The French Open continues on day 3 with 20 men’s singles matches, including three-time champion Novak Djokovic squaring off against Mackenzie McDonald. Our other prediction pieces feature Alexander Zverev vs Learner Tien, Daniil Medvedev vs Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper vs Matteo Bellucci, and Gael Monfils vs Hugo Dellien. Ateet Shrivastava, Nurein Ahmed, and Tope Oke offer their insights. But who will advance to the second round?
French Open Men’s Day 3 Predictions
Jesper de Jong vs Francesco Passaro
Ateet
Jesper de Jong showed some brilliant form in Rome and will be confident about performing at a high level here. De Jong defeated Jack Draper and pushed Carlos Alcaraz here last year, showing his toughness on clay. Francesco Passaro has also had a couple of solid wins this month and can keep this match close if he plays at his best. However, the Dutch player remains the favourite to come out on top.
Prediction: de Jong in 4
Nurein
This should be a baseline grind that could have four or five sets. De Jong is undoubtedly a player with a compelling clay resume and was impressive in Rome. Passaro’s shot tolerance is just a level or two below the Dutchman, and there is a question mark regarding his fitness after his retirement at the Turin Challenger.
Prediction: de Jong in 4
Tope
The two have met once before at the Challenger level, with De Jong winning that encounter against Passaro in three sets last year on the clay courts of Cagliari. Both athletes are adept on this surface, and while the match is expected to be closely contested, the same outcome is expected.
Prediction: de Jong in 4
Pierre-Hugues Herbert vs Benjamin Bonzi
Ateet
Bonzi failed to qualify for the main draw last year, but this time he gets an automatic entry due to his rise in rankings. Bonzi looked great in Madrid before withdrawing mid-match against Taylor Fritz. Playing against an experienced compatriot won’t be easy, but I believe he will win this match if he is fully fit.
Prediction: Bonzi in 4
Nurein
It’s an all-French clash that will divide the crowd, but at least one home favorite will be in the second round of the French Open. Both players last won a match in this tournament five years ago (main draw). Bonzi is probably the favorite because he’s been playing well, but it depends on how well he’s recovered from the injury he sustained in Madrid.
Prediction: Bonzi in 4
Tope
This all-French encounter will see former doubles partners Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Benjamin Bonzi square up for a place in the second round. While the former has won a Challenger title this year, Bonzi’s trade has been limited by injuries, and I am unsure if he is fully fit. I will back Herbert to edge a win.
Prediction: Herbert in 5
Alexander Bublik vs James Duckworth
Ateet
Bublik has shown some commitment and focus on clay this season, winning three matches in Madrid and then winning the Turin Challenger this month. He has only won four matches in six main draw appearances at the French Open. However, his opponent, James Duckworth, has an even worse record with just one win in seven appearances. Bublik should win this one comfortably.
Prediction: Bublik in 4
Nurein
Bublik is an excellent shot maker, but he’s unpredictable. Nobody knows which version will turn up for this first-round match. If he stays engaged, Bublik should prevail here. Duckworth won a clay-court title on the Challenger Tour very recently, but it could be argued in a comparatively weaker field. This will be a step up for the Aussie.
Prediction: Bublik in 4
Tope
Both players have had some notable moments on clay this season, including two Challenger titles. Although they haven’t faced each other on clay before, Bublik won their only prior match in the third round of the Miami Open in 2021. The Kazakh player can occasionally lose focus and tends to be unpredictable, but I expect him to win what promises to be a lengthy duel.
Prediction: Bublik in 5
Novak Djokovic vs Mackenzie McDonald
Ateet
Novak Djokovic comes into the tournament on the back of winning his 100th title. Djokovic needed some match wins, and he got that in Geneva last week. He has an extremely difficult draw to win the title, but shouldn’t face many problems in winning the first round match. Mackenzie MacDonald has won just one match on clay this season, and most likely won’t win another.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Nurein
Look, Djokovic hasn’t looked invincible this season, but he is still undefeated at this venue since 2022. He’s also coming off a morale-boosting title win in Geneva that will surely set the tone for a routine win in his opening match.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Tope
Djokovic has an excellent path ahead of him in this tournament, and it would be a mistake to overlook him as one of the front-runners. He is confident and has found his rhythm after a crucial week in Geneva, where he claimed his first title since the Olympics. McDonald hasn’t competed since the Madrid Open over a month ago and does not consider himself strong on clay surfaces, and this should be an emphatic win for the Serb.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – Imagn Images
