The 2022 French Open enters the second round and the team at SportsTips.com are previewing the best six games of the second round. Read below to check out our picks for the three best men’s and three best women’s games for Round 2 of the 2022 French Open!
There were certainly A LOT of upsets in the first round, especially in the women’s side of the draw. What will the second round bring? More upsets are definitely on the cards! Who will make it through to the next round and all the way to the championship game? It is sure to be a thrilling 2 weeks to find out!
Enjoy our free tennis picks and predictions for each round of the 2022 French Open tournament.
Round 2 Tennis Picks For The French Open: Men’s Draw
Alexander Zverev (3) vs Sebastian Baez
The third seed, Alexander Zverev has successfully navigated the first round of the French Open, and in the second round will face off against Argentine, Sebastian Baez. It was a straight sets victory for the German, while Baez came through the first round dropping one set.
Jeffery Thomas
Alexander Zverev took care of business as expected in the first round of the French Open, beating Sebastian Ofner 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in just under 2 hours. It was a very efficient performance as Zverev never faced a break point while breaking his opponent’s serve four different times throughout the match. Sebastian Baez didn’t have as easy of a day in his first round match, but he did manage to only drop one set to Dusan Lajovic. The 21-year-old has made a leap in the rankings all the way up to a career-high 36 much to the credit of clay court success.
Baez won his first ATP title earlier this season in Estoril which is a clay court tournament in Portugal. These two just met for the only time in the Rome Masters earlier this month, with Zverev taking out Baez 7-6, 6-3. It was a straight sets victory for the world number three but that first set could have gone either way and it’s not like it was a walk in the park. Now with it being best of five and Baez being a natural clay courter, I can see him keeping this one close and even taking a set. This spread of +7.5 is too large, especially considering that Zverev got the push on a +8 against a much worse player in Ofner.
Jeffery’s French Open Pick: Game Spread – Baez +7.5 (-122)
Marko Nadin
Alexander Zverev is yet to win a Grand Slam tournament and this year’s French Open might be the place where he could achieve this. The world no. 3 is 25-9 for the season including 11-4 on clay. The 25-year-old is coming off a 3-0 routine victory over Sebastian Ofner in the opening round and now is heading to a match against the young and upcoming Sebastian Baez. They met recently at the ATP Masters tournament in Rome with the German winning 7-6, 6-3. Zverev later made it to the semi final in the tournament where he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas before heading to the French Open.
Sebastian Baez is a player who has made a huge jump in the ATP rankings in the past year mainly because of his performances on clay court. The Argentinian is currently ranked at no. 36 which is his career-best. Baez is 28-15 for the season and 22-8 on clay. He is coming off a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over Dusan Lajovic in the opening round who is an experienced player and this win can boost Baez’s confidence even more. Still, Baez is new in the main draw of the majors and has not played many matches needing three sets to win. Zverev is a huge step ahead of him and even though Baez will put up a fight, Zverev will take care of this match.
Marko’s French Open Pick: Game Spread – Zverev -7.5 (-108)
Jack Hartman
Alexander Zverev got his French Open campaign off to the perfect start following his opening round defeat of Austria’s Sebastian Ofner. Zverev breezing through the early rounds of a Grand Slam certainly isn’t a surprise, but we have seen the big hitting German become unstuck before and make no mistake about it, he faces a real challenge here. Argentine Sebastian Baez has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the rankings this season and now finds himself at 36 in the world. Baez is a clay court specialist and won his first ever title at Estoril earlier this season.
One of the smallest players on Tour, there is a fear that he might get overpowered by the powerful Zverev, but if the German isn’t on his ‘A Game’ this has the potential to be a very tricky contest. Zverev will be able to rely on recent experience thanks to his victory over Baez just a few weeks ago at the Rome Masters. Baez pushed Zverev all the way in the first set before eventually falling in straight sets. I think Baez has the chance to trouble Zverev and at least win a set – but over five we will side with the big hitting German to advance to Round 3.
