Expect another day of exciting tennis in Paris. Day three at the French Open will see the first round reach a conclusion with 20 intriguing matches on the slate. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including including Casper Ruud vs Elias Ymer, Gael Monfils vs Sebastian Baez, Holger Rune vs Christopher Eubanks and Daniil Medvedev vs Thiago Seyboth Wild. But who will advance to the second round?
French Open Day 3 Predictions
Jaume Munar vs Francisco Cerundolo
Yesh: Normally, this might be a fun one to predict. But Jaume Munar has looked horrendous and unhealthy in his last two matches. I can’t trust that he’s going to be fit enough to beat Francisco Cerundolo.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Damian: Cerundolo’s disappointing performance in the Lyon final was mostly on nerves than anything else and he should still take some confidence from that run. The Argentinian crushed Munar when they played earlier this year and his rival’s form hasn’t really improved since.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 4
Jack: Munar’s probably not the first round most would have wanted but Cerundolo will feel good about his chances. He dealt Munar the most one-sided loss of his year in Buenos Aires, using his forehand to completely overcome the defensive skills of the Spaniard. Given how Cerundolo has been playing recently, this should end similarly.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Genaro Alberto Olivieri vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Yesh: Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard stunningly won the Lyon Challenger in April, but that was one a hard court. He is 0-3 in clay Challenger matches this year. And while he’ll have the home crowd against the Argentinian, that won’t be enough. Genaro Alberto Olivieri did more in qualifying here than the Frenchman is capable of.
Prediction: Olivieri in 3
Damian: What an opportunity for both. Olvieri recently beat Mpetshi Perricard in Brazil, but the young Frenchman was changing surfaces quickly after a title on altitude hard. He’s actually a bit better on clay when he has more time to set up for his backhand, despite the massive serve. The weaponry of the youngster could prevail here, especially with the help of the crowd.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 5
Jack: Both Olivieri and Mpetshi Perricard are making their ATP main draw debuts. The stakes could not be higher and the nerves are sure to be jangling. As the more experienced player and with qualifying matches already under his belt, Olivieri feels more likely to be able to handle the occasion.
Prediction: Olivieri in 5
Yannick Hanfmann vs Thiago Monteiro
Yesh: Yannick Hanfmann is looking very solid right now. He breezed through qualifying and just looks in much better form than Thiago Monteiro.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 3
Damian: Monteiro would probably want Benjamin Bonzi back, but he actually gets a lucky loser in Hanfmann. Despite going out in the final qualifying round to Elias Ymer, the German is still among the most dangerous unseeded players in the draw and should capitalize on Monteiro’s mediocre form.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 4
Jack: Hanfmann deservedly received a lucky loser spot. His clay court game has been phenomenal recently, really dominating with his serve on a surface that doesn’t normally allow for that. Thiago Monteiro will put up as good a fight as he always does but Hanfmann should take this by virtue of having more power to his shots.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 4
Embed from Getty Images
Taylor Fritz vs Michael Mmoh
Yesh: Taylor Fritz hasn’t quite sustained the form that he found in the spring of 2022, but he’s a solid, close-to-elite player, and should have way too much for his fellow American in this one.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
[cta id=4013 type=cta]
Damian: Michael Mmoh hasn’t played in three months, so he’s probably just here to collect the pay cheque. Especially as he was never really a great clay-court player. Fritz, however, has improved on the surface massively and should enjoy this safe passage to the second round.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Jack: Fritz will probably be pretty happy with his clay season, reaching three semifinals on his least favourite surface. He’s starting to get used to the repeated aggression required from his forehand—he shouldn’t have any problems finishing points against the solid consistency of Mmoh, who’s playing his first clay court match since Roland Garros last year.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
