Novak Djokovic will begin his French Open title defense and his first slam bid of the 2022 season on Monday against Yoshihito Nishioka. American Sebastian Korda will also be in first-round action against John Millman.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Yoshihito Nishioka
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will play his first Grand Slam match of the year in Paris on Monday. night. The Serb was deported from Australia just before his first-round match there, a consequence of his refusal to get the COVID vaccine. Djokovic had a rocky start to the season, with lackluster performances and no titles until a week ago at the Rome Masters. Fortunately for the 35-year-old, he looked much more like the reigning French Open champion in his capture of the title at the Italian Open.
It’s a good thing, too. Djokovic’s draw is brutal in Roland Garros. He landed in the same quarter of the draw as Rafael Nadal and the same half as Carlos Alcaraz. If he goes on to win a third French Open title, he will have to work hard for it.
Djokovic’s opening opponent is world No. 99 Yoshihito Nishioka. This should be a favorable matchup for the world No. 1. Nishioka hasn’t won a main-draw match on clay yet in 2022; he lost in the first round of qualifying in his last three European clay events.
Cheryl pick: Djokovic in 3
Ricky pick: Djokovic in 3
(27) Sebastian Korda vs. John Millman
American Sebastian Korda has been all over the board in 2022; the world No. 30 had a semifinal showing in Estoril, where he lost a heartbreaker to countryman Frances Tiafoe. He is the only player to beat Alcaraz on clay this year, but he also lost in the first round of Barcelona to world No. 94 Carlos Taberner. Consistent, he is not.
Australia’s John Millman has seen his ranking drop to 91st. He has even dipped his toe back in the waters of the Challenger circuit earlier this month, losing in the quarters in Mauthausen. Millman has been forced to qualify for a majority of his tour-level events this season.
Korda has struggled closing out victories in 2022. On numerous occasions, including in Indian Wells against Rafael Nadal and in Estoril against Tiafoe, the American failed to serve out the match. Provided he doesn’t struggle with nerves, this should be a comfortable win for Korda. He is a good clay-courter, moves well for a man of his size, and he has had a previous round of 16 result in Paris.
Cheryl pick: Korda in 3
Ricky pick: Korda in 4
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