French Open Tennis 2012: Last-Minute Predictions for Opening Round

With the 2012 French Open at Roland Garros kicking off Sunday, May 27 at 11 a.m. local time (5 a.m. ET), it’s time to get our last-minute predictions in for the opening round of action.

It’s not easy to predict anything on the clay courts of Roland Garros, but the first round consists mostly of the lower-ranked players trying to get their momentum going for the long tournament ahead.

Memorial Day weekend in the United States is a huge party, but the fun can’t begin until the 2012 French Open officially kicks off!

When: May 27 through June 10

Watch: NBC, ESPN2, Tennis Channel

Where: Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France

Live Stream: ESPN3.com, Roland-Garros TV

Listen: Roland-Garros Radio

Venus Williams Will Lose

Venus Williams has never won a French Open title in her career, and 2012 does not look to be her claim to fame. While Venus hasn’t lost in the first round since 2001, she has been bounced before the fourth round four out of the last six French Opens.

While Argentinean Paula Ormaechea is a first-time entrant, she will handle the pressure of the big stage and knock Williams out at Roland Garros.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Will Advance

There is nothing better than a good home-field advantage story, and that is what we have when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga takes the court at Roland Garros. The native of France has been playing solid over the last year and looks to take the next step into the mainstream by winning this weekend.

Tsonga will face French Open rookie Andrey Kuznetsov in what should be an easy way to get the momentum moving for what could be a dream run.

Juan Martin Del Potro Will Steal the Show

Albert Montanes is a tough veteran of the tour, but it will be Juan Martin Del Potro that brings the heat and wins their first-round matchup. Del Potro is playing great tennis right now, and Montanes doesn’t have enough in the tank to outlast the younger and faster Argentinean star.

As long as Del Potro doesn’t get caught sleeping on the veteran, he should be able to finish him off easily.

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