It promises to be another day of gripping clay-court tennis at the French Open. There are 16 intriguing second-round matches on the slate in Paris and, as ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Alexander Zverev vs Tomas Machac, Rafael Jodar vs James Duckworth, and Novak Djokovic vs Valentin Royer. But who will advance?
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Joao Fonseca vs Dino Prizmic
Ateet: This is a matchup most tennis fans will have an eye on, and I think it will deliver. Both players have plenty of firepower and are not afraid to go for their shots. Joao Fonseca has the better serve, but Dino Prizmic’s defense and athleticism could be the difference. The recent form and confidence will also help Prizmic in the big moments.
Prediction: Prizmic in 5
Harsh: It will be interesting to follow Fonseca’s journey at the French Open. The Brazilian is a definite potential candidate for the second week. He does not enter with a lot of momentum but he has started pretty well here. He faces the Czech Prizmic who plays with a lot of heart and may even win a set but Fonseca has a lot more power which should aid him in winning.
Prediction: Fonseca in 4
Zain: This exciting encounter between two youngsters pits the firepower of Fonseca against the counterpunching abilities of Prizmic. Both players are suited to slower clay courts, as this is expected to be a classic. While Fonseca, despite struggling with physical issues this year, has shown glimpses of his talent against the better players on tour, Prizmic has just had the better clay-court season and is the more confident player entering this match. I think that edge in consistency should be decisive from the baseline for Prizmic to get another confident victory here.
Prediction: Prizmic in 4
Alex Michelsen vs Nishesh Basavareddy
Ateet: Alex Michelsen won his first round match easily and spent just over one and a half hours on the court. His serve got a good boost under the hot weather, but that might not happen to that degree when he takes on Nishesh Basavareddy. This match is scheduled last on Court 13, and Michelsen will find it tough to get cheap points on his serve. Basavareddy is full of confidence, and I am backing him to win this.
Prediction: Basavareddy in 4
Harsh: Michelsen will be looking to make a mark in the coming two weeks as the American has all the ingredients to reach the quarterfinals at least. He faces Basavareddy who is no doubt on a high after taking out Fritz. Expect Basavareddy to take a set but Michelsen has looked strong this season and he should be the one moving ahead.
Prediction: Michelsen in 4
Zain: This all-American clash between two youngsters will likely test Michelsen’s offensive prowess against Basavareddy, who is a willing counterpuncher himself and got the upset over Taylor Fritz in the first round. With that confidence-inducing win, I expect Basavareddy to again be solid from the baseline in this match. And while that should make life tough for Michelsen, he does have the offensive firepower and variety to hit through Basavareddy. Ultimately, in a match that I expect to go five sets, I am backing the higher-ranked and more attacking player here.
Prediction: Michelsen in 5
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Ateet: Pablo Carreno Busta took great advantage of Jiri Lehecka’s lacklustre level in the first round and got only his second main draw win on clay this season. I think he is a big favourite to take out Thanasi Kokkinakis, who has struggled with injury and might not be at his best after playing for over four hours in the first round.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 4
Harsh: Carreno Busta turned back the clock in taking out the twelfth seed Lehecka in a fantastic performance. He now takes on Kokkinakis whose first round match has made headlines for the improbable comeback. Expect another titanic battle here with Carreno Busta as the victor based on his superior consistency from the baseline.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 5
Zain: Both players should be happy to reach the second round, as Carreno Busta pulled off one of the upsets of the tournament in the first round, while Kokkinakis, as he often does at the French Open, came through a five-set match. The Aussie, who has played very little ATP tennis in the past year, should be physically limited here after another long encounter. If that is true, I expect Carreno Busta’s baseline consistency and better movement on clay to show as the Spaniard reaches the third round.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 4
Alex de Minaur vs Arthur Blockx
Ateet: Alex de Minaur was solid in his first-round victory over Toby Samuel, but he will need to increase his level quite a bit to take out the in-form Alexander Blockx. These two met earlier this European clay season, where the Australian won in two tight sets. However, Blockx has been getting better with each tournament, and I think this match will go the distance. De Minaur’s experience and stamina should help him win in the end.
Prediction: de Minaur in 5
Harsh: de Minaur has hit the ground running and he needed to as well after middling returns in the clay court season. His next opponent in Blockx who has impressed at times this year and he should make things interesting. Expect de Minaur to fight hard and rely on his defense to win a lot of points in a match that looks likely to go the distance.
Prediction: de Minaur in 5
Zain: One of the matches of the second round sees Alex de Minaur take on Alexander Blockx in what is a rematch of their Monte Carlo clash just over a month ago. In that match, de Minaur outlasted the young Belgian, but Blockx has shown over the past couple of weeks that his level has been improving day by day.
As such, he will look to use his aggressive nature to outhit the Aussie, but that task itself has proven to be quite difficult over the years, as de Minaur is one of the best movers and defenders on court. And while de Minaur has not had his best clay swing this year, I still expect him to have enough from the back of the court to get a hard-fought victory here and reach the third round.
Prediction: de Minaur in 4
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports