Now that we’ve gotten through the first round we’re starting to get to the good Men’s matchups. Outside of Alcaraz and Novak, it is anybody’s tournament, and even them we’ve seen be mortal this year, particularly in best of 3 matches. Last Olympics it was Zverev taking the gold so anything can happen in the Olympics. The first round had way too many withdraws, causing some players with no singles ranking to step in and get to play in the Olympics. It’s ridiculous they’re alternate process isn’t similar to a grand slam and allow other players to play that deserve the chance, and also that’ll make it more competitive. These three highlighted men’s singles matches are all going to be battles but with good points and good shot making. My favorite part about these matches is there are no 6’8 guys serving bo,bs, they all have to work for their points. Fritz has the biggest serve and most aggressive game out of all 6 players but still he is no serve bot and has plenty of game outside the serve.
Tommy Paul (USA) vs Jacob Mensik (CZE)
When: 3rd match on court 6
I was hoping both of these guys would win to set up this match. While people are talking about Holger rune possibly being the third to the new big 3, Mensik has potential to be that third player. Only 18 years old and breaking into the top 100 his future is extremely bright. He has big groundstrokes on both wings, clean technique, and wins most of his points from the back of the court. He reminds me of Khachanov coming up, the way he plays, and the potential I thought there was for Khachanov. He has had a good career making 2 slam semis but thought Khachanov might have competed for slams. Came on the scene, young, beating Rafa in Canada just nuking groundies. That’s what I see Mensik with the capability to do. You’re clashing that with Tommy Paul, who plays an all court game, moves in to take time away when given the chance, and doesn’t mind using his legs to extend rallies. Tommy also in his opening round match was teeing off on his forehand looking to take over points. If his forehand is on, Mensik is going to be in trouble here. Mensik is coming off a semi-final appearance last week in Umag before eventually losing to Musetti. These two have never played each other but Mensik did lose to Fritz at the US Open last year, so you know Claylor is giving him the game plan. Both of these guys have had solid years and should be happy with the way they’re playing tennis going into this. Two great juniors, now two great pro’s playing for their country, this should be fun. But TP flying USA across his back, is like a Super Mario tennis powerup for the whole match. Both players have insane shot making capabilities and both players are also good returners, providing plenty of pressure points and rallies. This match won’t be a serve + 1 drill and won’t be players serving off the court, but both players with great athleticism going at it.
Prediction: Tommy Paul, 3 Sets
Taylor Fritz (USA) vs Jack Draper (GBR)
When: First match on Suzette Lenglen
Fritz, the top ranked American, vs Drapes, the top ranked Brit. Drapes game seemingly would fit clay, given he is lefty and more naturally defensive minded, relying on his speed too often at times. At Wimbledon you could tell he was working on coming forward more and knows he has to be more aggressive to get to the next level, but it is not quite there yet for him. It’ll get there, but for now this is a big stage for the young bloke going up against Claylor. On the other hand Fritz is naturally a pretty aggressive player whos built more of a shot tolerance the last few years and become a threat to top players at all tournaments, just yet to have that breakthrough to push him over the top. He did win Indian Wells, but since then has hovered around 10 in the world. Even though there’s no points at the Olympics, Fritz is hoping to have a breakthrough and huge run going into the US Open swing on home soil. I think Fritz’s game all around can hurt Drapes, and also has the shot tolerance to extend points. The difference i’m looking at in this match is I expect Taylor to take care of his serve, particularly 1st serve, at a lot higher percentage than drapes. Drapes plays matches with multiple breaks per set, where with Taylor if he gets up a break, that can be the set a lot of times. He can put on a serve + 1 clinic, with his first forehand. He has proven to be able to play well on clay, getting to the final of Jf RG as a kid, and made the rd of 16 at RG this year. Draper on the other hand picked up his first win at Roland Garros but at the Olympics, bringing his overall record there to 1-3. 2 first round losses at the grand slam. Taylor is much more comfortable there and will see plenty of chances to break, as well as back his serve up.
Prediction: Taylor Fritz (USA)
Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) vs Mariano Navone (ARG)
When: 2nd on court 6
Two of the hottest clay court players this year. If there was a clay court race these guys would be near the top. Musetti loves playing at Roland Garros, home to some of his favorite moments. He was up 2 sets to 0 against Novak a few years back, and 2 sets 1 against Novak this year. He wasn’t able to come through in those matches but he’s right there with one of the goats. He has also beaten Djokovic and Alcaraz on Clay. And this is only 2 out of 3 so those 2 set up matches, would’ve been wins in this format, on the same court. Navone on the other hand had really just broken into the scene recently. He has jumped 90 ranking spots already this year which is insane to do at that high of a ranking. Navone came through qualifying in Rio in February and ended up reaching the final from there. After that it has been all uphill, even picking up a straight set win against Musetti in Italy at a challenger 175. It’ll be tough for him to repeat that result but on dirt I don’t count him out against anybody in 1 match. It’ll be a test for him when we transition to hard courts as he has not won a match outside of clay this year. But for now he’s lasered in on Olympics and making a run at that before hanging up the clay shoes.
