French Open June 3, Tips and Previews

The best bit about the Grand Slam season- from a punting point of view- is putting together a monster multi and letting it play out over the day. It’s a recipe that can be repeated over the whole first week. 

There’s so many games to choose from but early on in the tournament it’s safe to stick with some favourites and maybe find one or two that may cause an upset. 

Gael Monfils takes on Swede Mikael Ymer in his second round match at his home Grand Slam. Many didn’t believe that Monfils could get past the opening round after he was drawn against in form Spaniard Albert Ramos Vinolas. 

But with the support of local fans, Monfils thrashed Ramos Vinolas in four sets  1-6,7-6(6),6-4,6-4.

The first round victory will give the Frenchman a lot of confidence as he has had a terrible Clay season leading into Roland Garros. 

Having lost the opening rounds in Lyon and Parma, the 105th-ranked Ymer from Sweden got his first main draw win on clay this year in Paris. He got the better of Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in a five set thriller 6-4,0-6,4-6,6-2,6-2. 

While Monfils’ clay record leaves a lot to be desired, he should be able to manage his way through the second round.

Aussie hope Alex de Minaur’s French Open campaign kicks up a gear very quickly as he confronts clay-court specialist Marco Cecchinato in the second round.

The pair have built up a healthy rivalry over recent times having met  three times at Grand Slam level. 

De Minaur won Wimbledon first-round matches in 2018 and ’19, but Cecchinato powered to a straight-sets victory in the opening round of last year’s French Open which may be the more valuable form reference. 

Cecchinato also won their only other meeting on clay, coming from a set down at the 2019 Rome Masters.

De Minaur was impressive in accounting for Stefano Travaglia 6-2 6-4 7-6 in the first round at Roland Garros. The 21st seed slammed down 11 aces and had his serve broken just twice. He saved 14 of 16 break-point opportunities he offered up.

Cecchinato – a former top-20 player but currently ranked 83rd – overcame a first-set slip-up to beat Yasutaka Uchiyama 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4.

All five of the 28-year-old’s ATP tournament finals were on clay, as well as 19 of his 20 Challenger and Futures finals. That includes last month’s Emilia-Romagna Open.

Cecchinato also reached the French Open semis in 2018. I love “The Demon” but a good clay record is hard to go past and Cecchinato is a specialist. Have to be with him.

Roger Federer made a dazzling return to Paris with a comprehensive victory over qualifier Denis Istomin on Monday. Federer will now go up against his old rival Marin Cilic for a place in the third round at Roland Garros.

Federer started his comeback match in the strongest way possible, displaying some trademark baseline play. 

Marin Cilic, meanwhile, has suffered one disappointing defeat after another since falling outside the top 10 of the rankings a few years ago making him near impossible to back. The Croat has struggled for rhythm during this year’s clay season too.

Roger Federer leads Marin Cilic in their head-to-head by a whopping margin of 9-1.

Cilic’s lone victory over Federer came in the semifinals of the 2014 US Open, where he won in straight sets.

Despite this only being “The Fed Express’” second game back I think Cilic will be mentally scarred from his awful record against the best of all time and Federer can get through on the mental game alone.