Day three at the French Open will see the conclusion of the first round, with a number of intriguing matches on the slate in Paris. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Karolina Pliskova vs Mayar Sherif, Elena Rybakina vs Sorana Cirstea, 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. Who will book their place in the second round?
French Open Day Three Women’s Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula
Jim: Aryna Sabalenka is hit and miss at the best of times, and it has been more miss than hit for the Belarusian of late. But she played some good tennis in Strasbourg, where she reached the semifinals. If she can maintain that level in Paris, expect her to prove too strong for Jessica Pegula, who has not played competitively since the US Open.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Damian: This could have been a potential upset alert, but with the very slow conditions this year in Paris, Sabalenka seems one of the players that could do well. She was also in very decent form last week in Strasbourg.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
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Timea Babos vs Ana Bogdan
Jim: Neither woman has enjoyed the ideal preparation for the French Open. Timea Babos was hammered 6-0 6-1 by Arantxa Rus when she last stepped on to court, whilst Ana Bogdan has been out injured since mid-August. This may not be the highest-quality match as a result. But with Bogdan’s fitness uncertain, expect Babos to take advantage.
Prediction: Babos in 3
Damian: The Hungarian isn’t focusing on singles that much anymore and it shows. Bogdan hasn’t played since retiring in Prague last month, but she has had some time to heal her injury. If the Romanian is healthy, she should win this rather comfortably.
Prediction: Bogdan in 2
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Kateryna Kozlova vs Paula Badosa Gibert
Jim: Paula Badosa Gibert has played some fine clay-court tennis in recent weeks, not least in reaching the semifinals at the Istanbul Cup. Kateryna Kozlova, in contrast, has been out of action since the US Open, with the Ukrainian electing not to play a clay-court warm-up event. That decision seems unlikely to pay off here.
Prediction: Badosa Gibert in 3
Damian: The Spaniard played very well at the Istanbul Cup, reaching the semifinals, and has a great clay-court skillset. It should be enough to take her past the Ukrainian Kozlova, who hasn’t played much tennis recently.
Prediction: Badosa Gibert in 2
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Fiona Ferro vs Heather Watson
Jim: This is another contest between two women who may not be fully fit. Fiona Ferro made the perfect start to the restart, winning the title in Palermo, but she has not played since after picking up a rib injury. Heather Watson, meanwhile, retired after only five games in the first round in Istanbul and has not played since. But if they are both fit, this is a match Ferro should win.
Prediction: Ferro in 3
Damian: Clay isn’t Watson’s best surface and she faces a very tough opponent in the Frenchwoman Ferro. In fact, if her rib injury has healed Ferro could well put together a deep run in Paris after showing her quality in Palermo, where she won her first WTA title.
Prediction: Ferro in 2
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