Daniil Medvedev will begin his quest for a first French Open title when he goes up against Thiago Seyboth Wild on Tuesday. First-round action is also wrapping up with a showdown between Sebastian Baez and Gael Monfils.
(Q) Thiago Seyboth Wild vs. (2) Daniil Medvedev
Is Medvedev a realistic French Open title contender? Prior to the Rome Masters, the answer to that question almost certainly would have been “no.” But the first clay-court title of Medvedev’s career–at the Masters 1000 level, no less–has changed the narrative in a major way. Add in the fact that the world No. 2 has a great draw opposite Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, and he has to like his chances at Roland Garros.
Up first for the 27-year-old on Tuesday is Seyboth Wild, whom he has never faced. That isn’t surprising, as the 23-year-old Brazilian has spent most of his career in Futures and Challengers and has won only nine main-tour matches. Ranked 172nd in the world, Seyboth Wild did well to qualify for the French Open victories over Antoine Bellier, Ricardas Berankis, and Dominik Koepfer. He has never won a match in the main draw of a Grand Slam and this almost certainly won’t be his first.
Pick: Medvedev in 3
(WC) Gael Monfils vs. Sebastian Baez
Injuries have been a well-documented problem for Monfils throughout his career and a foot issue has plagued him since last summer. The 36-year-old Frenchman has not won an ATP-level match since the 2022 Toronto Masters and he is 1-7 overall this season (Challengers included). In fact, his only victory has come via retirement.
Monfils will begin his French Open campaign against Baez, whose rise coincided with Monfils’ virtual disappearance from the tour. As such, this will obviously be their first-ever encounter. Baez is a massive favorite, not only because of Monfils’ struggles but also because the 22-year-old Argentine is outstanding on clay. This isn’t a good matchup for the veteran, either, as Baez is a counter-puncher who will force his opponent to play long rallies and hit a ton of balls. That isn’t something Monfils likes to do–especially not in his current state.
Pick: Baez in 4
WWW?
Med in 3 and Baez in 4
Med in 3; Baez in 3.
To the person who picked Wild in 5, I appreciate you.
Must have a crystal ball!😀
Whoever it is can we know what they predict in the next rounds?! Might place a bet for the first-time ever.
Med looking unhappy out there.
Med was very very lucky to win the second set. Wild had 2 set points and should have made the first one. Med will win now but looked very unconvincing.
I cannot stand this Eurosport coverage. It’s terrible! Amazon prime is a trillion times better.
What do u mean when u said u cannot stand eurosport coverage amy?The commentators?
Well there are only a handful of matches shown mira. On Amazon they show them all. Most don’t have commentary. On Amazon most do have. The ones that do the commentary is frequently bad.
So Barbora lost in straights!😠
What is wrong with her suddenly?!
I couldn’t watch the match.
Ohh i c!…i’ve got BEIN’s sport too on my tv amy!..1 match for atp,1 match for wta..
Lucky you mira!😀
Jelena is out. Very disappointing…
Yeah amy!..jelena is out!..me & RC picked her a bit deep in our Bracket!..urgh!..d@#%!..hehe
It’s tremendously disappointing Jelena is out mira! She really underperforms in relation to her talent..
Dasha won though ..!😀
I don’t think these struggles by Med are that surprising. He isn’t really a clay courter. Playing pretty rubbish right now.
And Medi now out. My pick of Rune for the final looks like genius….for a nanosecond at least! 😉
What a shame about Barbora.
Am very upset about Barbora! She is one of my faves. She was,really struggling with her serve and ball toss in Rome so maybe there is a physical issue…
Barbora going out means Iga’s quarter is easy for her now. No one there can challenge her until the semis if Elena gets there.
This is the worst RG since 2004.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MQ-SC9bmp4
Monfils!
Zey both wild has the name of a Bond villain.I love it , and also Davido-vich Fokina
Wild is another one with allegations of domestic violence made against him.