With 24 first-round matches on the schedule on day two at the French Open, there should be plenty of entertaining tennis for the fans in Paris. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Atilla Balazs vs Marin Cilic, Novak Djokovic vs Yoshihito Nishioka, Jordan Thompson vs Rafael Nadal, Dan Evans vs Francisco Cerundolo and Sebastian Korda vs John Millman. But who will advance?
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Filip Krajinovic vs Reilly Opelka
Damian: Reilly Opelka’s European clay season has been a mess this year, leaving him a little undercooked for Roland Garros. Contrary to popular belief, there’s a lot that works in his favor on clay – kick serve bounces like crazy, and he can also hit most balls from a more suitable height. Filip Krajinovic is no slouch either and he’ll make this one interesting.
Prediction: Opelka in 5
Yesh: This is a great opening round match. Opelka is playing well and his height and game suit the high-bouncing clay. Krajinovic is just a solid player who hits the ball hard. Neither loves the clay, but both can perform admirably.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 4
Anish: Krajinovic can be a dangerous clay courter when at his best. If his recent results haven’t impressed, he has scored wins against the likes of Andrey Rublev and David Goffin, who were both coming off title wins at Belgrade and Marrakech respectively. Though the rankings would suggest the ace-machine Opelka to be the favourite, his style of play and recent results force me to think otherwise.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 4
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Stan Wawrinka vs Corentin Moutet
Damian: We’ll see how Stan Wawrinka handles the best-of-five format physically, but if he’s playing like in Rome, then he should probably advance. He doesn’t respond that well to slow-ballers though and would probably prefer a more traditional opponent. The power he has will overwhelm Corentin Moutet if the Swiss finds a nice baseline rhythm, which the Frenchman will try not to give him. Interesting matchup.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 5
Yesh: Wawrinka hasn’t quite found his form since returning from injury, but he’s getting better. If he’s healthy, he should take this match.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 3
Anish: Krajinovic can be a dangerous clay courter when at his best. If his recent results haven’t impressed, he has scored wins against the likes of Andrey Rublev and David Goffin, who were both coming off title wins at Belgrade and Marrakech respectively. Though the rankings would suggest the ace-machine Opelka to be the favourite, his style of play and recent results force me to think otherwise.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 4
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Mikael Ymer vs James Duckworth
Damian: Both could really use a win with James Duckworth coming back after surgery and Mikael Ymer having a couple of embarrassing losses recently. Don’t expect high quality in this one. In terms of the pick, I’m going to go purely with the surface here – Ymer is a natural on it and had plenty of success, Duckworth is usually struggling.
Prediction: Ymer in 4
Yesh: Ymer’s meteoric rise earlier this year has cooled, but he is still playing well enough to be too much for Duckworth on clay.
Prediction: Ymer in 3
Anish: Duckworth is yet to win a match this season. After his injury kept him out for 4 months, he has played just one match on clay in the tune up. Ymer, after having a decent start to the season, fell into a hole, and has not win a match in three months. It has been a very long time since both players tasted victory, and luckily, one does it in this match. Ymer is the more accomplished player on clay. But Duckworth will give a tough fight. He always does.
Prediction: Duckworth in 5
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Lloyd Harris vs Richard Gasquet
Damian: Clay isn’t Lloyd Harris’s cup of tea and it shows. Richard Gasquet has had to endure a couple of tough losses recently but was looking pretty decent last week. In front of the home crowd and on a surface that suits him much better, this really is an opportunity he should be taking.
Prediction: Gasquet in 4
Yesh: Gasquet might be on his last hurrah, but his form has been pretty good in recent months. Harris, after an impressive 2021, has stagnated somewhat. Gasquet should get one last win in his home Slam here.
Prediction: Gasquet in 4
Anish: Gasquet is coming into the match on the back of a semifinal appearance at the Geneva Open. What is worrying though, is his loss to Joao Sousa, when he won just four games in the whole match. Harris on the other hand, has no great exploits on clay. His age will be an advantage in this clash, as a best-of-five match is also about physicality. Gasquet should be able to get this win based on current form.
Prediction: Gasquet in 4
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