The second slam of the year is upon us as the 2025 French Open gets started on Sunday with 20 men’s main draw singles matches. This set of predictions is paced by No. 12 seed Tommy Paul vs Elmer Moller. Our other prediction articles feature Lorenzo Musetti vs Yannick Hanfmann, Ben Shelton vs Lorenzo Sonego, Tomas Machac vs Quentin Halys, and Frances Tiafoe vs Roman Safiullin. Predicting this set of matches is Ilemona Onekutu, Damian Kust, and Tope Oke. Who will advance to round two?
French Open Day 1 Predictions
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Zizou Bergs
Ilemona
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard holds a narrow edge over Zizou Bergs in their first-round match. Expect a close, competitive encounter likely to go the distance.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 5
Damian
Mpetshi Perricard is a bit of a lottery on clay, but there’s no denying the serve is still monstrous and he also gains another option in just trying to stay in the rallies off the ground. So it’s really a question of how efficiently Bergs will be locking him out of baseline play once the serve is returned. The Belgian seems like he might do that pretty well if he focuses on closing down the net.
Prediction: Bergs in 5
Tope
The young Frenchman hasn’t made it past the opener of the two majors he’s played but this is an excellent chance for him to exorcise that record. Playing in front of the home fans against Bergs, whose form has sharply declined in recent weeks, is an opportunity he can’t pass up. If he keeps his renowned service in check, he’ll be winning this.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 4
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Francisco Comesana
Ilemona
Pablo Carreno Busta’s clay experience gives him the edge over Francisco Comesana in their first meeting. Expect a tight match, but Carreño Busta should advance.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 4
Damian
Comesana had some great runs at Wimbledon and US Open last year, is it time for one on his preferred surface as well? Carreno Busta is a two-time quarterfinalist at this event, but his physicality is looking very fragile on clay this year. That could be another asset for Comesana who’s such a good shotmaker and can probably go on for like five hours without losing too much pep in his step.
Prediction: Comesana in 5
Tope
Two players heading in different trajectories meet for the first time on the biggest stage. Pablo Carreno-Busta, once a dangerous player on clay, cannot seem to string a win despite starting the year in blistering form, racking 12 wins on the trot and the two Tenerife Challenger titles. Comesana on the other hand, is having a breakthrough season with deep runs in some of the clay events he’s participated in this season. The Spaniard is by far the better and more experienced player, but this is a match that will tilt towards the Argentine, the longer it goes
Prediction: Comesana in 4
Matteo Gigante vs Benjamin Hassan
Ilemona
Matteo Gigante’s higher ranking and recent form give him a slight edge over Benjamin Hassan. Hassan’s experience and historic French Open qualification make it a tight match, but Gigante is favored to advance.
Prediction: Gigante in 4
Damian
Hassan made some history for Lebanon on these courts at the Paris Olympics last year; now he’s trying to pull it off again. He can win this battle of qualifiers, but the slight favorite has to be Gigante. For a while now, the Italian has had all the tools at his disposal but just can’t quite put them together. Maybe this is where he starts turning things around.
Prediction: Gigante in 4
Tope
Benjamin arrives in Paris as the first Lebanese player in the Open Era to make it to the main draw of the French Open after winning all his qualifiers without dropping a set. Matteo Gigante also makes his debut here at the third attempt after qualifying exits in 2023 and 2024. With both players expected to be fired up for this encounter, I’ll back Hassan to hold his nerves and edge the Italian in what will go the distance.
Prediction: Hassan in 5
Tommy Paul vs Elmer Moller
Ilemona
Tommy Paul’s experience and all-court game make him a strong favorite against qualifier Elmer Møller. The Dane is talented, but Paul should cruise through in straight sets.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Damian
Moller’s backhand will always be legendary, and it’s great that he’s now getting this first main tour experience. But maintaining enough consistency with his aggression against someone like Paul seems a little too much at the moment, particularly in the longer format. The American is as athletic as can be, which will help him track down the backhand missiles.
Prediction: Paul in 4
Tope
This is a tricky tie for Tommy Paul, who hasn’t managed to make it past the first week here in Paris. His young Danish opponent was rewarded with a lucky spot to make his debut here after some solid plays over the last couple of years, including winning half a century of matches on clay last year. However, as he has often done, the American is expected to find a way past another dangerous player.
Prediction: Paul in 4
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports