The French Open gets further into the first round on Monday. What can we expect to see? We’re here at LWOT to predict some of the day’s best matches for you including Caroline Wozniacki vs Veronika Kudermetova. (We also have two other sets of predictions. One features Serena Williams vs Vitalia Diatchenko, while the other headlines Sorana Cirstea vs Petra Kvitova.) Predicting these matches today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Tracey Essex, and Jim Smith.
French Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Ashleigh Barty
Tracey:
Ashleigh Barty is World #8 and the #8 seed at the French Open and undoubtedly playing the best tennis of her young career. While American Jessie Pegula turned in a career best on the Charleston clay, she doesn’t have the experience or the weapons to be much of a threat.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Jim:
It has been a super season for Barty, who won the Miami Open as well as reaching her first Major quarterfinal in Melbourne. Matching that run in Paris might prove tough, with Barty not the most natural of clay courters. But she has sharpened up her skills on the dirt and she should be able to get past Pegula without too many problems.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Yesh:
Pegula is a talented young American who might have some good Grand Slam runs in her future. Against Barty, with the way the Australian is playing right now, don’t expect her too challenge too much.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Shuai Zhang vs Varvara Lepchenko
Tracey:
Except for a 125K series in China, the clay hasn’t been kind to Zhang. There are few players she can hit off the court, and Vavara Lepchenko certainly isn’t one of them. Thanks to three qualifying matches, Lepchenko has spent time on the courts. That is what gives her the edge.
Prediction: Lepchenko in 3
Jim:
Zhang has had some great moments in her career, most notably her run to the Australian Open quarterfinals three years ago. But she will be in for a real test against Varvara Lepchenko, who came through the qualifying without dropping a set. That winning momentum could well prove decisive in this one, which looks close on paper.
Lepchenko in 3
Yesh:
Lepchenko can outhit just about anyone when she’s swinging free. She looked comfortable in qualifying, and should be able to get past Zhang, who no longer seems to be at her absolute best–especially on clay.
Prediction: Lepchenko in 2
Dayana Yastremska vs Carla Suarez Navarro
Tracey:
The Ukrainian teenager has found her feet on clay. Yastremska lifted the trophy in Strasboug clearly demonstrating her prowess on clay. Yet, just a few weeks ago in Rome, Carla Suarez Navarro eliminated Yastremska in the opening round. What lessons did Yastremska learn in that match? I think Yastremska learned enough to see off the #28 seed, albeit a tough go.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Jim:
The big-hitting Yastremska clearly has a bright future ahead of her and played some superb tennis to storm to the title at the Internationaux De Strasbourg. She also beat Suarez Navarro earlier this season at Melbourne Park. But the Spaniard is an experienced clay-court campaigner and Yastremska must surely be in danger of a let-down after her exploits in Strasbourg.
Suarez Navarro in 3
Yesh:
Yastremkska is a future star who is playing really well right now. Suarez Navarro is a talented, consistent player that can trouble most women on tour, but I expect Yastremska to just hit her off the court here.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Caroline Wozniacki vs Veronika Kudermetova
Tracey:
Thanks to the coaching addition of Francesca Schiavone, Caroline Wozniacki has become a true clay-courter. And the cleverly honed offensive strategy has greatly improved the Wozniacki game. It’s the Dane’s health which is the cause for concern. The 22-year-old Russian has the skills to wrestle this match away from Wozniacki. In fact, Kudermetova’s game can challenge the toughest on tour. But, if Wozniacki is at 100%, it’s all hers.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Jim:
Wozniacki’s struggles with injury this season have been well documented and she didn’t manage to complete her opening matches in either Madrid or Rome. Nor has she often managed to find her best tennis in Paris. With her current injury problems, it is hard to see her managing to overcome the challenge of Kudermetova, who has played some good ball on the clay this year. Indeed, just finishing the match would probably count as an achievement for the Dane.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Yesh:
Kudermetova is a good player and in good form. With Wozniacki’s recent struggles, it would be easy to write the Dane off. That’s a mistake. Wozniacki is a Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 for a reason. She finds ways to frustrate her opponents and work her way through matches even when she’s not at her best. I don’t know how deep Wozniacki can go here, but she’s not losing in her first match.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Main Photo from Getty
