Predicted Winners in BOLD

Court Philippe CHATRIER 

[2] Daniil MEDVEDEV (RUS) vs Alexander BUBLIK (KAZ)  – I don’t think the #2 seed will last long at Roland Garros. It might be a stretch to have him winning this match. Clay is not his thing (yet if ever).

[8] Roger FEDERER (SUI) vs Denis ISTOMIN (UZB) – This feels a lot like the Andujar match as Istomin is not someone I’d want to be knocking off rust against. Still, more practice time and a 3 of 5 set match may give Federer enough time to find a way forward. Also, Andujar plays better defense than Istomin. Making someone hit a lot of balls who has barely played is a good strategy.   

Court Suzanne LENGLEN 

[18] Jannik SINNER (ITA) vs Pierre-Hugues HERBERT (FRA) – This is not the easiest first round match, but I like the talented youngster’s problem solving skills.

Jo-Wilfried TSONGA (FRA) vs Yoshihito NISHIOKA (JPN) – A sentimental pick to be sure.

Court Simonne MATHIEU

[15] Casper RUUD (NOR) vs  Benoit PAIRE (FRA) – I think most people are pulling for Ruud.

Marin CILIC (CRO) vs [WC] Arthur RINDERKNECH (FRA) – Cilic is not near his 2014-2018 form, but I think he wins here.

Court 4

[17] Milos Raonic (CAN) [LL] Francisco CERUNDOLO (ARG) vs Thiago MONTEIRO (BRA) – The lucky loser is playing with house money and takes a South American clash.

Sebastian KORDA (USA) vs Pedro MARTINEZ (ESP) – So long as Seb is not tired or having an emotional letdown from his first title, he should win.

Court 5

[Q] Maximilian MARTERER (GER) vs Filip KRAJINOVIC (SRB) – Each day of 1st round play I feel compelled to pick one match tough qualifier to win. My head says this is a bad pick.

Tommy PAUL (USA) vs Christopher O’CONNELL (AUS)

Court 6 

Cameron NORRIE (GBR) vs [Q] Bjorn FRATANGELO (USA)

[WC] Mathias BOURGUE (FRA) vs Dominik KOEPFER (GER)

Court 7

Steve JOHNSON (USA) vs Frances TIAFOE (USA) – The Big Foe has put in some time on red clay on the Challenger Circuit. I think it pays off, but Steve Johnson is never a pushover.

Kamil MAJCHRZAK (POL) vs [WC] Arthur CAZAUX (FRA)

Court 8

Gianluca MAGER (ITA) vs John MILLMAN (AUS) – Millman is a grinder and is fit. Both of those things mesh well with clay, but Italy’s tennis rise is no joke.

Jaime MUNAR (ESP) vs Jordan THOMPSON (AUS)

Court 9

[28] Nikoloz BASILASHVILI (GEO) vs Dusan LAJOVIC (SRB)

[30] Taylor FRITZ (USA) vs Joao SOUSA (POR) – I am torn looking at this match. Fritz is a really clean ball striker, but if Sousa makes movement a big factor in this match, everything changes in terms of who is favored.

Court 12

Radu ALBOT (MDA) vs Federico DELBONIS (ARG)

[Q] Carlos ALCARAZ (ESP) vs Bernabe ZAPATA MIRALLES (ESP) 

Court 13

[32] Reilly OPELKA (USA) vs [Q] Andrej MARTIN (SVK) – Opelka had a nice run in Rome, but if he doesn’t convert in tiebreaks or gets broken, this could obviously go the other direction.

[26] Lorenzo SONEGO (ITA) vs Lloyd HARRIS (RSA)  

Court 14

[31] John ISNER (USA) vs Sam QUERREY (USA) – This is intriguing in that they are familiar with each other’s games. I think Querrey has a bit more mobility and variety, but that may not matter much. If this goes 5, it could go deep into the 5th set.

[13] David GOFFIN (BEL) vs Lorenzo MUSETTI (ITA) – Goffin has looked a bit rough recently.