The first round of the French Open continues on Monday, May 26.
From Roland Garros on Day 2, I have French Open predictions and picks for Carlos Alcaraz vs Giulio Zeppieri and Holger Rune vs Roberto Bautista Agut.
Continue below for my French Open first-round predictions and the latest Roland Garros odds for Monday.
French Open Predictions, Odds (Day 2)
Alcaraz vs Zeppieri Odds
| Carlos Alcaraz Odds | -10000 |
| Giulio Zeppieri Odds | +2500 |
| Over/Under | 27.5 (-110/-125) |
| Time | How to Watch | Monday, 8:10 a.m. ET | TNT, MAX, TRUtv |
| Odds via DraftKings | |
Former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori withdrew from the French Open on Friday due to injury and left current French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz with a different kind of challenge.
The Spaniard just completed an outstanding clay season with two titles in Monte-Carlo and Rome, plus a final appearance in Barcelona.
Doubts were raised when he retired from the Mutua Madrid Open due to a groin injury, but the World No. 2 returned in full force in Italy with the additional reward of beating No. 1 Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
With four Grand Slam titles already in his trophy case, Alcaraz is ready to defend his title and should keep moving up the rankings of the great ones if he stays healthy and fends off competition on a surface where he has already shown dominance.
His quick feet, never-ending will to fight, and an all-encompassing shot-making arsenal make him the perfect candidate to come out on top. That's why he is the betting favorite, surpassing Sinner's odds.
Curiously enough, the experienced Nishikori had never faced Alcaraz, but Zeppieri did. It was in the semifinals of the 2022 Umag ATP Open, and the Spaniard had to go the distance to beat him (7-5, 4-6, 6-3).
Almost three years later, Zeppieri has another chance to showcase his talent.
The left-handed Italian, currently ranked No. 306, breezed past his rivals in Paris this week, winning all three matches without losing a set.
However, Alcaraz has an unblemished record at first-round matches in major tournaments: 16-0. Barring any physical issues, he should make it a swift victory.
Pick: Carlos Alcaraz -9.5 Spread and Under 27.5 Parlay (-120 via DraftKings)
Rune vs Bautista Agut Odds
| Holger Rune Odds | -600 |
| Roberto Bautista Agut Odds | +380 |
| Over/Under | 34.5 (-120/-115) |
| Time | How to Watch | Monday, 8:10 a.m. ET | TNT, MAX, TRUtv |
| Odds via Caesars | |
Holger Rune finally added another ATP tour title to his tally in April after two years without lifting a trophy. The Dane made an impressive run to win the Barcelona ATP 500, beating Sebastian Baez, Casper Ruud, Karen Khachanov, and Carlos Alcaraz along the way.
It was his fifth career title and the third on clay, which tells you where his chances of success improve. He retired in the second round of his next tournament, the Mutua Madrid Open, due to a right thigh injury.
Roland Garros has been Rune's best Grand Slam tournament, with two quarterfinals and a Round of 16 last year, when he lost to Alexander Zverev. Now, Rune might have a trickier path to advance that far, but this round should not be the problem.
Roberto Bautista Agut lost to every contender of a similar level to Rune in the clay season lead-up to Paris, and his only performance of note was the victory against Frances Tiafoe in Hamburg, where he reached the quarterfinals.
The head-to-head for this match favors Rune 2-0. Both victories were on hard surfaces in 2022 and 2024, but Rune is ranked 14th in clay EloRating, so a third one should not be in doubt if he is fully fit.
Pick: Holger Rune -6.5 Spread (-115, via Caesars)