Jack’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Zverev 3-1 (+250)
Corentin Moutet vs Rafael Nadal (5)
Home favorite Corentin Moutet will face off against former world #1 Rafael Nadal in the second round in the French Open. Moutet caused somewhat of an upset in the first round, as he defeated veteran Swiss, Wawrinka, in four sets. Nadal made quick work of Australian, Thompson, winning in straight sets, and only dropping six games.
Jeffery Thomas
Rafael Nadal made quick work of Australian Jordan Thompson in the first round winning 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 to move his record at Roland Garros to a record-breaking 106-3. Nadal broke Thomson seven times in the match compared to just the one time he was broken in the second set. It was a very fast start to the season for Rafa, winning the Australian Open and racing out to 20 wins and three titles before having a slow start to the clay season. He entered the French Open just 3-3 on clay but everyone should have expected he’d kick it into a new gear, as he’s won 13 Grand Slams here.
Corentin Moutet lost the first set to Stan Wawrinka but then rallied for the 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 win in the first round much to the delight of his French fans. It’s his first main draw win at Roland Garros since 2019 where he made it to the third round, but this is where his run ends. Nadal doesn’t lose matches like this at Grand Slams and definitely doesn’t drag them out. This will be over quickly, much like his match with Thompson so I’m taking the under on games.
Jeffery’s French Open Pick: Total Games – Under 25.5 (-105)
Marko Nadin
Rafael Nadal is going after his 14th Roland Garros title and with the form he has shown this season, he has a right to expect to win another one in Paris. Nadal has won the Australian Open this season for the second time in his career and has become the player with the most Grand Slam titles in male tennis. If he manages to win another one, he may stay on top of that list for a long time. Nadal is currently 5th in the ATP rankings. He has 24 wins and 3 losses for the season and is 4-2 on clay. Nadal defeated Jordan Thompson in the opening round in three sets, all by 6-2.
Corentin Moutet will have a chance to face off Nadal for the first time in his career. The French is the fan favorite in Paris but that will not help him much against the best player on clay in the history of tennis. Moutet is 139th player in the world at the moment with his best ranking being at no. 67. Moutet is coming off a 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 win over the former champion Stan Wawrinka in the opening round. Moutet is 10-8 for the season with 2-2 on clay, His best result at the French Open so far has been the third round in 2019.
Marko’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Nadal 3-0 (-470)
Jack Hartman
Corentin Moutet produced the upset in Round 1 against former champion Stan Wawrinka. Yes, Wawrinka is coming back from injury and isn’t the force of old, but it’s still a big scalp from a player who has had a poor year and now finds himself out of the top 100. Moutet is one of the most entertaining players to watch on Tour. A great mover, he can hit every type of shot and looks set to thrill a packed out Phillipe Chatrier in what could be the biggest match of his career so far. Playing in front of his home fans, Moutet will relish every moment of this challenge against Rafa Nadal.
This is a match that Rafa Nadal should win every day of the week. However, this could be a test that the Spaniard might really enjoy. Despite Nadal starting the match as the heavy favorite, Moutet’s unpredictability will keep Nadal on his toes. Secretly this could be a test he needs. His preparations for the tournament were greatly impacted by a nagging foot injury and Moutet will test his fitness far more efficiently than first round opponent Jordan Thompson. Nadal will have far too much power and class for his opponent, but this should be a great match to watch.
Jack’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Nadal 3-0 (-470)
Frances Tiafoe (24) vs David Goffin
Our 24th seeded American, Frances Tiafoe, will face off against former world #7, David Goffin, in the second round of the French Open. Tiafoe navigated through the first round with relative ease, winning in straight sets. Meanwhile, Goffin had to work a little harder for his first round victory, with his opponent, Lehecka, taking him to four sets.
Jeffery Thomas
David Goffin and Frances Tiafoe are set to meet up for the fifth time in their careers in the 2nd round of this year’s French Open. The veteran Goffin has gotten the better of Tiafoe in three of the four matchups, the last of which came way back in 2019. Tiafoe grinded out three tough sets with Benjamin Bonzi in the first round, winning 7-5, 7-5, 7-6 in just under three hours. Goffin also had his problems, needing four sets to get through #77 ranked Jiri Lehecka.
