ATP Paris Day 1 Predictions Including Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Grigor Dimitrov

It promises to be an entertaining start at the ATP Paris Masters with 16 matches on the opening day in the French capital. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Jacob Fearnley vs Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov vs Ethan Quinn, and Alexei Popyrin vs Alexander Bublik. But who will reach the round of 32?

ATP Paris Day 1 Predictions

Fabian Marozsan vs Arthur Rinderknech

Head-to-head: Marozsan 1-0 Rinderknech

Fabian Marozsan won this pair’s only previous meeting which came at the Shanghai Masters two years ago. But Arthur Rinderknech has improved considerably since then, with the Frenchman reaching the final in Shanghai earlier this month after a memorable run. He hasn’t played since, pulling out ahead of his first round match last time out in Basel, but should be full of confidence on home turf. Marozsan has played some solid tennis in his own right recently, including reaching the quarterfinals in Almaty, but Rinderknech should have just about enough to win this match.

Alexandre Muller vs Brandon Nakashima

Head-to-head: Nakashima 2-0 Muller

Brandon Nakashima has enjoyed the better of this rivalry, albeit neither of their two previous matches were played at tour-level. He was also pushed to the brink by Alexandre Muller when they played most recently last year in Canberra, but won in a third-set tiebreak. That suggests that Muller should not be disheartened heading into this match, particularly if he can bring the partisan French crowd into the match. The American has also not been at his best in recent weeks, losing in the second round in Almaty and Vienna. It might be another difficult day for Nakashima.

Prediction: Muller in 3

Daniel Almaier vs Marcos Giron

Head-to-head: Altmaier 1-0 Giron

This has the makings of a close contest. Neither man is blessed with massive power from the baseline, but nor will they give much away. With the conditions in Paris expected to be slightly slower than in Bercy, long rallies will likely be the order of the day. Daniel Altmaier has made some impressive strides on hard courts in recent months, but he is probably not quite as comfortable on this surface as the American. Expect a nip-and-tuck contest, but for Marcos Giron to just about come out on top.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Grigor Dimitrov

Head-to-head: first meeting

It will be interesting to see what sort of level Grigor Dimitrov can find in his first match since tearing a pectoral muscle whilst two-sets to the good against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon. But this looks like a tall order in more ways than one. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard may not be in sparkling form, but the conditions at the ATP Paris Masters should suit him and he will be able to rely on the support of the crowd, even if Dimitrov is a popular man in these parts. With Mpetshi Perricard not likely to offer Dimitrov much rhythm, the Bulgarian’s lack of match practice might prove to be his undoing.

Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 2