Grand Slam action returns after a brief interlude on day one at the French Open, the third and final Major of the season. There should be plenty of entertaining action on day one in Paris, with a number of star names in action and, as ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Simona Halep vs Sara Sorribes Tormo, Johanna Konta vs Cori Gauff, Maddison Inglis vs Ekaterina Alexandrova and Anett Kontaveit vs Caroline Garcia. Offering their predictions for this slate of matches are Jim Smith and Damian Kust.
French Open Day One Women’s Predictions
Victoria Azarenka vs Danka Kovinic
Jim: Victoria Azarenka arrives at the French Open in superb form and, whilst she wasn’t quite as effective on the clay in Rome as she was on the hard courts in New York, she looks set to do some damage at Roland Garros. Danka Kovinic has had a good season and played well at the Italian Open, reaching the third round as a qualifier, but it is hard to see her getting the better of Azarenka.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Damian: This isn’t the perfect first-round matchup for Azarenka, but in the form that she’s in, she should still be expected to come through. Her fitness is great right now and she should have her eyes on another deep run at a Grand Slam in Paris.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
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Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Venus Williams
Jim: It’s hard to know exactly what to expect from Venus Williams. 2018 was almost certainly the end of her time as a serious contender at the Majors, but when she is on song the veteran American remains a dangerous opponent. Expect her to serve a reminder of that up against the struggling Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Damian: Schmiedlova has been playing pretty well recently and she should have enough for the 40-year-old legend. If this match was to be contested on a faster surface, Williams might have the edge, but even when the American was in her prime, Roland Garros wasn’t her favorite tournament.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 2
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Barbora Strycova vs Varvara Lepchenko
Jim: Varvara Lepchenko has previously played some fine tennis on the European clay and reached the fourth round in Paris in 2012. She may have struggled since, but the American rolled back the years in the qualifying in Paris, storming into the main draw without dropping a set. Against Barbora Strycova, who is not at her best on the clay, Lepchenko might just be able to spring a shock.
Prediction: Lepchenko in 3
Damian: Lepchenko qualified for the event and will have the advantage of knowing the conditions well as a result. Strycova, meanwhile, has never played that well at the French Open with the Czech having lost in the first round a total of nine times in Paris. Upset alert.
Prediction: Lepchenko in 3
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Nina Stojanovic vs Barbora Krejcikova
Jim: It has been a season to forget for Nina Stojanovic, who has failed to make much of a mark on the WTA Tour after a promising end to 2019. But Barbora Krejcikova has also been struggling in singles, which suggests that this could well prove to be a closely fought encounter. Krejcikova has that much more experience at the highest-level, however, which should prove a decisive advantage.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 3
Damian: Stojanovic arrives in Paris rather short of clay-court practice, with the Serbian having played just one match since the US Open. Krejcikova failed to impress playing on clay at ITF, but she will at least have some rhythm.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 3
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