The rejuvenation of Goffin’s game this season has been something to marvel at, with his top moments being his title in Marrakech (on clay) and taking Rafael Nadal to a third set tiebreak in Madrid. Tiafoe has also had his moments (making the final in Estoril), but the form and consistency is moreso on the side of Goffin for me right now. I have to side with the veteran here to stay mentally strong through what will be a long match, most likely 5 sets.
Jeffery’s French Open Pick: Moneyline – Goffin (-154)
Marko Nadin
This match will be very interesting since both players have fallen in the rankings in the last year and are hoping to bounce back. David Goffin was one of the players that should have taken a place among the top 5 players but he has significantly fallen down after he reached no. 7 three seasons ago. The 31-year-old is currently 48th at the ATP list and this tournament can take him a little higher. Goffin is coming off a 3-1 first-round win against Jiri Lehecka. He is 21-14 for the season and 13-4 on clay. Goffin has won 3 of the 4 previous matches against Frances Tiafoe but they have never played each other on clay.
Frances Tiafoe is currently ranked at no. 27. The American is 12-10 for the season and 8-5 on clay court. He is coming off a 7-5, 7-5, 7-6 win over Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi in the first round. This is the first time for Tiafoe to advance to the second round of the French Open in his 7th appearance in Paris. Tiafoe has only one ATP title so far in his career and has defeated David Goffin in their last meeting in Miami in 2019 by 7-6, 7-5.
Marko’s French Open Pick: Moneyline – Goffin (-154)
Jack Hartman
After a mixed clay court season, Frances Tiafoe got his French Open campaign off to the perfect start thanks to a straight set victory over Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi. It was a tight match with the American winning 7-5, 7-5, 7-6. Tiafoe will be delighted he got the job done in straight sets as he should have plenty of energy left in the tank for this tight second round contest against the Belgian, David Goffin. Tiafoe is the 24th seed and will be hoping to turn around his poor head to head record against the Belgian. The pair have met four times in the past with Goffin winning three of these contests. This will be their first ever Grand Slam meeting.
David Goffin has had a tough two years on Tour which has seen this former top twenty player slide all the way out of the top 50. Bereft of confidence, Goffin could hardly win a match, but something has clicked this season. Now back to 48 in the world, Goffin won the Moroccan Open earlier this year and has posted some respectable efforts on clay this season. The two players are evenly matched and this match looks like it has five sets all over it. In what could be a classic, I will side with the Belgian to come out on top as he is marginally the better player on clay.
Jack’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Goffin 3-2 (-430)
Round 2 Tennis Picks For The French Open: Women’s Draw
Sorana Cîrstea (26) vs Sloane Stephens
The Romanian 26th seed, Sorana Cîrstea will do battle with American Sloane Stephens for a spot in the third round. Cîrstea had a comfortable first round battle, and she came through in straight sets. The former world #3, Stephens, dropped the first set in her first round appearance, but was able to win the next two sets to advance to the second round.
Jeffery Thomas
American Sloane Stephens will take on Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the second round of the 2022 French Open. Stephens came into this tournament in pretty horrible form, with a record of just 7-7 on the season. Her ranking has dropped to 64 now and she actually was an underdog in the first round to Jule Niemeier. Stephens was able to navigate through that battle after losing the first set, emerging victorious 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. Cirstea had a much easier time in the first round, dispatching Tatjana Maria in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
The number 26 seed went as far as the fourth round here last year and is hoping to build on that result this season. These two have only met once before, way back in 2013 with Cirstea taking the win there. I like her chances in this one as well, but she hasn’t been all that convincing herself this year and I see this match being a pretty even affair. That’s why I’m going with the over on sets as I don’t see a clear advantage on either side and see it going to a decider.
Jeffery’s French Open Pick: Total Sets – Over 2.5 (+110)
Marko Nadin
Sloane Stephens is currently ranked at no. 64 at the WTA list with her highest ranking being at no. 3. The 29-year-old American is 7-7 for the season and only 1-4 on clay court. She is coming off a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 win over Jule Niemeier in the opening round. Stephens has lost in the opening round of the previous 4 tournaments, all of them on clay. She has won one title this season in Guadalajara defeating Marie Bouzukova in the final. Stephens has been a regular at the French Open since 2011 and her best result has been in 2016 when she reached the third round.
