Dominic Thiem versus Bernard Tomic

A couple of years ago, this match would have been one fans expected to see in the second week of a major, which is probably why by default it looks like one of the more appealing encounters in the opening round.  Looks can be deceiving, however.  Dominic Thiem has surged to a career-high world no.7 in the rankings and has had a phenomenal clay season that includes wins over both Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal.  By contrast, Bernard Tomic is a dismal 5-10 on the season and has never enjoyed great success on the clay in Paris. 

While there is always the possibility that Tomic will suddenly tap into his best form to make this entertaining, the real key to watch for in this match is if Thiem will rise to the occasion and efficiently take care of business.  He has the bigger game all around, and there is no question he is the more comfortable of the duo on clay.  Furthermore, thanks to what he has achieved in the lead-up to Roland Garros, he is considered one of the top favorites behind Nadal to take the title.  That is new territory for the Austrian, and fans will get a clue as to how ready he is to step up and own that moniker in this opening match.

Angelique Kerber versus Ekaterina Makarova

The top players often confess to feeling some early-round jitters when a major gets underway, but it is hard to envision any player feeling those jitters more right now than Angelique Kerber.  If her mediocre results are any indication, she has struggled to live up to expectations coming off her ground-breaking success in 2016, and now with Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Victoria Azarenka all absent, there is even greater pressure on the German to live up to her top seeding at Roland Garros.  If she were hoping for an easy opponent to get over the initial hurdle here in Paris though, she would be sorely disappointed. 

Ekaterina Makarova may have seen her ranking slide due to injuries, but she is a former Top 10 singles player and remains a Top 10 doubles player.  Additionally, though her best has eluded her in Paris, she has gone deep at the other slams and has earned victories over some of the most decorated champions in the sport.  Suffice it to say, she is unlikely to be intimidated by Kerber.  In the end, this one is apt to come down to who can hold her nerve in the big moments.  They are like mirrors of each other.  Each is a lefty, who is an excellent mover that favors her backhand.  Both are also struggling with their form, which leaves it at a near 50-50 proposition with the slight edge going to Kerber thanks to her 7-4 lead in their rivalry.

Lucas Pouille versus Julien Benneteau

It is a case of déjà vu for Lucas Pouille and Julien Benneteau, who for the second straight year, will vie for a place in the second round of their native slam.  Ironically, all three of their previous meetings have come in France, with Pouille enjoying the edge in their rivalry 2-1, including a victory at this venue a year ago.  On paper, Pouille looks poised to add to his lead.  He is ranked securely in the Top 20, whereas Benneteau's ranking has dropped to the point that he needed a wild card to compete in Paris. 

The younger Frenchman has also enjoyed more recent success at the slams, thanks to his quarterfinal finishes at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2016.  But no one, including Pouille, should dismiss Benneteau's chances.  For one thing, Pouille can blow hot and cold, as evidenced by the number of first-round exits he has made at the majors, including two his four prior outings in Paris and earlier this season in Melbourne.  Benneteau has also made all three of his meetings with Pouille competitive affairs, and his experience and willingness to come forward and force the issue could work in his favor on the crucial points.  All told, Benneteau is more at the mercy of Pouille, who if he brings his A-game, will win, but if he does not, then the wily veteran may show he is not ready to pass the torch just yet.