Tournament favorites Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz start their French Open campaigns on Sunday, the first day of the tournament. We have predictions for every day 1 match in Paris with our expert panelists.
Alexander Zverev vs Sebastian Ofner
Glenys Furness: The German starts as favourite, as the seeded player. Zverev is coming in off the back of a successful start to the clay court campaign. The Austrian however, made light work of qualifying. Ofner won the Prague Challenger last month only dropping one set, so will be dangerous as qualifiers tend to be. However, the experienced German should get through in 4 sets. Zverev in 4
Steen Kirby: Zverev won their only meeting with ease, a finalist in Madrid and semifinalist in Rome and Monte Carlo, he’s played great tennis all spring and deserves to be considered one of the favorites to lift this title. Ofner came through qualifying after winning a Challenger title a couple of weeks prior. The Austrian is playing well but it’s going to be of little use against an elite player, Zverev seems to have overcome his propensity earlier in his career to struggle in the early rounds of Grand Slams and play down to the level of his opposition. Zverev in 3
Jason Kubler vs Denis Kudla
Glenys: Jason Kubler reached the semi-final of the Zagreb open last month before losing out in a tight three set battle. The Australian fought through qualifying to make the first round here for the first time. His opponent Kudla has never progressed beyond the first round here, and will be desperate to make that happen this year. The American did not get through qualies at the Madrid Open and the Italian Open. Sorry USA, but Kubler will win in 3 sets. Kubler in 3
Steen: Kudla won their only meeting, the American was a semifinalist in Sarasota but generally struggles on clay and much prefers faster surfaces. Kubler is great on clay, he qualified and was a challenger semifinalist prior to that. Though Kubler has never been able to reach his potential due to chronic injuries, he’s the clear favorite in this match. Kubler in 3
Juan Ignacio Londero vs Carlos Alcaraz
Glenys: The young Spaniard is one of the favourites for this years title. After taking the title in Madrid, beating Nadal, Djokovic and Zverev to become the youngest winner in the open era the Spaniard should have little bother with Londero. The Argentine made the 4th round here in 2019 and eased through qualifying. However he’s up against an on fire player in Alcaraz. The Spaniard takes this in 3 sets. Alcaraz in 3
Steen: On form alone, Alcaraz should boss around Londero, a lucky loser who has struggled besides a semifinal in Cordoba early in the season on clay. Alcaraz is the one facing all the pressure as one of the tournament favorites after winning Rio, Miami, Barcelona, and Madrid this year, while Londero is literally playing with house money. Londero could make this interesting for a set as he’s no stranger on clay, but Alcaraz is by far the better player if he’s mentally engaged for his opening round tilt. Alcaraz in 3
Michael Mmoh vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles
Glenys: This is an interesting matchup. The American has never been beyond the first round at the French Open. Although qualifying for the Lyon Open Mmoh then lost in the first round in a tight match. The Spaniard made the 2nd round in Estoril and Barcelona, and the quarter final at the Heilironn Challenger. Tricky one to call this, but Mmoh will edge this and progress into the next round in 5 sets. Mmoh in 5
Steen: Mmoh has been good on clay, Zapata Miralles came through qualifying and has been slightly more impressive on the surface though. This match has the makings of a long battle, Zapata Miralles has the skillset to grind out an opening round win here. Zapata Miralles in 5
Main Photo from Getty Images
