Day 2 of the Rolex Paris Masters has 15 matches scheduled, and spectators will be treated to an exciting day of competition. The matches are a combination of first and second rounds, and this article features Casper Ruud, who will face Jordan Thompson. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance?
ATP Paris Day 2 Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Head-to-Head: Khachanov 6-3 Carreno Busta
Karen Khachanov has reinvented his lost form in the last couple of weeks and is playing some great tennis. He lost in the final of Vienna on Sunday and has a short turnaround to face a familiar opponent. Khachanov is a former champion of the Paris Masters so he should be excited to be back here. Pablo Carreno Busta was building some form before the US Open but has lost four of his last five matches since. These two know each other exceptionally and have squared off on the biggest stages of important tournaments. But most of the matches have gone Khachanov’s way and seeing the current form of both, I have to pick him.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Lorenzo Musetti vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-Head: Musetti 1-0 Struff
Lorenzo Musetti won a stunning match against Alexander Zverev in Vienna last week and will look to produce some of that tennis again this week. Musetti was returning super well, which will help him against Jan-Lennard Struff’s big serve. Struff has lost in the opening round of the Paris Masters in his last two appearances. However, both losses were against pretty strong fast-court players. Struff’s serve is a weapon on these courts but he also gets rushed on his forehand wing due to the court’s speed. The Italian player’s variety will be key to breaking the rhythm of the play.
Prediction: Musetti in 3
Ben Shelton vs Corentin Moutet
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Ben Shelton had another successful week in Basel and should be happy with his improved consistency on the tour. Shelton lost in the first round here last year but he is a better player now and should be able to beat Corentin Moutet, who is never easy to play in France but the American would rather face him here than at the clay courts of Roland Garros. Moutet did well to qualify but I can’t see him beating the in-form Shelton. However, he might make this a match if he can involve the crowd enough.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Casper Ruud vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-Head: Ruud 3-3 Thompson
Casper Ruud must have expected to have already qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals with how good he was for the first half of the season. But his recent form and early losses have put a little doubt on his chances to qualify. He is still in a good position and his faith rests on his hands. However, he faces a very tough opponent in his opening match. Jordan Thompson has always troubled Ruud and has won both hard-court matches against him this year. Thompson took out Ruud recently in straight sets in Tokyo and will look to do the same. Ruud’s limitation on fast courts can become his undoing again, especially if Thompson plays like he did in the first round.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
