The French Open wraps up its first round on Tuesday (weather-permitting, obviously). On Monday, we saw Caroline Wozniacki struggle with an injury, and Petra Kvitova withdraw before even playing her match. What will we see on Tuesday? We at LWOT are predicting plenty of Day 3 matches for you. We have four matches in this set of predictions, as well as two full other sets. (One of those features Simona Halep vs Ajla Tomljanovic, while the other headlines Aryna Sabalenka vs Dominika Cibulkova.) Predicting these Day 3 matches for you are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Jay Sandhu, and Tracey Essex.
French Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Daria Gavrilova vs Aleksandra Krunic
Tracey:
Not since Indian Wells has Australian Daria Gavrilova made any in-roads into any tournament. She’s chalked up a lot of first-round exits. It would be easy to count her out. Yet, her opponent Aleksandra Krunic has a mirror image record. I expect both Gavrilova and Krunic will play as if they have nothing to lose. And guess what? Neither lady does. A first round win will be a rare accomplishment for either. I expect the head to head where Krunic leads 3-0 to be expanded.
Prediction: Krunic in 2
Jay:
Although both players have had a poor year, Krunic is certainly in worse form. She is on a six-match losing streak and I don’t see her breaking it yet.
Prediction: Gavrilova in 3
Yesh:
Both players are slumping right now, but Gavrilova is more talented. This will all be about who can raise their level first, but the easier pick is the Australian.
Prediction: Gavrilova in 2
Monica Puig vs Kirsten Flipkens
Tracey:
Here you have two very capable players which haven’t found the consistency and the form which could propel them up the ranks. Neither Puig nor Flipkens have shined during the clay court season, both struggling to get through qualifiers at most tournaments. But, it is Puig’s semifinal run at Charleston which leads me to believe the Puerto Rican can take this match.
Prediction: Puig in 2
Jay:
Flipkens has always been a tricky player, but nothing more than that. She’s on a five-match losing streak and will be low on confidence, whereas Puig’s form has been improving. I don’t think Flipkens can do anything to throw off Puig’s game.
Prediction: Puig in 2
Yesh:
Neither player here is particularly adept at clay, but both are talented. Then again, neither player has showcased their talent recently. Puig has the better upside and slightly better results this year, though, so I’ll take her by a slim margin.
Prediction: Puig in 3
Amanda Anisimova vs Harmony Tan
Tracey:
While Amanda Anisimova is never going to command the clay, the young American is a capable clay courter. Frenchwoman Harmony Tan will have crowd support – the French love their players. But, Anisimova will easily move on to the second round.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Jay:
Despite both being youngsters, Anisimova has achieved so much more. Tan has very little experience and I doubt she will be much of a competitor to Anisimova.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Yesh:
Anisimova is fortunate with a good draw here. She doesn’t quite have much clay success this year, and it will take her some time to adjust. Tan should have support from the French crowd, but it won’t be enough to challenge the free-swinging American.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Jelena Ostapenko vs Victoria Azarenka
Tracey:
If Jelena Ostapenko has her game working, this is going to be an absolute battle. Ostapenko has never returned to the form which led her to the 2017 French Open title. Rather, it’s been up and down, hit and miss, and you never know what to expect from the Latvian. She plays with an “all or nothing” mentality and it is the most spectacular performance on the days where everything clicks. Victoria Azarenka has steadily been regaining her pre-maternity form. Playing doubles to get more time on the court is sharpening her all court game. (And getting her wins!) Azarenka’s improved form and mental toughness give her the very slight edge – if Ostapenko comes out sharp.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Jay:
Ostapenko is probably the most disappointing players on tour. I want her to do well like she did two years ago but she has won few matches this year, and Azarenka has made a good comeback, despite some injuries. This should be Azarenka’s match.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Yesh:
It’s not often that two Grand Slam champions match up in the first round, but that’s exactly what we have here. Ostapenko is probably the more talented of the two, but she has never found the consistency needed to replicate her French Open title. Azarenka, meanwhile, has not been able to reach the level she was at before she took time off to become a mother. This will be a tough, hard-hitting battle, and the woman who can keep her cool and avoid hitting errors will win. Give me Azarenka in an incredibly tight match.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
What do you think of our French Open Day 3 predictions? Feel free to leave your own thoughts on Day 3 in the comments.
