2020’s abbreviated European clay-court swing will come to a conclusion at the French Open over the next two weeks. On day one in Paris, there should be plenty of exciting tennis and, as ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Victoria Azarenka vs Danka Kovinic, Johanna Konta vs Cori Gauff, Eugenie Bouchard vs Anna Kalinskaya and Anett Kontaveit vs Caroline Garcia. Offering their predictions for this set of matches are Jim Smith, Damian Kust and David Gertler.
French Open Day One Women’s Predictions
Margarita Gasparyan vs Elise Mertens
Jim: Elise Mertens has suffered some heavy defeats since the season resumed, not least the 6-0 6-1 hammering Victoria Azarenka dealt her in the quarterfinals at the US Open. That match alone illustrated that Mertens has some way still to go before she can challenge the very best in the game. But she has also been winning a lot of matches lately. Expect her to account for Gasparyan comfortably enough.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Damian: The Russian and her one-handed backhand, which is amongst the best in the women’s game, can do damage on clay, but Mertens has been playing very well since the restart. The Belgian has reached the quarterfinals or better at four of the five tournaments she has played and is usually solid enough to avoid being upset in this kind of match.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
David: Gasparyan is at her best on quicker surfaces and facing a player of the calibre of Mertens will be a very difficult challenge. Gasparyan also retired from her last match in Istanbul, which suggests that she may not be fully fit. If Mertens hits with her normal consistency and depth from the baseline, she should have no trouble beating Gasparyan.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
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Simona Halep vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Jim: Simona Halep looks like the heavy favourite for the French Open title after winning her last 14 matches, including ten in a row on clay since the season resumed. Sara Sorribes Tormo is a skilled clay-court operator, but there is a gulf in class here and it would be a surprise if that were not reflected in the scoreline.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Damian: It’s hard to see Halep losing at this year’s Roland Garros, but if it does happen it will surely be to an aggressive player redlining her game. Sorribes Tormo doesn’t fit the description and it would be one of the bigger shocks in women’s tennis in recent times if she was to triumph here.
Prediction: Halep in 2
David: Halep’s counterpunching on clay is special, with the top seed excellent at turning defense into offense. But, don’t doubt Halep’s ability to control the baseline either. Sorribes Tormo is a solid clay-courter, but she will surely be very disappointed with her draw. She does get a lot of balls back into play and will force Halep to hit through her from the baseline. The problem for Sorribes Tormo is that Halep will almost certainly have no problem doing just that.
Prediction: Halep in 2
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Irina-Camelia Begu vs Jil Teichmann
Jim: After making a fast start when the season resumed, Jil Teichmann rather lost her way, crashing out in the first round at the US Open and then in Rome. But she found some form at the Strasbourg International, reaching the quarterfinals. Irina-Camelia Begu will almost certainly provide her with a stern test, but expect the Swiss to have just about enough to reach the second round.
Prediction: Teichmann in 3
Damian: Teichmann has been playing well at a level well-above her ranking recently and although she hasn’t done much on clay in 2020, in previous years it has been her best surface. Begu looked great in the qualifying at the Italian Open, but Johanna Konta made light work of her in the second round in the main draw. Still, the Romanian has enough quality to keep it close.
Prediction: Teichmann in 3
David: The veteran Begu clearly understands the intricacies of clay-court tennis. She had a solid week in Rome, coming through then qualifying and winning a match in the main draw. But Teichmann has impressed since the restart, with her lefty game tough for opponents to handle. Last week, in Strasbourg Teichmann defeated Amanda Anisimova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and she also beat Begu in straight sets in Bol last year. She should also be better equipped for the heavy conditions in Paris.
Prediction: Teichmann in 3
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Greet Minnen vs Nadia Podoroska
Jim: Nadia Podoroska should arrive at the French Open full of confidence after some excellent recent results, not least her run to the title at an ITF-event in Saint Malo a fortnight ago. Greet Minnen, in contrast, has looked as though she could not buy a win lately, with the Belgian’s only victory since the restart coming in the qualifying in Strasbourg. Expect the Argentine to prove too strong.
Prediction: Podoroska in 2
Damian: Podoroska qualified into the main draw at the French Open in fine style and that will surely give her a significant advantage over Minnen, perhaps this year more than ever. With the conditions significantly different compared with previous years, being familiar with how the courts play should be the deciding factor here.
Prediction: Podoroska in 2
David: Minnen has not played well since the restart. She is also at her best on fast courts, which seems to make a turnaround on the clay unlikely, particularly up against the in-form Podoroska. The Argentine has played very solid clay-court tennis since the restart and is the clear favorite in this one. Podoroska should be able to force enough errors out of Minnen to win this one in straight sets.
Prediction: Podoroska in 2
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