Monday is the second day of action at the French Open. We are predicting every single one of the day’s 24 matches for you, across six separate articles. Each article predicts four matches. The other five articles feature Serena Williams vs Kristie Ahn, Amanda Anisimova vs Tamara Korpatsch, Garbine Muguruza vs Tamara Zidansek, Iga Swiatek vs Marketa Vondrousova, and Madison Keys vs Shuai Zhang, respectively. Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Damian Kust, and Ewan West.
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Chloe Paquet vs Alize Cornet
Jim:
Cornet arrives at the French Open after a successful summer in North America, highlighted by her run to the fourth round at the US Open. Her compatriot Paquet, in contrast, has not won a match since the season resumed in August. This should be a fairly routine outing for Cornet.
Prediction: Cornet in 2
Damian:
Paquet has not won a single match after the restart, failing in four consecutive matches. Cornet had some great runs and the French and should be able to defeat her down-on-confidence opponent.
Prediction: Cornet in 2
Ewan:
Cornet made the last 16 in Strasbourg after a fourth round run at the US Open. She should be too good for her compatriot, who is 0-4 since the restart.
Prediction: Cornet in 2
Leylah Annie Fernandez vs Magda Linette
Jim:
This is one of the more intriguing matches of Day 2. Fernandez clearly has an exceptionally bright future in the game and impressed in reaching the second round at the US Open. But one suspects that this will be a challenge too far, too soon for the Canadian. Linette has been impressive over the last 18 months, breaking into the top 50, and the Pole’s consistency should see her past Fernandez and into the second round.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Damian:
This is one of the most exciting clashes of the round. Fernandez is a very exciting prospect but I’m not convinced she has the power to hit through the court in these very slow conditions.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Ewan:
Linette is 5-5 since the restart but the WTA #36 is not at her best on clay. The 18-year-old Fernandez won the French Open juniors last year, and made the last four in 2018. That clay court pedigree could see her pull off the upset.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
CiCi Bellis vs Bernarda Pera
Jim:
Bellis deserves great credit for resurrecting her career after a dreadful run of injuries and she played some fine tennis in her native North America over the summer. But she elected not to play in Rome or Strasbourg, unlike Pera, who featured at both events, albeit without winning a match. Nonetheless, that time spent on the clay should give her a decisive edge here.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Damian:
Bellis hasn’t played a single match on clay in the past three years (not counting exhibitions). Both Americans will not be coming into this one with great match rhythm, but Pera’s solid game might be enough to lure errors out of Bellis.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Ewan:
Both Americans have had success on clay, and while Pera went 0-2 in Rome and Strasbourg, Bellis has not played since the US Open. The recent matches on the surface should benefit the WTA #61.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Petra Kvitova vs Oceane Dodin
Jim:
Kvitova has never been one of the best clay-courters in the women’s game and one suspects that she will like the slow, heavy conditions this year in Paris even less than usual. She will also surely be short of match practice on the clay having not yet played on the surface this season. Could that set the stage for an upset? Probably not. Dodin’s form has been indifferent, even at ITF-level.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Damian:
Clay was never Kvitova’s best surface, but it’s not like she couldn’t play great stuff on the dirt. I’m expecting a good run from her in this event and Dodin shouldn’t be the one to ruin these expectations.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Ewan:
Kvitova should have the power to hit through the difficult, heavy conditions. Dodin has four wins in ITF clay events this month, but 2012 semi-finalist Kvitova should have too much in the pair’s first meeting.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
