With 20 first-round matches on the schedule, there should be plenty of entertaining tennis for the fans on day one at the French Open. We here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Naomi Osaka vs Patricia Maria Tig, Ana Konjuh vs Aryna Sabalenka, Victoria Azarenka vs Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Greet Minnen vs Petra Kvitova. Making their picks for this group of matches are Jim Smith, Steen Kirby, and Yesh Ginsburg. But who will advance to the second round?
French Open Day 1 Predictions
Clara Burel vs Danka Kovinic
Jim: Having impressed with a run to the third round at the French Open last season, the pressure will be on Burel to perform once again this year. But she has been struggling to make an impact at tour-level so far in 2021 and comes up against an experienced campaigner in Kovinic. This may prove to be a disappointing day for the French young gun.
Prediction: Kovinic in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Steen: Kovinic was great in Charleston and less impressive elsewhere, Burel has had some success at the ITF level but less so at WTA tour level in 2021. This will be a competitive match, but Kovinic should have that extra edge. Kovinic in 3
Yesh: I am really impressed with the young Clara Burel. She has not yet progressed as much as we might have hoped, but she likes this surface and this location. I think her home will spur her on to some success here once again.
Prediction: Burel in 3
Danielle Collins vs Wang Xiyu
Jim: Collins enjoyed an excellent tournament at the French Open last season, with her powerful groundstrokes serving her well in the heavy conditions. But consistency continues to elude the American and she has also had to battle injury issues. With this set to be Collins’ first match since the WTA Miami Open, expect the qualifier Wang to prove too sharp.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Steen: Danielle Collins hasn’t played the clay court season due to injury, Wang qualified for this tournament but has been struggling overall. This will likely not be the highest quality match, Wang is inconsistent, and Collins is likely still shaking off rust and looking for form. Collins in 3
Yesh: How can you underrate Danielle Collins with what she’s going through right now? No one has major surgery before a Major and competes unless they know they can play. The American’s groundstrokes is great for this surface, and she plays her absolute best on the biggest stage. She’ll be ready, and she’ll win.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Nao Hibino vs Nina Stojanovic
Jim: This is a good opportunity for Stojanovic up against a player in Hibino who is not particularly comfortable on the clay. The Japanese has won just two matches on the clay this year, both in unsuccessful qualifying campaigns. Whilst Stojanovic has hardly been pulling up trees herself, she should have the edge here.
Prediction: Stojanovic in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Steen: Hibino is just 3-11 on the season, Stojanovic hasn’t been great either, but Hibino is poor on clay and playing significantly worse all the same. This should be one way traffic most likely. Stojanovic in 2
Yesh: Hibino is a solid enough player–on hard courts. The Japanese just isn’t comfortable or consistent on clay, and Stojanovic should breeze through this one.
Prediction: Stojanovic in 2
Amanda Anisimova vs Veronika Kudermetova
Jim: Anisimova’s attempts to build up some momentum ahead of the French Open yielded few results and the American, who announced herself by reaching the semifinals in 2019, faces what looks like being a tough opening test in the shape of Kudermetova. The Russian has been in good form of late and it would be a surprise were she not to be the player to reach the second round.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Steen: Anisimova reached the quarterfinals in Parma, a sign of form heading into a tournament where she’s found great success in the past. Kudermetova has had the better season though, winning Charleston and reaching the semis in Istanbul. This should be competitive but Kudermetova looks to have the upper hand. Kudermetova in 3
Yesh: Anisimova’s favorite surface is clay, and her best tournament is the French Open. The young American is my pick to make a surprise run at this event, and you can’t do that if you start with a loss. Anisimova will advance, and in impressive fashion.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