Sorana Cirstea is currently 26th in the WTA rankings with her career-best being at no. 21. The Romanian is 15-12 for the season and 4-4 on clay. She is coming off a 6-3, 6-3 first round win over Tatiana Maria. Cirstea also lost the previous 3 tournaments in the opening round but made it to the semifinals in the previous one in Istanbul. Cirstea made it to the Round of 16 last year at the French Open which is her best result in Paris. She has defeated Sloane Stephens in their only match so far, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 in 2013 in Dubai.
Marko’s French Open Pick: Moneyline – Cirstea (-156)
Jack Hartman
An intriguing match awaits as former finalist Sloane Stephens takes on Romanian Sorana Cirstea. Stephens has been a class act in her career and has won the US Open. Stephens has shown she has the game to excel on the clay and has a great chance of winning this match. Stephens, who now finds herself at 64 in the world, has had a horrible time of things lately having lost in the first round of Charleston, Madrid, Rome and Strasbourg. Her win in the first round against Julie Niemeier came in three sets and the victory would have been a welcome relief.
Cirstea has also been struggling. In the lead up to the tournament she also lost in the first round in Madrid, Rome and Strasbourg. Seeded 26 for the tournament, Cirstea got her French Open campaign off to a great start following a straight set win over the tricky German Tatjana Maria. Stephens and Cirstea have only played once before, which came nine years ago. Cirstea was the winner, winning a tight contest in three sets. I think a repeat might be on the cards here.
Jack’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Cirstea 2-1 (+270)
Iga Świątek (1) vs Alison Riske
The current world #1 Iga Świątek is successfully through to the second round, and with all the upsets on the women’s side of the draw in the first round, she has to be feeling good about her chances. But before she gets too ahead of herself, she needs to get through unseeded American, Alison Riske. Riske got through the first round unscathed, winning 6-3, 6-3.
Jeffery Thomas
I mentioned last write up about the expectations being placed on Iga in this French Open and that being the only thing that can stop here. Well, in the first round she showed that pressure isn’t anything to her and made easy work of Lesia Tsurenko, beating her 6-2, 6-0. Iga’s winning streak is now up to 29 matches and standing in her way of getting to 30 is American Alison Riske. Riske took out Dayana Yastremska in dominant fashion 6-3 6-3 in the first round.
This is the first time the 31 year old has made it out of the first round since 2014, as red clay just isn’t her preferred surface. Iga’s preferred surface is any court with a net, so it won’t matter to her and I’m expecting her to once again get through without breaking much of a sweat.
Jeffery’s French Open Pick: Game Spread – Swiatek -7.5 (-138)
Marko Nadin
Iga Swiatek is the best player in women’s tennis at the moment and I don’t see a player who can stand on her way to win another French Open. The 20-year-old has climbed on top of the WTA rankings this season and will probably stay there for a long time. She is 38-3 for the season and a perfect 10-0 on clay court. The former French Open champion has won 28 consecutive matches and her last loss was in February in Dubai to former French Open quarter-finalist Jelena Ostapenko. Swiatek is coming off a 6-2, 6-0 win over Lesya Tsurenko in the opening round of the tournament. She has defeated Alison Riske in their previous two matches, both played last year in Madrid and Rome on clay.
Alison Riske is currently 43rd at the WTA rankings with her career-best being at no. 18. The 31-year-old American is 12-9 for the season including 2-2 on clay. She is coming off a 6-3, 6-3 win over Dayana Yastremska in the opening round. Riske hasn’t seen much success in recent tournaments on clay as she lost in the opening round in Madrid and in the second round in Charleston. Her best result this season is the final in Adelaide where she lost 2-6, 1-6 to Madison Keys. Riske’s best result at the French Open is the second round in 2014.
Marko’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Swiatek 2-0 (-1250)
Jack Hartman
If the rest of the women’s draw were hoping that Iga Swiatek would be feeling the nerves ahead of her first round match, they would have been left feeling incredibly disappointed. The number one seed and favorite for the women’s title now finds herself on an incredible 29 match unbeaten run and is the heavy favorite to make it 30 wins in this match against Alison Riske.
