🎾 Alexei Popyrin vs. Yoshihito Nishioka – French Open R1

ATP French Open

🎾 Alexei Popyrin vs. Yoshihito Nishioka – French Open R1 Preview

🧠 Form & Context

Alexei Popyrin
🎓 Junior champ, senior slump: Won the Boys’ French Open in 2017 and debuted in style in 2019 with a win over Humbert, but has since lost six straight matches at Roland Garros.
🎾 Clay confidence improving: Reached QFs in Monte Carlo and Geneva, signaling a rare patch of stability on his least consistent surface.
🔄 Slam pressure rising: Now World No. 25, but owns just a 12–12 career record in R1 Slam matches—needs to back up ranking with results.
🧱 Paris demons to break: Despite solid clay preparation, has yet to win in Paris since 2019. This is his best shot in years.
Yoshihito Nishioka
🩼 Physically hampered: Has withdrawn or retired from three events in 2025, and played just one clay match, a loss to Dusan Lajovic in Rome.
🚫 Surface mismatch: Clay is Nishioka’s weakest surface, but he has overperformed in Paris compared to expectations.
🇫🇷 Sneaky RG record: Four R2 finishes and a second-week run in 2023 (R4) make him more successful at Roland Garros than most would expect.
🔋 Preparedness uncertain: Enters with extremely limited match play and fitness red flags—hard to trust over five sets.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Popyrin enters with form and rhythm on clay, which is a rarity for him, while Nishioka is undercooked and nursing physical concerns. Though the head-to-head favors the Japanese player (1–0), that win came under healthier circumstances. If Popyrin can stay aggressive and dictate with his serve-forehand combo, he should keep rallies short and avoid letting Nishioka get into patterns. Nishioka has the craft and footspeed, but not the stamina or consistency on clay right now. Popyrin’s recent clay results (Monte Carlo & Geneva QFs), paired with Nishioka’s rust, make this a strong opportunity for the Aussie to end his Roland Garros losing streak.

🔮 Prediction

This is a prime chance for Popyrin to snap his Paris curse. With Nishioka struggling physically, expect a breakthrough for the Aussie. 🧩 Prediction: Popyrin in 3 sets, taking control with his pace and serve while Nishioka fades physically.

WTA Rouen: Moyuka Uchijima vs Lois Boisson

WTA Rouen: Moyuka Uchijima vs Lois Boisson – Preview

🧠 Form & Context

Moyuka Uchijima
🌟 Solid 2025 start: The Japanese No. 1 has a 12–11 record this season and enters Rouen following a gritty 2–1 win over Brancaccio.
🎯 Consistent improvement: She has gradually expanded her clay-court game, now at 10–9 for her career on the surface, including a solid 1–0 start this year.
💼 Tour-level experience advantage: Currently ranked No. 60 and has already competed in three Grand Slam main draws in 2025.
🇯🇵 Rising with form: Recently beat Boulter and took a set off Kalinskaya in Miami, suggesting she’s close to breaking through against higher-tier opposition.

Lois Boisson
🔥 Clay court grinder: The Frenchwoman is 10–3 on clay this year and 94–39 for her career, showing clear surface specialization.
🎁 Home crowd boost: Competing in her home country, Boisson comes off a strong 2-set win over Dart and is now into her first WTA R16 of the season.
🔁 ITF to WTA transition: She’s been dominant at the ITF level (6 singles titles), but this is one of her few main tour opportunities, and she’s rising to the occasion.
📉 Limited top-tier experience: Her 2025 season has primarily been in lower-tier events; ranked No. 303, she’s the clear underdog but has momentum.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Boisson is enjoying a strong clay season at the ITF level and showed composure in her R1 win, but she steps up significantly in class here. Uchijima may not be a clay-court natural, but her movement, deep return game, and tour-level experience give her a big advantage in point construction and shot selection.

Boisson's best chance is to extend rallies and draw errors from Uchijima, especially if the Japanese player gets tentative on serve. However, Uchijima’s higher tempo and match experience—particularly in pressure moments—should allow her to control this contest if she stays focused.

🔮 Prediction

Boisson is dangerous on clay and has the crowd behind her, but Uchijima’s overall consistency, form against better players, and physical edge should help her manage the challenge and move into the quarterfinals.