Day 3 Previews: Novak Djokovic aims to turn a lackluster stretch around at Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic vs. Pierre-Hugues Herbert

“Low expectations but high hopes” is how Djokovic describes his mindset as he tries to defend his title at Roland Garros. The 37-year-old hasn’t had a good season by his standards. For the first time in years, he comes to Paris without a title; his coaching team is unsettled; and his last two defeats, in Rome and Geneva, were lackluster efforts at best.

But as Alexander Zverev said recently, Djokovic “will be at his best” in Paris. “That’s just the way it is.” It’s certainly hard to argue with his record at majors. Djokovic's hopes may high in part because his old nemesis at this event, Rafael Nadal, has already made his exit.

Djokovic will start with a night match in Chatrier against Herbert, a 33-year-old doubles specialist from France. Even with the crowd firmly in favor of Herbert, though, he probably won’t scare Djokovic. PHM is ranked 142nd now, and hasn’t qualified for an ATP main draw so far this year. His trademark is his acrobatic service motion, and the arcing kick that it produces. Even against a Djokovic in relative disarray, though, Herbert will need a lot more than that on Tuesday. Winner: Djokovic

Katie Boulter vs. Paula Badosa

These two have in the spotlight for their play and their significant others—Boulter is with Alex de Minaur, and as of last week, Badosa is back with Stefanos Tsitsipas. But they also make for a pretty good first-round match-up themselves. Badosa has been ranked as high as No. 2 in the world, while Boulter has risen into the Top 30 over the past year.

They’ve never played, but Badosa would seem to have an edge on clay. The 26-year-old made the quarters at Roland Garros in 2021, and is coming off a potentially promising fourth-round run in Rome, which ended in a three-set loss to Coco Gauff. Winner: Badosa

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs. David Goffin

Remember Perricard’s name—even if you’re not sure how to pronounce it just yet. The 20-year-old is another in a new line of highly touted young Frenchmen, and seemingly for good reason. He’s 6'8", he’s ranked 66th, and he just won his first career title, in Lyon. A rowdy crowd should greet him on Court 14 on Tuesday.

Perricard is raw, but he has one more thing going for him: He already has a win over the 33-year-old Goffin, on indoor hard courts in Antwerp last year. It should be fun, and enlightening, to see if the kid can do it again at home. But don’t count out his former Top 10 opponent just yet. Winner: Goffin