French Open Men’s Singles Day 2 Predictions including Fritz vs Altmaier

Day two at the French Open should feature plenty of entertaining tennis with 24 intriguing first-round matches on the slate. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Jannik Sinner vs Arthur Rinderknech, Casper Ruud vs Albert Ramos Vinolas, Carlos Alcaraz vs Giulio Zeppieri, Holger Rune vs Roberto Bautista Agut, and Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry. But who will advance?

French Open Day 2 Predictions

Daniel Altmaier vs Taylor Fritz

Ilemona: Taylor Fritz enters the French Open as the clear favorite against Daniel Altmaier. While Altmaier has a history of upsetting higher-ranked players on clay, Fritz’s strong form suggest he should advance in four sets.

Prediction: Fritz in 4

Damian: Altmaier has produced upsets over Berrettini or Sinner at Roland Garros before and knows how to handle a big match. He’ll be setting up a picnic behind the baseline and waiting for Fritz to invite him to turn defense into offense. This looks winnable for Altmaier after the American had a rough clay season, but I’m not going to pick it.

Prediction: Fritz in 5

Tope: Tricky tie for Fritz as the surface narrows the gulf between both players. The German will be feeling confident he can get something from this match against an opponent who has won just as many matches as he has lost on clay this season. Set the upset bells ringing.

Prediction: Altmaier in 5

Yesh: Fritz might have nearly peaked, and he’s not good enough to win a French Open. He is good enough to go deep in this tournament, though, and more than good enough to easily win this match.

Prediction: Fritz in 3

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Hugo Gaston vs Ugo Blanchet

Ilemona: Hugo Gaston is the favorite against qualifier Ugo Blanchet, but his recent inconsistency leaves the door open. Blanchet arrives with momentum from three qualifying wins and could push this all-French clash deep. Expect a tight battle, likely decided in four or five sets.

Prediction: Blanchet in 5

Damian: Blanchet qualifying was a minor surprise, but he got through a tough section and was playing inspired tennis with the crowd support. It will be a bit different in this all-French encounter without the partisan element to it. But Gaston’s playstyle is so unique and leaves the opponent room to breathe. Blanchet might use his momentum and take this.

Prediction: Blanchet in 5

Tope: Gaston has not managed to progress in any clay tournaments this season, suffering early exits in both main tour and Challenger events and even though Gaston is over 100 rankings higher than his compatriot, his lack of form combined with Blanchet’s success in the qualifiers means the outcome is far from guaranteed.

Prediction: Blanchet in 5

Yesh: Blanchet qualified for this event, not getting a wild card straight into the tournament. While that can serve as an inspiration, unfortunately for him, he’ll have minimal crowd support against a fellow Frenchman. Gaston is just better.

Prediction: Gaston in 3

Marcos Giron vs Tallon Griekspoor

Ilemona: Tallon Griekspoor leads the head-to-head and is in slightly better form on clay, making him the clear favorite against Marcos Giron. Giron might compete for a set or two but expect the Dutchman to advance.

Prediction: Griekspoor in 4

Damian: Griekspoor could be a dark horse contender at Roland Garros, although having Francisco Cerundolo in the second round makes this a bit more difficult. Last year he almost knocked out eventual finalist Zverev and on clay he really shouldn’t be losing to Giron, whose game is limited on the surface.

Prediction: Griekspoor in 4

Tope: Two power players meet for the fourth time with Griekspoor having won their lone match on clay and is expected to emerge victorious in this one having more experience on European clay and better suited to these conditions. The American won’t make it easy for him though.

Prediction: Griekspoor in 4

Yesh: These are two of the most under-appreciated players on Tour. Both are solid and seem to overperform, because they’ve each had their level very quietly rise in recent years. Neither gets flashy wins, but this should be a very enjoyable, high-quality match with two players that don’t make many mistakes.

Prediction: Griekspoor in 4

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Yoshihito Nishioka vs Alexei Popyrin

Ilemona: Alexei Popyrin has struggled at Roland Garros since his 2019 debut win but arrives this year with confidence after strong clay results in Monte Carlo and Geneva. Yoshihito Nishioka has the better record in Paris but is short on match fitness and form, having barely competed during the clay swing. With momentum and health on his side, Popyrin is well positioned to snap his French Open losing streak and level the head-to-head.

Prediction: Popyrin in 5

Damian: Popyrin has a poor record at Roland Garros, but this seems like a solid chance to do something about it. Especially as Nishioka hasn’t been fully healthy in a few months. Even if the Japanese does show up in Paris at 100%, his clay game is not that scary and Popyrin should be able to dominate.

Prediction: Popyrin in 4

Tope: Due to injury issues, Nishioka has played only one clay court match leading up to this event, which resulted in a first-round loss to Dusan Lajovic in Rome. He faces Popyrin who has not won an opening round match here since 2019 in what will be their first encounter on clay. The Australian should progress here against an opponent lacking match fitness.

Prediction: Popyrin in 4

Yesh: Yesh: I have no idea why every time Popyrin takes a step forward, he seems to take two steps back. His serve is incredible and his powerful baseline game should win him lots of matches. He just… doesn’t. On clay, though, I don’t think Nishioka will be able to hurt him at all.

Prediction: Popyrin in 4

Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

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