Olympics R2 previews and predictions: Alcaraz vs. Griekspoor, Cerundolo vs. Humbert

Carlos Alcaraz is looking for another big title at Roland Garros, this one in the form of Olympic gold. He will continue his singles campaign against Tallon Griekspoor on Monday, while Ugo Humbert faces Francisco Cerundolo.

Tallon Griekspoor vs. (2) Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz and Griekspoor will be going head-to-head for the fifth time in their careers when they collide in round two of the Paris Olympics on Monday. Griekspoor won their first encounter in 2021 Montpellier qualifying, but Alcaraz has since reeled off three victories in a row. The Spaniard prevailed in 2021 Estoril qualifying and then rolled in straight sets twice on the main tour–at Wimbledon in 2022 and at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters.

Alcaraz’s stay in Paris is off to a strong start. On Saturday he won his doubles first-round match with Rafael Nadal and also took care of Hady Habib 6-3, 6-1. Thus continues a dominant run for the 21-year-old, who recently triumphed at both the French Open and Wimbledon. Griekspoor started the season in stellar form but is just 1-4 in his last five matches after losing to Timofey Skatov in Bastad. There is little reason to think that the 27th-ranked Dutchman will trouble Alcaraz in this one.

Pick: Alcaraz in 2

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Francisco Cerundolo vs. (10) Ugo Humbert

Cerundolo has endured a heavy workload on this post-Wimbledon swing, but that’s just the way he wants it because he certainly won’t complain about getting to spend more time on clay. Even though the 37th-ranked Argentine is without question an all-court player, he loves the red stuff. He pushed Novak Djokovic to five sets in round four at Roland Garros and is coming off a title in Kitzbuhel on Saturday. With zero days off prior to the Olympics, Cerundolo got right back in gear to beat Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera 6-2, 6-1.

Up next for the 25-year-old on Monday is a first-ever meeting with Humbert. The 15th-ranked Frenchman scored an impressive 6-3, 6-2 victory over Fabian Marozsan on Sunday, but he is still just 5-6 on clay in 2024 and 48-51 on it throughout his whole career. It is by far Humbert’s worst surface. Cerundolo is not rested at all, but having momentum seems to be more important–and he owns a sizable surface advantage.

Pick: Cerundolo in 2

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