Both players enter the match having won their first round matches in straight sets but it’s Swiatek who should advance here. Alison Riske is a gritty and solid player and she will make Swiatek work for each and every point, but a lack of power is going to make life tough for the American. Swiatek has been able to combine her effortless easy power with a much improved serve. Swiatek will want to make quick work of this match to preserve her energy for the bigger tests to come.
Jack’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Swiatek 2-0 (-1250)
Danielle Collins (9) vs Shelby Rogers
With so many American women still left in the draw, it is unsurprising to see that there will be one all-American battle in the second round. For this clash, we will see ninth seeded Danielle Collins go toe-to-toe with Shelby Rogers. Collins breezed into the second round of the French Open, only dropping four games in the process. It was a similar situation for Rogers, who got through in straight sets over Martincová.
Jeffery Thomas
We get a battle of Americans on Thursday when Danielle Collins and Shelby Rogers square off in the second round at Roland Garros. Collins didn’t have any problems getting past Viktoriya Tomova in the opening round, dropping just four games total and spending just over an hour on the court. That’s pretty important as Danielle has struggled staying healthy for much of the last couple seasons, so she will be nice and fresh for this matchup. Rogers also had a clean straight sets victory over Tereza Martincova 6-4, 6-3.
Rogers was only broken once in the match, fending off the other five break points in a very efficient performance. The head-to-head is tied at 1 but the much better player right now is Danielle Collins. She was a finalist at this year’s Australian Open and owns a clay win over Simona Halep just a couple weeks ago. Rogers entered the French Open on a five-match losing streak including 4 on clay and I just don’t like her game on the surface. Give me Danielle to win this one pretty comfortably, in straight sets over her compatriot.
Jeffery’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Collins 2-0 (-105)
Marko Nadin
Danielle Collins made a name for herself after she made it to the Australian Open final this season where she lost 3-6, 6-7 to Ashleigh Barty. The 28-year-old American is currently 9th in the WTA rankings, one spot lower than her career-best. Collins is 12-5 for the season and 3-2 on clay court. She is coming off a 6-0, 6-4 win over Viktoriya Tomova in the opening round. Collins’ best result at the French Open was in 2020 when she made it to the quarterfinals. She defeated Shelby Rogers last year in San Jose 6-4, 6-3.
Shelby Rogers is currently at no. 50 on the WTA rankings with her career-best being at no. 36. Rogers is 7-10 for the season including 1-3 on clay. The 29-year-old American is coming off a 6-4, 6-3 win over Tereza Martincova in the opening round of this year’s French Open. Rogers’ best results this season came at the tournaments in Adelaide, Indian Wells and Miami where she reached the third round. Her best result at the French Open so far is the quarterfinals in 2016.
Marko’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Collins 2-0 (-105)
Jack Hartman
Both Danielle Collins and Shelby Rogers will have been delighted to have successfully negotiated their way into the second round of this year’s French Open. Collins, who will be hoping she can match her best ever result of reaching the quarterfinals back in 2020, got off to the perfect start winning her first set against Viktoriya Tomova 6-0. Collins was then pushed all the way in the second set, finding herself 2-4 down before powering her way back to claim the set 6-4. It was the perfect test for Collins who knows she will need to be at her best to beat her compatriot Shelby Rogers. Despite clay not being Shelby Rogers most favored surface, she also has a good record at Roland Garros having made the quarters back in 2017.
Rogers would have been delighted with her first round win, overcoming the tricky Tereza Martincova 6-3, 6-4. The win was incredibly welcome for Rogers who has had a poor year. In the lead up to this year’s tournament, Rogers lost in the first rounds of Charleston, Madrid and Rome. Her reward for her victory now means Rogers gets a shot at the highest ranked American and will want to build on her recent head to head win over Collins. The two are separated by just a year and go back a long way. The two should know each other’s games inside and out, and this could be a match that goes either way but I will side with Collins to march into Round 3.
Jack’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Collins 2-0 (-105)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
