The first round of the 2024 French Open continues on Monday, Day 2 of the event. There are 24 men’s singles matches scheduled, and–as always–we here at LastWordOnTennis share our thoughts on all of them. We split the 24 matches between six articles. Our other five articles feature Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton vs Hugo Gaston, Jannik Sinner vs Christopher Eubanks, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Marton Fucsovics, and Daniil Medvedev vs Dominik Koepfer. Predicting today’s matches are Jordan Reynolds, Damian Kust, and Yesh Ginsburg.
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Sumit Nagal
Jordan:
It is tough to see how Nagal can disrupt Khachanov. The Grand Slam semifinalist is likely to dictate the vast majority of the rallies. Nagal will struggle to win three sets playing like that.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Damian:
Khachanov is usually extremely solid in these early Slam rounds, although he was two sets to love down against a lefty here last year. Nagal is probably at a similar threat level and could take over control over the rallies if the Russian isn’t careful. It’s just tough not to trust someone who’s usually not vulnerable to upsets at all.
Prediction: Khachanov in 4
Yesh:
I always like to imagine players see Nagal’s name come up in draws and get really scared before they realize it has a g, not a d. Nadal would be a challenge for Khachanov here. Nagal won’t.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Dusan Lajovic vs Roman Safiullin
Jordan:
Lajovic is past his prime but he faces an opponent who is wildly inconsistent. That makes this a difficult match to predict. At this stage of Lajovic’s career, Safiullin’s greater firepower may have a slight edge.
Prediction: Safiullin in 5
Damian:
Lajovic had a bit a of a moment in Barcelona, but after that he’s gone back to being in pretty mediocre form. Safiullin would like to get there presently and given the surface and conditions in Paris, probably has to be perceived as the underdog here. With Lajovic not on top of his game right now, it still looks pretty open though.
Prediction: Lajovic in 5
Yesh:
I have zero idea who will win this match, solely because I don’t expect much from either player right now. Lajovic has potential, but overall is in poor form. Safiullin, meanwhile, can be amazing when he redlines, but his game isn’t suited for clay and he hasn’t been in great form, either.
Prediction: Lajovic in 3
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Gustavo Heide vs Sebastian Baez
Jordan:
Baez could be a dark horse for a deep run at the French Open. His game is formidable in all departments on clay when he finds his range. Heide is very unlikely to be the player to stop him in Paris.
Prediction: Baez in 3
Damian:
This Roland Garros should be where Baez steps up and makes the third round at least, especially given he’s won the most clay-court matches on tour this season so far. Heide did well to qualify but it would be a huge step up for him to push a Top 20 player here and all seems to be pointing towards a Baez victory.
Prediction: Baez in 3
Yesh:
Heide both impressed and surprised me by qualifying, but he’s going to be outmatched here.
Prediction: Baez in 3
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Gael Monfils vs Thiago Seyboth Wild
Jordan:
Monfils has been open about how he finds it more difficult to compete and recover on clay than in the past. It is not certain how much that will be put to the test by Seyboth Wild, who is extremely inconsistent. At his best, the Brazilian’s powerful shotmaking is likely to have enough against Monfils and his adoring fans.
Prediction: Seyboth Wild in 4
Damian:
Monfils has had a disaster of a clay swing. Is that just how it’s going to be at this stage of his career, and he’ll only produce results on hard courts? Maybe. All logic points to Seyboth Wild taking this one, but we know the French crowd will bring in a great atmosphere and Monfils knows how to feed off that energy. He’ll make it trickier than it looks on paper.
Prediction: Seyboth Wild in 5
Yesh:
Honestly, I don’t care how poorly Monfils has been playing in recent months. This crowd will not let him lose this match. He’ll find a way through, somehow.
Prediction: Monfils in 4
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports