The final matches of the first round at the French Open are set to played on day three and there looks set to be plenty of exciting tennis for the fans in Paris. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula, Karolina Pliskova vs Mayar Sherif, Petra Martic vs Misaki Doi and Elena Rybakina vs Sorana Cirstea. Making their picks for this set of matches are Jim Smith and Damian Kust. But who will book their place in the second round?
French Open Day Three Women’s Predictions
Jennifer Brady vs Clara Tauson
Jim: Jennifer Brady was superb throughout the North American summer hard-court swing, with the highlight surely her run to the semifinals at the US Open. It is hard to see her repeating that feat on the slower European clay, but she should prove too strong for the Danish qualifier Clara Tauson.
Prediction: Brady in 2
Damian: We don’t know much about Brady’s clay-court game right now, with the American having not played on the surface since she teamed up with Michael Geserer and made that startling improvement. But this is an upset alert, with Brady facing one of the most talented juniors in the world, who came through the qualifying here in great fashion.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
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Pauline Parmentier vs Veronika Kudermetova
Jim: Veronika Kudermetova has been in indifferent form in the last few weeks and arrives in Paris having lost her last three matches. But it would not be a surprise to see her turn that around against Pauline Parmentier. The Frenchwoman has enjoyed an excellent career, but she is no longer the force she once was and was well-beaten by Magda Linette in Strasbourg last week.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Damian: Parmentier is having a pretty terrible year by her high standards. And, although neither woman comes to Paris in great form, it is Kudermetova has been showing more promise recently.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
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Sloane Stephens vs Vitalia Diatchenko
Jim: Sloane Stephens has not impressed at all on the clay, losing in the first round in both Rome and Strasbourg. But she has been dealt a kind draw at the French Open, with Vitalia Diatchenko having not played since losing in the first round of qualifying in ‘Cincinnati’. Expect Stephens to take advantage of her good fortune.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Damian: Stephens has not been well on the clay so far this year, with her performances in Rome and Strasbourg, where she failed to win a match, fairly dreadful. But she typically raises her level at the Slams and shouldn’t encounter too many problems against Diatchenko.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
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Nao Hibino vs Marta Kostyuk
Jim: This could prove to be one of the better matches of the first round. Both Nao Hibino and Marta Kostyuk are in good form, with Hibino having reached the semifinals in Strasbourg and Kostyuk impressing in coming through the qualifying. But although the Ukrainian surely has the higher ceiling, Hibino has the edge in terms of experience which could well prove to be decisive in what promises to be a closely contested match.
Prediction: Hibino in 3
Damian: The Ukrainian was very up and down in the qualifying event. But she was still able to win three matches and although she might have made it harder than it had to be at times, her potential is very, very high. Expect her to show why here.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
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