David Goffin v Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
I’m going to side with experience and go for David Goffin here. He breezed through the qualifying rounds and did not drop a single set. At one time, he held a world ranking of 7. He’s played well at the French Open in the past and reached the quarterfinals in 2016, so he knows how to get past these early rounds.
Perricard, on the other hand, is very inexperienced and has yet to get past the first round at a Grand Slam. I think the nerves might get the better of him again this year.
Ben Shelton v Hugo Gaston
Ben Shelton made a name for himself last year when he reached the semi-finals at the US Open. However, I think he could be vulnerable on clay. He has been beaten in a few of the early rounds of some of the preparation tournaments for this event. Furthermore, he didn’t get past the opening round at Roland Garros last year, so that is a concern.
His opponent, Hugo Gaston, on the other hand, is proven on the surface. In 2020, he reached the fourth round of the French Open and has a positive recent record of getting past the first round of Grand Slams. With him showing some decent form at the Lyon Open, I believe he might be able to take the scalp of Shelton.
Stanislas Wawrinka v Andy Murray
Wawrinka and Murray have had a lot of good battles over the years, and they face each other again in the first round of the French Open.
Even though Murray made the final of the French Open in 2016, it’s fair to say that clay has probably been his weakest surface. Wawrinka had arguably the best moment of his career on clay when he won the French Open in 2015.
Both players are in the latter stages of their careers, but Wawrinka might be able to have the final say in their rivalry here.
Arantxa Rus v Angelique Kerber
Angelique Kerber played well when last seen after being beaten by Iga Swiatek in the last 16 of the Italian Open. She is a very talented player on her day and has won three Grand Slams in her career.
Her opponent, Arantxa Rus, is more known as a doubles player these days, and I think she is vulnerable in the first round. I suspect she’ll come up short against Kerber.
French Open Round 1 Acca
Goffin To Perricard (EVS)
Gaston To Beat Shelton (9/5)
Wawrinka To Beat Murray (8/15)
Kerber To Rus (4/6)
Pays Out – 14.36/1