Jannik Sinner, a pre-tournament favorite to win the Roland Garros crown, will face French veteran Richard Gasquet on Wednesday. Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz will also be in second-round action against Brandon Nakashima.
(2) Jannik Sinner vs. (WC) Richard Gasquet
The crowd will not be on Jannik Sinner’s side during his Wednesday match against Richard Gasquet. Sinner, who is a crowd favorite almost everywhere he goes, is looking for his second major in a row– having won his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January. Ordinarily this would spell heavy crowd support, but the home crowd will surely pull for its veteran star. It’s not likely to make a difference.
Sinner was forced to cut short his clay preparation for this event; the world No. 2 nursed a hip injury he sustained in Madrid a few weeks ago. His fitness for the fortnight in Paris was in question, but Sinner claims it is no longer bothering him. “I’m not concerned anymore about my hip,” he explained. “The last tests we made, they were very positive. That’s why I’m here. I said I come only here if the hip, it’s in a good shape.”
Gasquet did well to get past Borna Coric in the first round–to the delight of an appreciative crowd–but taking on a healthy and fit Sinner would be asking too much. The Italian wasn’t at his fighting best in his first-round win over Christopher Eubanks, but he’ll still be shaking off the rust of his month of recovery.
Cheryl pick: Sinner in 3
Ricky pick: Sinner in 3
(8) Hubert Hurkacz vs. Brandon Nakashima
Hubert Hurkacz is no clay-court specialist. The world No. 8 collects most of his rankings points on quicker surfaces, where his big serve is capable of doing more damage. Hurkacz has already played five sets of tennis. He was pushed to a decider by the Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki in the first round; Mochizuki is ranked 162nd in the world.
Brandon Nakashima has seen his ranking slide on the heels of a dismal first half of the season. The American came into Paris with a 5-6 record and spent much of his spring on the Challenger circuit trying to find his form. In this case the surface will be something of an equalizer. Clay takes some of the bite out of Hurkacz’s serve and may give Nakashima more looks at the Pole’s service games. Still, with the world No. 84 struggling right now, he isn’t likely to do more than snag a set.
Cheryl pick: Hurkacz in 4
Ricky pick: Hurkacz in 4