The second slam of the year is upon us as the 2025 French Open gets started on Sunday with 20 men’s main draw singles matches. This set of predictions is paced by Tomas Machac vs Quentin Halys. Our other prediction articles feature Lorenzo Musetti vs Yannick Hanfmann, Tommy Paul vs Elmer Moller, Ben Shelton vs Lorenzo Sonego, and Frances Tiafoe vs Roman Safiullin. Predicting this set of matches is Ilemona Onekutu, Damian Kust, and Shane Black. Who will advance to round two?
French Open Day 1 Predictions
Botic van de Zandschulp vs Emilio Nava
Ilemona
Emilio Nava enters his French Open first-round match against Botic van de Zandschulp with strong momentum, boasting a 30–9 clay-court record this season and three Challenger titles. In contrast, van de Zandschulp has struggled recently, with early exits in his last three tournaments. Given Nava’s superior form and clay-court success, he may have a slight edge over van de Zandschulp.
Prediction: Nava in 5
Damian
Nava had a brilliant swing in South America and then on green clay, but his most recent performances started producing questions regarding his long-term prospects this season. Playing heavy into his backhand has been the meta, and van de Zandschulp can definitely do it off both wings. The American will need a lot of work here to not be on the back foot way too much.
Prediction: van de Zandschulp in 4
Shane
Nava is amidst the best season of his young career and should enter this match with confidence. Van de Zandschulp has never been very strong on the clay. I’ll take Nava to win his French Open debut.
Prediction: Nava in 4
Alex Michelsen vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo
Ilemona
Juan Manuel Cerundolo enters his first-round match against Alex Michelsen with a slight edge. Cerúndolo has demonstrated solid form on clay, including a strong performance in the qualifiers, while Michelsen is making his second main-draw appearance at Roland Garros. Given Cerúndolo’s experience and recent results, he is favored to advance in a competitive four-set match.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 5
Damian
Michelsen was brilliant at the Challenger in Estoril, balancing his aggressive options and gritting it out on clay. But then he lost to Djere with barely any fight in Rome, so it’s unclear what to think about his newfound clay enjoyment. Cerundolo knows this surface like the back of his hand, and this might not be an easy opener at all.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 5
Shane
Seeded at Roland Garros, the young American has been up and down on clay throughout his early career. On the other hand, this is Juan Manuel Cerundolo’s best surface. He will attempt to grind Michelsen down. This match all hinges on how well the American can serve. Give me Michelsen in 5.
Prediction: Michelsen in 5
Reilly Opelka vs Rinky Hijikata
Ilemona
Reilly Opelka’s powerful serve gives him the edge over Rinky Hijikata, though the slower surface could provide Hijikata opportunities to counterattack. Opelka remains the favorite to advance.
Prediction: Opelka in 3
Damian
Hijikata had by far the best clay week of his career in Bordeaux, but the conditions at Roland Garros are a little slower than that. Translating that form to Paris might not be so obvious, and it’s good for him that he received a winnable matchup. But in a coin toss like that, maybe you could assume the endless bombs from the Opelka serve might be decisive in the end.
Prediction: Opelka in 5
Shane
Opelka is back to full-time tour action! Although clay isn’t his best surface, he should be able to overwhelm Hijikata with his serve and first-ball prowess.
Prediction: Opelka in 4
Tomas Machac vs Quentin Halys
Ilemona
Despite retiring from his recent match in Geneva, Tomas Machac remains the favorite over Quentin Halys thanks to his higher ranking and stronger season form. Halys’ home advantage could make it competitive, but Machac should advance.
Prediction: Machac in 5
Damian
Machac has been a machine recently, but unfortunately, it’s just a retirement/walkover one. There’s no denying that his quality is incredible when he’s healthy enough to put it together, but that’s just rarely the case. Even though Halys isn’t at his best on clay, he’s got the kind of game that puts a lot of pressure on you, and I’m not sure Machac will respond right now.
Prediction: Halys in 5
Shane
Machac has a much higher ceiling than Halys, but his current form/health is a major question mark. When someone enters Roland Garros not feeling their best, it is always advisable to pick against them.
Prediction: Halys in 4
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea – USA TODAY Sports
