It’s time for the last ATP 1000 tournament of the year, the Rolex Paris Masters, and Day 1 promises to be special. With its spot on the calendar just before the ATP Finals, Paris Masters always draws a stacked lineup, as players look for crucial ranking points and seek to end the season on a high. Day 1 features 13 first-round matches and as always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance?
ATP Paris Day 1 Predictions
Alejandro Tabilo vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Alejandro Tabilo might not be in the best of form, but he should be confident of winning against Nuno Borges. Borges hasn’t played much since the US Open and is not the best player on indoor hard courts. Borges is an attacking player, but Tabilo’s game suits these conditions better. The Chilean will look to end the season inside the top 20, and this win would help him get closer.
Prediction: Tabilo in 3
Nicolas Jarry vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-Head: Jarry 1-2 Sonego
Nicolas Jarry lost a close match in Stockholm but his level is improving. It’s been a disastrous second half for Jarry but he will look to end the season on a high. He will face another player who has struggled for most of the season. However, Sonego played two impressive matches to qualify for the main draw. Both these players have won just one main draw match before at the Paris Masters and this can go either way. The Italian served superbly in the qualifying rounds, so I’m giving him a tiny advantage.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
Tallon Griekspoor vs Luciano Darderi
Head-to-Head: Griekspoor 1-0 Darderi
It was a big week for Tallon Griekspoor in Stockholm, as he finally got his first Top 10 win. He lost in the first round in Basel but shouldn’t be too worried as he is playing some great tennis. Griekspoor was so close to beating Novak Djokovic here last year and should like his chances to win some matches this week. Luciano Darderi is still adjusting to hard courts and shouldn’t pose much of a challenge to Griekspoor.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 2
Ugo Humbert vs Brandon Nakashima
Head-to-Head: Humbert 3-1 Nakashima
Ugo Humbert is one of the most dangerous players on fast hard courts with his attacking style and flat strikes. But he hasn’t lived up to that expectation in the last two events. However, playing on home soil and against a player he has dominated this year should provide a good launching pad for the rest of the week. Nakashima has had a very consistent year, beating many top 20 players. However, this is a tremendously difficult opening match for the American player, and I don’t think his chances are good.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
Tommy Paul vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-Head: Paul 1-0 Mannarino
Tommy Paul needs a deep run this week to have any chance of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals. Paul was brilliant in Stockholm and will need to bring that level to have a shot at the ATP Finals. Adrian Mannarino has started playing better tennis but is still far from the level required to beat the American player. Paul has never lost a first-round match at the Paris Masters and I think that streak will continue.
Prediction: Paul in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
