French Open R1 previews and predictions: Coric vs. Fritz, Zverev vs. Herbert

A pair of intriguing showdowns between up-and-coming players will be part of the Tuesday schedule at Roland Garros. Pierre-Hugues Herbert is the oldest of this group and also more of a doubles specialist than the others, but can he score a singles upset?

Borna Coric vs. Taylor Fritz

It will be a battle between highly-touted teenagers when Coric and Fritz go head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Tuesday in the opening round of the French Open. That Fritz would gain direct entry into any 2016 Grand Slam–let alone one coming just five months into the season–seemed like a mathematical impossibility as recently as last fall. In early October, Fritz registered at No. 694 in the world. The 18-year-old American promptly reached three Challenger finals, winning two of them, and so far this season he has picked up eight ATP-level match victories. Fritz’s hot streak includes a runner-up performance in Memphis and a quarterfinal finish in Acapulco as a qualifier.

In majors, though, a significant edge in experience goes to Coric. The 19-year-old Croat has played in the main draw of six slams and has advanced out of the opening round on three occasions. He made a run to the third round at Roland Garros last spring, beating Sam Querrey and Tommy Robredo before bowing out to Jack Sock. Coric’s current clay-court swing includes a runner-up showing in Marrakech and a quarterfinal finish in Estoril. In a best-of-five situation and on clay, the world No. 44 should have the advantage

Pick: Coric in 4

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Alexander Zverev vs. Pierre Hugues Herbert

Zverev and Herbert will be squaring off for the first time in their careers in main-draw competition, but they have faced each other on three previous occasions in either qualifying or in Challengers. Herbert is enjoying a surprising 3-0 sweep, as he prevailed in three sets in 2013 (Metz) and 2014 (St. Remy Challenger) before getting the job done 7-6(2), 6-4 early last season in Brisbane.

Fast forward to this point and Zverev is a considerable favorite given his swift ascension up the ATP rankings. The 19-year-old German registers at 41st in the world thanks in part to boasting more than half of his career ATP-level match wins this season (21 of 39). Herbert, six years Zverev’s senior at 25, has been focusing on doubles with Nicolas Mahut and they are seeded No. 1 at the French Open. On the singles court, the world No. 84 is an abbreviated 4-5 in main draws but has successfully qualified in each of this last five events–including in Monte-Carlo and Madrid. Herbert’s singles performances have been a bit underrated of late; the reality is both his current form and his past history against Zverev suggest this one will be competitive. But the favorite will likely be too confident, too match-tough, and too comfortable on clay for an opponent who prefers a faster surface to implement his net-charging tactics.

Pick: Zverev in 4

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