It’s time for the second round of the french open.
Well... kinda.
We still have a couple of first-round matches that need wrapping up.
Here is what you can expect to see today, and my predictions for the upcoming matches.
Simona Halep vs. Alison Riske
The world number one; Simona Halep has this in the bag. Alison Riske failed to win a single match in qualifying at Madrid, and Rome and couldn’t beat the lower-ranked Dalila Jakupovic in Bogota.
My prediction: Halep in straight sets.
Kei Nishikori vs. Benoit Paire
Having scored some good wins against top-20 players, Benoit Paire may cause some problems for the world number 21; Kei Nishikori.
My prediction: Nishikori in five sets.
Georgina Garcia Perez vs. Caroline Wozniacki
Facing a few issues in the first set against Danielle Collins, Wozniacki managed to pull through and win her first round match. Garcia Perez wasn’t expected to make it through to the second round and in this case, I think her journey may stop here.
My prediction: Wozniacki in straight sets.
Lucas Pouille vs. Cameron Norrie
The brit (who was born in South Africa, grew up in New Zealand and went to college in America) will have a tough battle against the top-seeded Frenchman; Pouille.
My prediction: Pouille in four sets.
Viktoria Kuzmova vs. Elina Svitolina
Kuzmova may have defeated a former french open champion in her first round but I think the 4th seed may be too hard a task for the 20-year old Slovakian.
My prediction: Svitolina in three sets. Kuzmova won’t be too easy to beat.
Jaume Munar vs. Novak Djokovic
I’m sure the 21-year old Spaniard will be excited (and nervous) to play a almost-returned-to-form Novak Djokovic in his second round match.
My prediction: Unfortunately for the world number 155, his lack of grand slam experience will hinder him in this match up. Djokovic in straight sets.
David Goffin vs. Corentin Moutet
The french wildcard will be looking to cause a top-seeding upset in this match up with the talented David Goffin.
My prediction: does Moutet have what it takes? Maybe. Maybe not. I’m going for a Goffin win in four sets.
Alizé Cornet vs. Pauline Parmentier
The 32nd seed will be disappointed to be facing a fellow frenchwoman in her second round match at Roland Garros.
My prediction: Tough one to call. I’m going for an upset. Parmentier in three sets.
Petra Kvitova vs. Lara Arruabarrena
Kvitova had a great first round match, and should now be warmed up to make an impact in the tournament, and I don’t see her week ending here.
My prediction: Kvitova in straight sets.
Dusan Lajovic vs. Alexander Zverev
One of the favourites to potentially take the title from the king of clay; Rafael Nadal is Alexander Zverev. The second seed shouldn’t have much trouble against Serbian; Dusan Lajovic.
My prediction: Zverev in three easy sets.
Martin Klizan vs. Gael Monfils
After putting on quite a show in his first round match; Gael Monfils will be hoping to have a bit of an easier time against the former world number 24; Klizan.
My prediction: a long one, but Monfils should come out on top in five sets.
Daria Kasatkina vs. Kirsten Flipkens
The 21-year old Russian; Kasatkina may cause some problems for the 14th seed Belarusian; Flipkens.
My prediction: I’m going for an upset here. Kasatkina in three sets.
Zarina Diyas vs. Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka has been taking women's tennis by storm, and has performed extremely well this year. I can’t imagine Zarina Diyas being able to take more than a few games off the 21st seed.
My prediction: Osaka in straight sets and through to the second week.
Jared Donaldson vs. Grigor Dimitrov
Not much to say about this match up. Grigor Dimitrov will have too much power for Donaldson to even take a set off the 4th seed.
My prediction: Dimitrov in straight sets, and one to watch for the title.
Dominic Thiem vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
With a career high of world number 4; Dominic Thiem is going to be a difficult one to beat on clay, and Tsitsipas won’t have enough ammo to do the damage necessary.
My prediction: Thiem in straight sets.
Maria Sakkari vs. Carla Suarez Navarro
A favourite of mine; Navarro will face a difficult challenge against 22-year old former world number 39; Maria Sakkari. She was impressive in her first round match against Minella but I’m not sure her Roland Garros journey will continue.
