Sam Querrey versus Frances Tiafoe

Let the talk of “battle of the generations” and “passing of the torch” begin, as veteran American Sam Querrey is set to face his compatriot, young up-and-comer Frances Tiafoe, for a berth in the second round.  On paper, this looks to be the elder American's match to win. Querrey is ranked just outside of the Top 10, owns the bigger serve, has more experience at this level, and has gone deep at the majors.  But as is often the case, looks can be deceiving.  Tiafoe has been steadily climbing up the ranks this year and is close to cracking into the Top 50.  He won his first title in Delray Beach earlier this season, and he has enjoyed more success on the clay coming into Roland Garros based on his finalist appearance in Estoril. 

Additionally, Tiafoe is easily the better defensive player, which is highly rewarded on the dirt, and Tiafoe is most at home on the clay in contrast to Querrey, whose brand of quick-strike tennis sees him more at ease on the faster surfaces.  All told, despite what it says on paper, Tiafoe should be favored in this contest.  It is just a matter of if he is ready to progress in his burgeoning career and take advantage of this opportunity.

Caroline Wozniacki versus Danielle Collins

This past January, Caroline Wozniacki finally got that proverbial monkey off her back when she secured her first major and was crowned Australian Open Champion. That is now a memory though and competing in her first major since accomplishing that breakthrough, she will be expected to back up that result.  Initially, it may appear that she has a good look at taking a first step towards doing just that.  After all, she is a former Number 1, who has gone deep at all the majors, accumulated a plethora of prestigious titles, and has demonstrated she can hold her own against anyone in the game.  She is best known for her phenomenal defense with a shot tolerance that is second to none, which makes playing her on this surface a particularly daunting task. 

Her opponent, Danielle Collins, is hardly a household name and is just starting to find her feet on tour.  She has been finding her feet relatively quickly, however.  She stunned everyone when she made it all the way to the final four in Miami this past spring and has regularly made it through the qualifying on the dirt to catapult into the Top 50 of the rankings.  A product of the college system, she is arguably better-equipped to more quickly adapt to the mental challenges of top-level tennis, and if she displays the gumption folks saw from her in Miami, this will not be an easy one for Wozniacki.  The Dane cannot afford to rely solely on her wheels or Collins has proven she has the weapons to take it to her.  One still must like Wozniacki to make the necessary adjustments to get the win, but it could be more entertaining than some would suspect.

Philipp Kohlschreiber versus Borna Coric

It is not a match that is apt to be on many radars, but the contest between Philipp Kohlschreiber and Borna Coric could be an entertaining affair.  It is also a match that could be of special importance to Coric.  It seems a lifetime ago when at age seventeen, the Croat was named the ATP Newcomer of the Year.  He looked destined to quickly rise up the ranks, but instead, a rude reality check was in store.  He lost his way and instead took a tumble down the rankings, but there have been signs that he has matured and is ready to potentially deliver on that early promise with what he has shown in 2018. 

He nearly upended Roger Federer in the semifinals of Indian Wells and backed it up with a strong showing in Miami.  He looks fitter and more focused than ever.  But he will have his work cut out for him against Kohlschreiber.  The twenty-second seed is a seasoned veteran, who has garnered his share of impressive victories and tournament wins throughout his long career.  He has been solid on the clay coming in, and with the variety of spins and looks at the ball he can produce, he could test the mettle of the Croat.  This definitely has a 50-50 feel to it, but it is bigger for Coric and where he is in his career than it is for the German.  If Coric can hold his nerve, he has the more physically-imposing game and should have the edge, but in all actuality, neither would be a surprise victor.