The first round of the French Open begins on Sunday, May 25.
Our betting experts are all over Day 1 from Roland Garros and have French Open predictions and picks for Ben Shelton vs. Lorenzo Sonego and Alex Michelsen vs. Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
Continue below for French Open predictions, picks and odds for the first round on Sunday.
French Open Predictions — First Round
Alex Michelsen vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo Odds
| Alex Michelsen Odds | -122 |
| Juan Manuel Cerundolo Odds | +102 |
| Over/Under | 38.5 (-110 / -120) |
| Time | How to Watch | Sunday, 6:40 a.m. ET | TNT, truTV, MAX |
| Odds via BetMGM. | |
At just 20 years of age, Alex Michelsen (32) is one of the more impressive young American tennis players. However, this spot isn't favorable as Michelsen doesn't have a lot of experience on clay (3-6 overall in his career and an EloRating of 81st on the surface).
Michelsen has zero victories in his career at Roland Garros, with his lone match coming last year against Alex de Minaur. The American won a total of three games in a straight-set beatdown.
On the flip side, this is Juan Manuel Cerundolo's first career main draw match at the French Open. He's posted at least one victory in four straight French Open appearances, but he's never advanced past qualifying until this year.
The good news, though, is Cerundolo is advanced on clay and has shown good form this season, especially in Madrid (1000-event), where he beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets.
Most importantly to this play, Cerundolo has already played three matches this week on this surface, giving him an edge on the American.
The lefty will give Michelson fits and ultimately advance to Round 2.
Pick: Juan Manuel Cerundolo Moneyline (+110 via BetMGM)
Ben Shelton vs Lorenzo Sonego Odds
| Ben Shelton Odds | -165 |
| Lorenzo Sonego Odds | +125 |
| Over/Under | 40.5 (-115/-120) |
| Time | How to Watch | Sunday, 2:15 p.m. ET | TNT, truTV, MAX |
| Odds via DraftKings. For tips on how to watch French Open tennis, click here. | |
There's history between these two players, with three matches in their head-to-head, and a very clear trend.
Ben Shelton is the better player, ranked 13th, with a lot to achieve at 22 years old. However, he prefers hard courts, where he can best showcase his skills.
So, while the American has already beaten Lorenzo Sonego twice, both victories have been on hard surfaces. The latest was a four-setter win at the Australian Open in this year's quarterfinals.
On clay, 30-year-old Sonego seems to hold the advantage. He defeated Shelton in Paris two years ago in four sets and has performed better on this surface, although he's not really a clay specialist.
The Italian's form has dipped recently, but he should still be considered a threat here.
Both players did poorly in the recent clay season, and neither was able to get past a third round at the ATP 1000 tournaments. Shelton had the best showing at an ATP 500 in Munich, where he lost the final to Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
If there's a chance of an upset in the French Open's first round, it is this match.
I prefer to go with the over this time.
Pick: Over 40.5 (-115 via DraftKings)
