Day 7 at the French Open is intriguing with veterans Gilles Simon and Marin Cilic squaring off in third round action, and talented clay players like Jannik Sinner and Stefanos Tsitsipas in action. Our panelists have predictions for every day 7 match at Roland Garros including Daniil Medvedev vs Miomir Kecmanovic.
Gilles Simon vs Marin Cilic
Shane Black: 37-year-old Gilles Simon, playing in his 18th and final French Open, reached the 500-career win mark after defeating Steve Johnson in Round 2. The magic of the Paris crowd has helped the veteran Frenchman to Round 3, but that is as far as I see it taking him. Marin Cilic is 6-4 on the dirt this season and seems very motivated to make a deep Grand Slam run. Cilic in 4
Damian Kust: What a run this has been for Gilles Simon in his last Roland Garros. The Frenchman has done nothing of note all year and had a few embarrassing losses, before suddenly coming up with vintage performances here. This isn’t a matchup he can’t win, but it’s another one where the crowd will have to carry him through. Marin Cilic is much more certain to perform at a decent level, but he needs to be careful as back in the day, this was a terrible matchup for him (1-6). Cilic in 4
Mackenzie McDonald vs Jannik Sinner
Shane: Mackenzie McDonald is just the ninth highest-ranked American man but always seems to outlast his compatriots in Grand Slam draws. He was just 2-5 on the clay this season before winning his first two matches in Paris. McDonald and Sinner did battle last season in their only career matchup, but that was at a 250 event in the United States. The Italian, who is very comfortable in Paris, should roll. Sinner in 3
Damian: Jannik Sinner has been the most consistent player this year, winning two matches in every single event played. The Italian has done it through being clinical against lower-ranked opposition and he shouldn’t struggle here either. Mackenzie McDonald isn’t at his best on clay and this third round here is already much further than most expected him to go. Sinner in 3
Mikael Ymer vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Shane: Stefanos Tsitsipas has survived two battles to begin his 2022 Roland Garros campaign. He has already spent 7 hours and 40 minutes on-court in Paris. He holds a 3-0 head-to-head record over Mikael Ymer. I think the previous two matches will give Tsitsipas confidence as he continues to get stronger throughout the tournament. Tsitsipas in 3
Damian: This has been an awful matchup for Mikael Ymer, especially as all their meetings so far happened in very fast conditions. The Swede will like his chances much more here, but the basics of their dynamics remain the same – the power contrast is extremely stark. Stefanos Tsitsipas has been far from clinical in the first two rounds, albeit due to some inspired performances by the opponents. He should pull through again, even if it gets tougher (but it shouldn’t). Tsitsipas in 3
David Goffin vs Hubert Hurkacz
Shane: David Goffin has worked hard in two four-set matches to reach Round 3. Hubert Hurkacz rolled through his first two matches in straight sets. With that said, Goffin defeated Hurkacz 7-6 7-6 earlier this month in Rome. I favor Hurkacz, whom I believe will get stronger as the match progresses. Hurkacz in 4
Damian: Their Rome match had some great quality and was taken by David Goffin in a couple of tie-breaks. Hubert Hurkacz has had easier opposition to get here, but also managed to fend it off without any issues. This really should be a thriller again and it’s very hard to predict what’s going to happen, given how close their last encounter was. Perhaps the free points on serve Hurkacz gets will help him win, maybe he’s more likely to survive it physically if the match goes five. Hurkacz in 5
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