Day 3 at the Rolex Paris Masters features another loaded slate of tennis as some of the top-seeded players in the draw begin their tournament. No. 4 seed Daniil Medvedev, the 2020 ATP Paris Champion, squares off against Alexei Popyrin in the Round of 32. Elsewhere around the grounds, Taylor Fritz matches up against Jack Draper. As always, we at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings in Paris. But who will advance?
ATP Paris Day 3 Predictions
Adrian Mannarino vs Zizou Bergs
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Adrian Mannarino broke his seven-match Master’s losing streak on Monday with a straight-set victory over Tommy Paul. The French crowd loves the 36-year-old, something the Frenchman uses to his advantage in Paris. Lucky Loser Zizou Bergs took down Richard Gasquet in Round 1. I do not expect him to get by another Frenchman.
Prediction: Mannarino in 2
Ben Shelton vs Arthur Cazaux
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Coming off a run to the Basel final, Ben Shelton picked up where he left off with a tough three-set win over Corentin Moutet. He gets another Frenchman in the second round, and it is 22-year-old Arthur Cazaux. Cazaux received a Lucky Loser slot after Jannik Sinner pulled out and will be feeling the pressure of impressing in front of the home fans. Shelton is the much better player, but could he be worn out? I’ll take the American in two tight sets.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
Ugo Humbert vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-Head: Humbert 3-0 Giron
No. 15 seed Ugo Humbert started his ATP Paris campaign with a hard-fought three-set win over Brandon Nakashima. He squares off against another American in Round 2, qualifier Marcos Giron. The 31-year-old has played the best tennis of his career in 2024. He has clean, powerful groundstrokes that suit the indoor hard courts. That said, Humbert has the backing of the home crowd and the confidence to dispatch Giron in straight sets at this event last year.
Prediction: Humbert in 2
Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin
Head-to-Head: Medvedev 3-0 Popyrin
No. 4 seed Daniil Medvedev gets a tricky Round of 32 matchup against Alexei Popyrin. The upset-minded Aussie scored an impressive first-round win over Matteo Berrettini. Popyrin possesses power off both wings and a serve to match. Unfortunately for him, Medvedev is one of the best on tour in absorbing pace. This match will be fun, but Medvedev will get it done.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
