Tennis fans worldwide can look forward to the Denis Shapovalov vs Holger Rune round 1 clash at the French Open as day 3 of the tournament sees the first round finish out. Our panelists have predictions for every match on Tuesday.
Denis Shapovalov vs Holger Rune
Damian Kust: In the best-of-three format, Holger Rune would be the favorite against Denis Shapovalov right now. The problem is the constant physical issues the Dane has been facing. If he’s cramping after two hours against Manuel Guinard in Lyon, can he survive about three and a half here? If he wants to win this one, he’ll need to wrap it up quickly. It’s Denis Shapovalov’s job to stop him from doing that. Shapovalov in 5
Yesh Ginsburg: This should be an incredible opening matchup. Two young stars battling to start a Major. Shapovalov hits a little bigger right now and has more experience, which should be the difference. Shapovalov in 4
Jack Edward: Has anyone ever predicted a Denis Shapovalov match with any certainty? Shapovalov is able to take away some of Rune’s weapons in his drop-shot and his backhand cross-court with his blistering offence off his forehand – on match-up alone, Shapovalov is looking backable. We’ll assume there are enough heights on the roller-coaster for the Canadian to squeak through. Shapovalov in 5
Lucas Pouille vs Zdenek Kolar
Damian: A matchup where one player is unpredictable to a point that we never know what he’s going to bring to the table, and the other is the exact opposite of that. Do we go for consistency or talent? On this surface, Zdenek Kolar is fully capable of taking out Lucas Pouille and he’s got the fitness to play in a best-of-five format. Will all the hard work he’s put in get rewarded? Kolar in 5
Yesh: What does Pouille have left in the tank? The Frenchman is likely nearing the end of his career, but I think he can make one more good run in front of a home crowd. Pouille in 4
Jack: In his heyday, Pablo Andujar could always be considered a dark horse on clay. Though he’s not at his best at 36 years old, he’s still a force to be reckoned with and an out-of-form Cecchinato may struggle to fight back. Andujar in 4
Marco Cecchinato vs Pablo Andujar
Damian: A matchup between two veterans out of form, although Marco Cecchinato has just had a pretty decent week in Geneva. Pablo Andujar’s style is centered around his physicality, which doesn’t bode well for his chances here. The Italian is more about variety and mixing things up, and he’ll help himself by shortening the points with dropshots and net approaches. Cecchinato in 4
Yesh: Cecchinato reached the semifinals here not too long ago, but hasn’t been the same player since. Andujar is solid, which is enough to handle Cecchinato right now. Andujar in 4
Jack: In his heyday, Pablo Andujar could always be considered a dark horse on clay. Though he’s not at his best at 36 years old, he’s still a force to be reckoned with and an out-of-form Cecchinato may struggle to fight back. Andujar in 4
Ugo Humbert vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Damian: Ugo Humbert is too talented for this bad streak of his to keep going, but he’s not a great clay-courter at all. It’s also the weakest surface for Emil Ruusuvuori, but the Finn has looked a lot more competent on it this year. In a matchup of two very aggressive players, it might actually be the one who limits himself more and focuses on building up the rallies taking the win. Feels like a toss-up as neither is a particularly good tactician. Ruusuvuori in 5
Yesh: This should be a good matchup between two rising players. Humbert’s form hasn’t been great recently, though, so unless he can turn that around the Finn probably has this. Ruusuvuori in 4
Jack: Ugo Humbert should be the slightly more able of the two to excel on this surface and will benefit more than Ruusuvuori from a little more time on the return. It won’t be a completely assured performance but it’s difficult to see the Finn making too much headway with his flat strokes. Humbert in 4
Main Photo:
