Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Giulio Zeppieri Preview, Prediction and Betting Odds for the French Open 2025 Round 1

Alcaraz meets Giulio Zeppieri in the first-round of French Open after an early withdraw of Nishikori.

Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

With the French Open 2025 main draw released on May 22, several exciting matchups have emerged, but few are more intriguing than the first-round clash between defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Kei Nishikori. However, Nishikori pulled out of French Open with lower back pain and Giulio Zeppieri will be the new opponent for the defending champions.

Roland-Garros next pic.twitter.com/nbOXcWwwEK
— Carlos Alcaraz (@alcarchive) May 21, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Giulio Zeppieri Preview

The world No. 2, Alcaraz, enters Roland Garros with strong momentum and serious title credentials. The 22-year-old has already claimed titles in Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, and Rome this year. His latest win was capped off by a straight-sets win over world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

His season has also included deep runs at the Australian Open (QF), Indian Wells (SF), and Barcelona (F), bringing his record to an impressive 30-5. Statistically, he’s one of the most efficient players on tour: 133 aces, a 71% first-serve win rate, and a 45% break point conversion.

His name is Carlos Alcaraz Garfia. Conqueror of Monte-Carlo. Two times Defender of Madrid. Victor of Rome. Champion of Roland-Garros. Heir to the King of Clay. And he will have his era, on this court, or the next 🧱 pic.twitter.com/3KOldFJI9z
— ROLEX PARIS MASTERS (@RolexPMasters) May 18, 2025

Giulio Zeppieri, by contrast, will mark his debut at Ronald Garros. The 23-year-old Italian ace has advanced through the qualifying phase. He didn’t drop a single set, overcoming Spizzirri, Choinski, and Fede Gómez in straight sets. He can give a tough fight to the Spaniard with his left-handed shots and great resilience. Zeppieri has played 12 matches in the qualifications of Roland Garros and won all of them.

Zeppieri is currently world no. 306 and he fell to lower ranking due to a serious injury which ruled him out for several months. The Italian ace recently made debut in the Australian Open last year and recorded his first win. He entered the 2024 Open 13 Provence in Marseille as a lucky loser. Zeppieri also played in the 2024 Roland Garros and secured first-round victory over Adrian Mannarino in the first round.

GIULIO ZEPPIERI ACCEDE AL MAIN DRAW DEL ROLAND GARROS! ✅

L'azzurro batte Federico Agustín Gómez nel turno decisivo delle qualificazioni a Parigi con lo score di 6-1 6-4, conquistando per il QUARTO anno consecutivo l'accesso al tabellone principale del Roland Garros: diventa… pic.twitter.com/j062EAIAyB
— Quindici Zero 🎾 (@quindicizero) May 23, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Giulio Zeppieri Head-to-Head Record

Carlos Alcaraz and Giulio Zeppieri have faced each other only once. The Spaniard holds a 1-0 lead over the Italian ace. Zeppieri lost to Carlos in 2022 in Umag semifinal but showed a great fight in three-set thriller.

Year	Event	Round	Winner	Score
2022	Umag	Semifinal	Carlos Alcaraz	7-5, 4-6, 6-3

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Giulio Zeppieri Comparison

Carlos Alcaraz	Category	Giulio Zeppieri
2	Ranking	306
239-61	Career W-L	6-15
30-5	YTD W-L	3-4
19	Career Titles	0
4	Grand Slams	0
3	YTD Titles	0

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Giulio Zeppieri Prediction

Alcaraz enters with superior form, fitness, and momentum, making him the clear favorite. Zeppieri faces the toughest opponent of his career and it could be a career-defining moment if he surprises the defending champions in first-round. However, it won’t be easy in a five-set game. Alcaraz’s power and consistency should prevail.

Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets

Also Read: Which French players have received wild cards for 2025 Roland Garros?

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Giulio Zeppieri French Open 2025 Betting Odds

Here are the betting odds according to BetMGM:

Carlos Alcaraz: 1/40

Kei Nishikori: 13/1

Carlos Alcaraz

Giulio Zeppieri

Roland Garros 2025

Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.