*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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*Match start times approximate and subject to change
1pm: Casper Ruud v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – Tsonga to win at least one set
Casper Ruud comes into this year’s French Open full of confidence having lifted his sixth clay-court title in the last 16 months, and second of the 2022 season, in Geneva last week. The world number 8 will, however, have the crowd firmly against him as comes up against home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who has announced he is to bring the curtain down on his distinguished career at the end of this campaign.
Tsonga is currently winless in six matches at all levels and hasn’t won a match on clay since the French Open in 2019, and while all form and logic suggests an easy victory for the Norwegian, tennis has a habit of throwing up a miracle every now and then. It’s a monumental task for the 37-year old, but one thing is for sure is that Tsonga is not going to bow out without a fight. With the crowd firmly behind him, I can see Tsonga picking up at least a set in what is set to be an emotional occasion for all.
3.30pm: Simona Halep v Nastasja Schunk – Schunk (+7.5) Game Handicap
Simona Halep missed Roland-Garros last year through injury but has made a strong recovery in her comeback, with seven quarterfinal-or-better results to date. She has not been beaten in the first round of this tournament since 2013, a period which includes finals in 2014 and 2017, and finally a title in 2018.
She has been drawn to face Nastasja Schunk who, despite only qualifying for the main draw as a lucky loser, has already picked up two W25 titles in 2021, followed by a W100 runner-up finish in Wiesbaden earlier this month, all on clay. While Halep should again have enough to progress, I expect Schunk to be competitive, just as she was in running Elena Rybakina close in Stuttgart, which draws me to Schunk (+7.5) on the Game Handicap market.
7.45pm: Musetti v Tsitsipas – Tsitsipas to Win & both players win a set
Stefanos Tsitsipas has been one of the best performers on clay over the last three years, going toe-to-toe with Novak Djokovic in both the semi-final two years ago and final last year. He has been handed a favourable draw this time around, having avoided the likes of Rafa Nadal, Djokovic and the in-form Carlos Alcaraz until at least the final, presenting him with a great opportunity to progress deep in Paris once again.
He has recovered from a tough start to the season in recent weeks, having successfully defended his title in Monte Carlo Masters and finishing runner-up to Djokovic in Rome. Lorenzo Musetti, on the other hand, also performed well at the French Open last year, with his campaign also ending in a five-set defeat at the hands of the eventual champion Djokovic in the round of 16.
He seems to again be coming into some form having reached the 3rd round in all four clay events he has entered this year. The pair previously met in Lyon last year where Musetti claimed the 1st set before Tsitsipas prevailed in three, and I can see the Italian doing similar this time around in what could be a tricky opening-round test for the Greek. Tsitsipas to Win & both players win a set rounds us off.
Today’s tennis tips
Casper Ruud v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – Tsonga to win at least one set
Simona Halep v Nastasja Schunk – Schunk (+7.5) Game Handicap
Lorenzo Musetti v Stefanos Tsitsipas – Stefanos Tsitsipas to Win & both players win a set
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*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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