My prediction: A tough three-setter that Navarro will win.
Ekaterina Makarova vs. Barbora Strycova
As a former top-10 player; Makarova might cause an upset here and knock out the 26th seeded; Strycova.
My prediction: Makarova in three sets.
Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Santiago Giraldo
I have always enjoyed watching Giraldo play and find that on clay, he performs his best but Bautista Agut has jumped up the rankings and sits just outside the top 10. A difficult one to call.
My prediction: I’m going for an upset here. Giraldo in four sets.
Karen Khachanov vs. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez
The 22-year old Russian and the 34-year old spaniard will battle it out for a place in the third round.
My prediction: I’m not one to bet against a spaniard at Roland Garros, especially one as seasoned as Garcia-Lopez. He should win in four sets.
Kateryna Kozlova vs. Katerina Siniakova
She knocked out former champion; Ostapenko in her first round match, and I think Kozlova will have too much confidence to lose this against Siniakova.
My prediction: Kozlova in three sets.
Yulia Putintseva vs. Jennifer Brady
Putintseva knocked out Britain's number 1; Johanna Konta in the first round, and Brady put in an amazing performance, only losing two games in her first round match against Hesse.
My prediction: It’s a difficult one, but I’m going with Putintseva in three sets.
Alexandra Dulgheru vs. Anett Kontaveit
Seeded 25th; Kontaveit is one to watch for this tournament, and I don’t think the Romanian will be able to knock her out of the french open.
My prediction: Kontaveit in straight sets and into the second week.
Fernando Verdasco vs. Guido Andreozzi
For some reason, Verdasco enjoys playing long, five-setter matches in grand slams, and I’m sure this match will be the same.
My prediction: Verdasco in five sets.
Matteo Berrettini vs. Ernests Gulbis
I bet against Gulbis in his first round match, and as he got through that, I’m sure he will be able to overcome the Italian to make it to the third round.
My prediction: Gulbis in four sets.
Mariana Duque-Marino vs. Camila Giorgi
Columbia vs. Italy. If I was to look at experience, I know who I would choose.
My prediction: Giorgi in three sets.
Federico Delbonis vs. Pablo Carreno Busta
I don’t think the 10th seed; Busta will have any issues against Argentina Delbonis although, he may lose a set along the way.
My prediction: Busta in four sets.
Madison Keys vs. Caroline Dolehide
American vs. American. The 13th seed will play 19-year old Dolehide.
My prediction: Madison Keys in straight sets, and into the second week.
Gilles Simon vs. Sam Querrey
The frenchman will need the crowd on his side today as he faces the 12th seed, hard-hitter; Sam Querrey.
My prediction: Querrey in five sets.
Magdalena Frech vs. Sloane Stephens
The talented American; Stephens will play qualifier; Frech.
My prediction: Sloane Stephens in straight sets and into the second week.
Mihaela Buzarnescu vs. Rebecca Peterson
After beating Vania King in her first round match; Buzarnescu will be looking to take out qualifier; Rebecca Peterson.
My prediction: Mihaela Buzarnescu in three sets.
Damir Dzumhur vs. Radu Albot
After a long five-set match against french favourite; Radu Albot will have an uphill battle against the 26th seed; Dzumhur.
My prediction: Dzumhur will have more energy, and will win in four sets.
Petra Martic vs. Qiang Wang
Facing her second chinese player; Martic will be looking to move into the third round of the french open, and hopefully matching last years performance where she departed the tournament in the fourth round.
My prediction: Petra Martic in three sets.
Marco Trungelliti vs. Marco Cecchinato
Story of the tournament so far comes from Marco Trungelliti. After driving overnight from Barcelona back to Paris to take the place of Kyrgios as a lucky loser, he went on to beat Bernard Tomic. This isn’t a bad draw for him, and I’m rooting to see him in the third round.
My prediction: Trungelliti in four sets. Please!
Let’s see what day 4 of the french open brings. I’m sure more shock loses. Especially in the women's draw!
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