The 2025 French Open men’s singles draw is out, and it has revealed many intriguing first-round matchups, paving the way for an exciting start at Roland Garros. With top seeds like Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev facing stern challenges, the opening round promises high-stakes tennis on the clay courts. Here are the top five most thrilling first-round men’s singles matches, which can not be missed at any cost.
5 Best Men’s First Round Matches
Richard Gasquet vs Terence Atmane
This all-French wild card clash is going to be an emotional ride for the local fans. Former world No.7 and three-time Grand Slam semifinalist Richard Gasquet is playing his final professional tournament, marking his 21st French Open appearance. Gasquet has been a wonderful ambassador for French tennis over the years, and his elegant single-handed backhand is touted as one of the best of all time. He will face his compatriot, Terence Atmane, who is 15 years younger than him and playing in his second French Open main draw.
Atmane has shown signs of good tennis in his young career and will be thrilled to play a French great. The matchup dynamics go out of window in this clash as this could potentially be the last match of Gasquet’s career and an emotional one for everyone in the arena. The fans will be eager to rally behind Gasquet and watch him play for possibly one last time.
Daniil Medvedev vs Cameron Norrie
This is an intriguing clash between two players with contrasting styles and a one-sided history. Daniil Medvedev has improved his game on clay over the last two years. However, it’s still his weakest surface. On the other hand, clay is Cameron Norrie’s best surface in terms of win percentage. What makes this match so intriguing is the styles of both players.
Medvedev’s flat, defensive style contrasts with Norrie’s topspin-heavy game. Medvedev’s deep positioning neutralizes pace, requiring Norrie to create power, which is difficult on clay. To sum up, this could be a grinding match with lots of long rallies. Norrie has never won a set against Medvedev, but this is going to be their first Grand Slam meeting, which adds unpredictability.
Alexander Zverev vs Learner Tien
Last year’s finalist, Alexander Zverev, is again one of the favorites for the title in Paris, but his recent struggles, including a loss to Learner Tien in Acapulco earlier this year, make this a dangerous opener for the world No.3. The teenager has already made his mark with stunning wins over Zverev and Medvedev. Zverev can at times struggle to hit through players on clay, and Tien is an elite mover and redirects the ball brilliantly. His shot selection is also great for such a young player.
Zverev faced the same problem in their Acapulco match, and Tien will look to exploit the slowness of clay. The narrative of a young player challenging a top player is always interesting and can’t be missed. There’s going to be a lot of incredible rallies in this match, which will keep the fans engaged.
Joao Fonseca vs Hubert Hurkacz
18-year-old wild card João Fonseca will make his French Open debut in one of the best first-round matches. Fonseca is one of the brightest prospects in tennis and has already amassed a huge fan following, wherever he plays. He made a statement in his first Grand Slam match this year when he defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets. Hubert Hurkacz, a former Top 10 player, is massively experienced and is getting better after a slow start to the season.
Hurkacz’s recent performances must have boosted his confidence on the red clay. His serve is a weapon anywhere, and it will be interesting to see how Fonseca deals with it.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Kei Nishikori
Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion and No. 2 seed, has a tricky first-round match against Kei Nishikori, a former world No. 4 and 2014 US Open finalist. Nishikori, now 35, has expressed a desire to test himself against the younger generation’s greats, adding a narrative layer to this clash. Alcaraz is in great form, winning two of the three Masters on clay and beating his biggest rival, Jannik Sinner, in the Rome final.
The Spaniard is the favourite to win the Roland Garros title and the heavy favorite to win this match. However, players such as Nishikori, who can take time away from Alcaraz by hitting the ball early, have previously troubled the world No.2. Nishikori is an excellent returner and timer of the ball, and a vintage performance from him would make this match extremely interesting.
Notable Mentions
- Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
- Stan Wawrinka vs Jacob Fearnley
- Arthur Fils vs Nicolas Jarry
- Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Matteo Arnaldi
- Holger Rune vs Roberto Bautista Agut
- Ben Shelton vs Lorenzo Sonego
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
