Frenchmen Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Pierre-Hugues Herbert will headline the first day of competition at Roland Garros on Sunday. Mpetshi Perricard drew Novak Djokovic in the opening round, while Herbert faces unseeded Lorenzo Sonego.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs. (3) Novak Djokovic
Djokovic and Mpetshi Perricard will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in round one of the French Open on Sunday night. With just one clay-court match under his belt this spring, Djokovic arrives at Roland Garros as somewhat of a question mark. Still, the 38-year-old is always an entirely different beast at Grand Slams. In fact, he has reached the semifinals at five consecutive slams dating back to the start of 2025.
Mpetshi Perricard also carries zero momentum into Paris. The 22-year-old Frenchman briefly entered the top 30 last season but currently finds himself at No. 80 in the world due in part to a 6-11 record on the main tour in 2026. Although Mpetshi Perricard captured a clay-court title at the 2024 Lyon event, this surface is certainly his worst — the one on which his booming serve is least effective. Even a mediocre performance by Djokovic should be enough to get the job done without too much trouble.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
Lorenzo Sonego vs. (Q) Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Herbert is turning back the clock a bit, making just his third main-draw appearance at a Grand Slam since the start of 2022 — but his third in a row at Roland Garros. The 35-year-old Frenchman earned his way into the field of 128 by qualifying at the expense of Kaichi Uchida and Leandro Riedi (he also got a walkover from Jan Choinski). Herbert comes in at 223rd in the rankings, but he has at least enjoyed occasional Challenger success this season.
Up first for Herbert on Sunday is Sonego, whom he has never faced. The 31-year-old Italian has also gone in the wrong direction on the rankings chart in recent seasons, although he at least still registers in the top 70 (currently 69th). Sonego is just 3-5 for the season and is on a five-match losing streak, having picked up only a single victory since the Australian Open. Amidst what will surely be a rowdy, pro-Herbert atmosphere, the crowd favorite should be able to continue his momentum from qualifying.
Pick: Herbert in 4