can attack with enough consistency over a distance. Nishioka in 4
Sebastian Korda vs John Isner
Andrew: Korda played well in his win over the experienced Andreas Seppi and he will feel right at home on court now having won 3 matches in qualifying as well. However, he will now need to adapt to the giant serve of Isner and that may prove a bridge too far. Isner always seems to do ok in the French Open and I expect another third round run here. Isner in 4
Damian: Seb Korda grew up on green clay in Florida and was surely instructed to play on this surface well by his father, a former Roland Garros runner-up. This can get interesting but the way the Paris clay plays this year should be very much to John Isner’s liking. Isner in 4
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