Tuesday will see the conclusion of the first round at the French Open 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 Jennifer Brady vs Clara Tauson. Giving 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
Elena Rybakina vs Sorana Cirstea
Jim: After an electric start to the season, Elena Rybakina had been struggling in recent weeks. But the Kazakh found some form at the Strasbourg International, reaching the final in Alsace. She does face a tough first-round test up against the accomplished Sorana Cirstea, but Rybakina’s powerful game looks well-suited to the clay and she appears to thrive on confidence.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Damian: This could be one of the matches of the first round in Paris. Cirstea, who reached the French Open quarterfinals in 2009, is always dangerous, but Rybakina is the favourite for good reason, having finished runner-up in Strasbourg last week.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
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Ons Jabeur vs Zarina Diyas
Jim: Ons Jabeur appears to have struggled to manage the transition to the clay, a surface she has not always enjoyed. But Zarina Diyas does not look hugely comfortable on the ‘terre battue’ either and the heavy conditions in Paris should give Jabeur, who is adept at blending power and touch, the edge.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Damian: Neither Jabeur nor Diyas has much of a record on the clay, but Jabeur has been in better form lately. The Tunisian really upped her game since last year and those improvements should pay dividends for her here.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
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Daria Kasatkina vs Harmony Tan
Jim: Daria Kasatkina finally looked to have found some form at the Italian Open, coming through the qualifying to reach the last 16, only to turn her ankle at the start of a first-set tiebreak against Victoria Azarenka. But, if that injury has healed, there were many positives to take from her run in Rome, whilst Harmony Tan has little experience of tennis at this level.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Damian: Kasatkina injured herself in Rome, but she had been playing well before that. Indeed, it was her best run of performances for some time. If she can channel some of that level here, don’t expect the French wildcard Tan to offer much prolonged resistance.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
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Jelena Ostapenko vs Madison Brengle
Jim: One can never be certain what to expect from Jelena Ostapenko. Indeed, it is often hard to believe that she won this tournament only three years ago, but she does remain a formidable opponent when she is on her game. And, with Madison Brengle possessing a rather unremarkable record on the clay, if Ostapenko plays anything like her best tennis, she should have too much for the American.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Damian: The 2017 Roland Garros champion played some decent tennis last week in Strasbourg, where she reached the quarterfinals, and while she can be unbelievably erratic, she’s also one of the players who might thrive in these heavy conditions.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
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