Paris Olympics 2024: Tommy Paul vs Luciano Darderi preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (9) Tommy Paul vs Luciano Darderi
Date: July 27, 2024
Tournament: Paris Olympics 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 64)
Venue: Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France
Category: Olympics
Surface: Clay
Live Telecast: USA - NBC, Peacock | UK - Eurosport, Discovery+, BBC iPlayer | Canada - CBC Gem, Radio Canada, Tou.tv | India - JioCinema, Sports18
Tommy Paul vs Luciano Darderi preview
Ninth seed Tommy Paul will square off against Luciano Darderi in the first round of the Paris Olympics.
Paul bowed out of the Australian Open in the third round this year, having made the semifinals last year. He overcame that disappointment by winning his first title of the season at the Dallas Open, and finishing as the runner-up at the Delray Beach Open.
Paul reached the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters too. His good run of form came to an abrupt end as an injury forced him to retire during his second-round match at the Miami Open. He made the last four of the Italian Open during the clay swing, and the third round of the French Open for the first time.
The American captured the biggest title of his career at the Cinch Championships during the grass season. He then reached the last eight at Wimbledon for the first time, going down to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in four sets. He's now set to contest the Olympics for the second time.
Competing in his first full season on the ATP Tour, Darderi has quickly left his mark. He won his maiden career title at the Cordoba Open, and reached the semifinals in Houston and Lyon.
The Italian made winning debuts at the two Majors he contested as he advanced to the second round of the French Open and Wimbledon. He returned to compete on clay after the grass court Major, and made the quarterfinals in Hamburg and the second round in Umag. This will be his debut at the Olympics.
Tommy Paul vs Luciano Darderi head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between the two, so the head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Tommy Paul vs Luciano Darderi odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Tommy Paul vs Luciano Darderi prediction
Darderi has established himself as a credible threat on clay. Of his 22 wins this season, 19 have come on clay. Paul, on the other hand, is 7-3 on clay, though he hasn't competed in as many events on the surface as the Italian.
Darderi has also lost all three of his matches against top-20 players, and all were on his preferred surface, clay. Paul crashed out in the first round of the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. After an underwhelming debut, he will be motivated to at least make it past the opening hurdle this time.
Darderi will also be keen to make a winning debut, and after World No. 1 Jannik Sinner's withdrawal, he will have to spearhead the Italian charge. Paul is a little vulnerable on clay compared to other surfaces but he still will be favored to make it through this clash.
Pick: Tommy Paul to win in three sets.