These two guys have similar results but get them two totally different ways. Lorenzo is flashy, has the one handed backhand, uses his craftiness and slice, he likes to look pretty out there playing. And when he’s on and playing well god damn is it pretty. But Navone on the other hand just gets the job done. Hitting heavy spinny forehands and 2 handed backhands times after time, willing to stay out there all day. He just played Nadal in a 4 hour 3 set match thriller in Bastad, so he is right there with the best clay court players in the game right now. Both of them like to play offense but it’s not high risk tennis, and both have the ability to use their legs and extend points and rallies.
Coco Gauff (USA) vs Donna Vekic (CRO)
When: 1st match on Philippe Chatrier
The women’s draw starts to get real as they enter the third round. Donna Vekic is one name however I didn’t expect to see here. She had a great run at Wimbledon, but she is typically a great grass court player, and is where she has her best results. Not so much on clay, but she did have a good upset over Bianca Andreescu in the 2nd round, who has been up and down since her US Open win. Vekic is a very aggressive, flat hitter, and the clay slows the ball down a bit, giving her a little more time to get her big swing on the ball, but instead it gives her opponents more time to get more balls back and eventually forcing Vekic into an unforced error. Coco Gauff is one of the best players on tour, and on clay probably the second best behind Iga. Iga is in a spot of her own, then Coco cemented at 2. It reminds me of federer being the second best clay court player, and a great one, but just still miles behind Rafa on clay. If there is no Iga, it is Coco’s tournament to take. Her speed and athleticism on the clay courts is so tough to get the ball by, and she likes to rely on her legs. As she said after the US Open last year “ In basketball, they say defense wins championships”. Coco has an interesting combination of a game, similar to Medvedev in a way. Both have big serves and rely on their serves during their service games, and in return games are more defensive minded, okay with using their legs to win points. And if their serve is off, both can get the serve in and use defense to hold. And now that I think about it even more, both sometimes have double faulting problems, and will go first serve as second serve as a bailout. That combination though of easy holds and being in your opponents service game, game in and game out, is effective on any tour but especially the WTA, where holds are tougher to come by. This is the first meeting between these two players and I expect Coco to get through this one rather easily. Not only will Vekic have to play a great match but she’ll need to hope Coco has a bad day. Or comes down with the flu.
Prediction: Coco
Alcaraz/Nadal (ESP) vs Koolhof/Griekspoor (NED)
When: 3rd match on Suzette Lenglen
Alcaraz and Rafa have to be happy seeing this one on the draw now. Yes Koolhof is number 20 in the world in doubles but Griekspoor is much more comfortable on a singles court. If Koolhof was playing with his normal partner, Nikola Mektic, this would be a lot tougher for the Spanish goats. If they can get through this one their opponents get tougher but their chances go up also. Rafa has to be feeling playing a few days in a row now, even though his singles match vs Novak wasn’t super taxing by any means. Alcaraz also received treatment late in the 2nd set of his match for a leg injury, but got through the match and will do whatever it takes to finish this tournament, singles and doubles. I think he’ll be alright. The rest of the way it is doubles only for Rafa and he will be feeling rested and ready to go every time he steps on the doubles court. The more matches they get under their belt the better they have to be feeling about a medal, and outside of Raj and Kraj they got a good shot at Gold. Rafa found his game today down 0-4 vs Novak and the way he finished he’s got to be feeling good for tomorrow. Griekspoor went down to Garfia Alcaraz in straight sets today in singles, so Carlitos has the advantage there going into doubles tomorrow. Also just facing those two guys on the other side of the net is daunting enough, knowing if one has an off day there is still Alcaraz or still Nadal to pick the other one up. Going out to the match you start down a break against those guys, at Roland Garros, maybe even down a set. Griekspoor does have a good serve and Koolhof is a classic doubles specialist, placing his serve well and being a solid net player, but Griekspoor will have the worst return and worst volleys on the court, and should be the weakest link. Being the weakest link on a court with 26 grand slam titles across the net isn’t necessarily a degrade, just is the case in this situation.
Prediction: Baaaaaaaaaah
Evans/Murray (GBR) vs Gille/Vliegen (BEL)
When: 4th match on Suzette Lenglen
“Will this be Andy Murray’s last match of his career?” Is the question everybody is going to be asking themselves going into every Andy Murray doubles match this week, including Andy and Dan themselves. There are two ways to look at this. Either this is a step up in competition compared to Nishikori and Taro Daniel last round, and it took a monumental effort to come back and win that match. Or, they came back from 9-4 down to win 7 straight points last round and the tennis gods are on their side to see the three time Olympic medalist finish his career with another one. If the first option ends up to be true, at least Andy Murray got the final win of his career that he deserved and one that everybody will remember. Neither Dan or Andy have doubles specialist games, but they do scrappily play some good doubles. It doesn’t always look pretty but they make it work. Both having solid volleys, Dan a natural serve and volleyer, and Andy some of the best returns in the history of tennis. They both have great tennis IQ also, particularly Andy, and maybe they can find a way to get through this one. I don’t think they have the ceiling Rafa and Charlie have, but everybody is going to be enjoying this last Andy Murray ride while it lasts. The crowd will be fired up trying to pull Andy and Dan onto another victory, and you know Dan doesn’t want to be the reason Andy Murray’s career comes to an end.
