Thanasi Kokkinakis and Felix Auger-Aliassime are two of the most exciting players on the ATP Tour, they are featured players on day 1 of the French Open in Paris. Our panelists Steen Kirby and Damian Kust have predictions for every day 1 match from the second Grand Slam of the season.
Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Albert Ramos
Damian Kust: Albert Ramos-Vinolas wasn’t able to find his form in the European part of the clay-court and now comes to Paris a bit undercooked. Even though Thanasi Kokkinakis played just two events, he looked very competitive in Geneva. His serve and forehand aren’t as deadly as on faster conditions, but he can still manoeuver the ball around the court very well with his leading shot. Kokkinakis in 5
Steen Kirby: Ramos was a semifinalist in Estoril but enters this tournament with three straight opening match losses (four losses in a row). Kokkinakis reached the quarterfinals in Geneva, he’s worse on clay than his opponent generally, but Ramos looks to be fading a bit and Kokkinakis will get him in a bad patch of form. Kokkinakis in 4
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Juan Pablo Varillas
Damian: Felix Auger-Aliassime lost in the first round at Roland Garros the past two years, while his opposition there was probably weaker than Juan Pablo Varillas. Still, after his display in Madrid and Rome, you can’t really pick against the Canadian. Auger-Aliassime in 4
Steen: Varillas qualified and has been solid on clay at the Challenger Tour level, he should be a bit out of his depth against Auger-Aliassime, the Canadian put together four quarterfinal showings in a row at ATP clay court tournaments, including in Rome and Madrid. Auger-Aliassime will have his sights set on a deep run in Paris and should get off to a winning start if he can dispatch the threat of Varillas who is a comfortable dirtballer. Auger-Aliassime in 3
John Isner vs Quentin Halys
Damian: Quentin Halys has been killing it on the Challenger Tour this season, but can he take it to the main circuit? This should be a servefest and against a rather weak version of John Isner, he will like his chances. Halys in 4
Steen: Isner was a finalist in Houston and went 2-2 on European clay as he prepared for the French Open. Halys has reached the quarterfinals or better in his last three clay court outings on the Challenger tour, including a recent final. With home support I like him for the upset, Isner’s game has degraded with age, and though his serve is formidable, clay isn’t the surface that rewards his ace heavy game as easily. Halys in 4
Pablo Cuevas vs Jenson Brooksby
Damian: Jenson Brooksby is still learning red clay, but Pablo Cuevas is hardly the player he once was. Artistry and variety goes to the Uruguayan, but the more important physical advantage (especially in a best-of-five) goes to the youngster. Brooksby in 5
Steen: Cuevas hasn’t been amazing on clay in 2022, but he’s consistently been winning matches on the surface this year, like he has his entire career. Brooksby had two quality wins in Rome but doesn’t have the track record on clay his opponent does. If Brooksby has turned a corner on the surface he should win, but I like Cuevas experience in best of 5. Cuevas in 4
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