Holger Rune vs Denis Shapovalov 5/24/22 French Open Tennis Picks, Predictions, Odds

Denis Shapovalov and Holger Rune meet in the first round of the 2022 tennis French Open.

Denis Shapovalov enters this tournament splitting his last six matches, and he’s lost five of his last nine matches overall. Shapovalov lost his opening match in Geneva, a losing effort where he was broken twice and won just 31 percent of his return points. Shapovalov is a contender to make a deep run in this tournament, but he has to play better than what he’s shown these last few weeks. Shapovalov has lost in the first round of a grand slam once since 2020. Shapovalov is 2-3 in career matches in the French Open, his last successful grand slam to date. Shapovalov has split his last 10 matches on clay court.

Holger Rune enters this tournament with wins in eight of his last 10 matches, and he’s coming off a semifinal trip in Lyon. At 19 years old, Rune and his 40th ranking in the world is the best of his young career, and he has a chance to build on that in this tournament. Rune hasn’t lost an opening match since Santiago back in February. Rune looks to win his first ever grand slam match, as he’s 0-2 in previous efforts. Rune has won eight of his last 10 matches on clay court.

There’s no match history between these two players.

Shapovalov is going to be favored because of his name and experience, but he didn’t look great in his last effort, he’s been hit or miss pretty much all year and the French Open has been his least successful grand slam. Rune plays his best tennis on clay, he’s playing some of the best tennis of his life, and he’s a legit threat here if he keeps getting his first serve in play.

We’re getting plus money with the player in better form. Give me Rune for the upset.