French Open first-round match predictions, analysis & free tennis tips

Tennis analysis, predictions, tips and best bets for the French Open first-round matches, which continue at Roland Garros in Paris on Monday.

When to watch

ITV4 & Eurosport, from 10am Monday

Best bets

Pedro Martinez -5.5 games v Aleksandar Vukic
1pt 8-11 Betway, Sky Bet

Jack Sock to beat Reilly Opelka
1pt 8-13 Betfair

Gael Monfils to beat Alexander Bublik
1pt 8-13 Hills

Sara Errani to beat Monica Puig
1pt 4-6 Betfair, Hills

Preview

The big guns enter the fray on day two of the French Open with men's singles favourite Rafael Nadal and three-time women's singles champion Serena Williams making their bows in the clay-court Grand Slam tournament in Paris.

But while the pair should progress with relative ease - Williams may again have to dig deep to fend off feisty compatriot Kristie Ahn - there is value to be had elsewhere on the second of three days of first-round action.

Pedro Martinez v Aleksandar Vukic

The first of three qualifiers fancied to do a job on day two is useful prospect Pedro Martinez, who takes on another qualie in Aleksandar Vukic.

Spaniard Martinez is one of the promising performers from a nation whose players traditionally grow up playing clay-court tennis and he's already showing that some bigger prizes could come his way in the next few years.

Martinez's game looked in good order in qualifying. After needing three sets to defeat Daniel Masur in round one, Martinez then stepped things up to see off experienced Robin Haase and useful Ulises Blanch.

Vukic toiled more in his three pre-main-draw outings and Martinez should open with a comfortable victory which could see him successfully concede a handicap start of 5.5 games.

Jack Sock v Reilly Opelka

Jack Sock is showing signs of getting down to the nitty-gritty more this season and it's no surprise to see him installed as favourite for his all-American clash with Reilly Opelka.

Considering clay is seldom the first choice of terrain when it comes to American players, Sock has been a pretty decent performer on the slow courts down the years.

Opelka will use his great height to fire down a healthy percentage of service winners, but former top-ten player Sock can boss the court with his groundstrokes and win the vast majority of rallies.

Gael Monfils v Alexander Bublik

Alexander Bublik has been in decent nick of late and that has led oddsmakers to install Gael Monfils as only a marginal favourite.

Bublik is certainly no mug, but eighth seed Monfils knows that Roland Garros represents arguably his best chance of Grand Slam success, even though his hopes are diminishing with every year that passes.

Monfils has played some fine tennis last year and in this current lockdown-hit campaign and the Frenchman looks capable of rising to the occasion on his biggest stage.

Monica Puig v Sara Errani

Monica Puig, Olympic singles gold medallist in 2016, is always a dangerous floater in draws, but the Puerto Rican may find qualifier Sara Errani a handful in their Roland Garros opener.

Errani, 33, is very much in the Indian summer of her fine career, but she was an excellent performer on clay and hard courts and reached the French Open final eight years ago.

Despite her age, Errani is still capable of posting impressive tournament runs when she's on top of her game.

Errani is favourite to open her Paris tilt with a victory and Puig may find the Italian tough to stop if she gets on a roll.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits.

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport