Joao Fonseca will be getting right back in action following his Basel triumph when he kicks off his Paris campaign against Denis Shapovalov on Tuesday. Jiri Lehecka and Valentin Vacherot are also on the schedule.
Denis Shapovalov vs. Joao Fonseca
It will be a rematch of last week’s Basel quarterfinals when Shapovalov and Fonseca meet again in round one of the Rolex Paris Masters on Tuesday. Fonseca led 4-1 in the third set when Shapovalov abruptly retired last Friday, sending the 19-year-old on the way to his first ATP 500 title. He was especially impressive in the semis and final, beating Jaume Munar and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina without dropping a set.
Fatigue should not be factor for Fonseca, who dropped just one set all week long and played only four matches (he got a second-round walkover from Jakub Mensik). Shapovalov is a much bigger question mark heading into Paris given his retirement in Basel and a heavy workload (he also advanced to the Stockholm semis). The 24th-ranked Canadian would probably prefer a fast surface, too, as he can be an unforced-error machine when the rallies are extended.
Pick: Fonseca in 3
(WC) Valentin Vacherot vs. (14) Jiri Lehecka
Speaking of rematches, a second-round showdown between first cousins is possible in Paris. Arthur Rinderknech already advanced on Monday. If Vacherot wins his opening contest inside La Defense, it will be a rematch of the Shanghai Masters final–in which Vacherot defeated Rinderknech in three sets. The world No. 40 from Monaco followed up his Cinderella run by playing well in Basel, where he lost to Taylor Fritz in high-quality three-setter.
Up first for Vacherot is Lehecka, whom he has never faced. The 18th-ranked Czech began the fall swing in fine form, reaching the Shanghai fourth round and the Brussels final. A blowout 6-2, 6-2 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp right away in Basel puts doubt in Lehecka’s Paris prospects. He also has the Davis Cup Finals coming up, so it remains to be seen how inspired he is this week. Vacherot’s motivation level, on the other hand, certainly isn’t in question for what might as well be a home tournament.
Pick: Vacherot in 3
