The French Open splits up the first round over three days, and we’ll get 24 women’s matches on Day 2 on Monday. As always, we’re here at LWOT to predict every one of the for you. Three writers will share their thoughts on each match. We look at four matches in this article, plus five more articles. One features Iga Swiatek vs Kaja Juvan, the next headlines Sofia Kenin vs Jelena Ostapenko, the third highlights Garbine Muguruza vs Marta Kostyuk, the fourth features Serena Williams vs Irinia-Camelia Begu, and the final one highlights Belinda Bencic vs Nadia Podoroska. Predicting this match are Yesh Ginsburg, Jim Smith, and Steen Kirby.
French Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Kiki Bertens vs Polona Hercog
Yesh:
Hercog is a powerful player and fun to watch on clay. Bertens, though, is just too talented. Even though the Dutch player has been struggling recently, it’s impossible to pick against her. If she finds her form, very few can touch her.
Prediction: Bertens in 3
Steen:
Hercog leads the head-to-head 2-1, but only has one WTA level win this season. Bertens at 2-5 is struggling as well and most likely won’t be able to make a deep run here. The former semifinalist should be good enough to escape the first round with a win.
Prediction: Bertens in 3
Jim:
It once looked certain that Bertens would one day be crowned champion at the French Open, but the Dutchwoman has badly lost her way recently and has not yet won a match this season. At her best, that would surely change at Hercog’s expense, but Bertens has not been playing well enough to inspire any real faith in her chances here.
Prediction: Hercog in 2
Tereza Martincova vs Ivana Jorovic
Yesh:
Jorovic just isn’t playing at a level right now to win matches at a Grand Slam. It’s that simple. Martincova isn’t playing that well herself, but Jorovic is just at a level far below hers.
Prediction: Martincova in 2
Steen:
Martincova leads the head-to-head 2-1, and has already won more Tour-level matches this year than any previous year on tour. At a career high ranking and making her Roland Garros debut, she’s the favorite against Jorovic who has only played two matches this year and lost both. Jorovic has already never made it out of the first round at Roland Garros.
Prediction: Martincova in 2
Jim:
The clay-court season has not been kind to Tereza Martincova, with the Czech having so far failed to win a match since arriving in Europe. But Jorovic’s struggles have been more even pronounced. She has played just two matches so far this season and has lost them both without winning a set. This looks like a good opportunity for Martincova to get back to winning ways.
Prediction: Martincova in 3
Shelby Rogers vs Rebecca Peterson
Yesh:
It’s gone under the radar, but Shelby Rogers has been playing some very solid tennis recently. She’s punching above her ranking, which is already over a dozen spots ahead of Rebecca Peterson. I expect the American to move on without much trouble.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Steen:
Rogers leads the h2h 1-0 and at 15-11 on the season–the former quarterfinalist has found some solid form so far. Peterson is just 6-7 and not the best on clay.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Jim:
This should be a good contest. Rogers may be at her best on hard courts, but her powerful groundstrokes ensure she is, at the worst, competitive on the clay. Peterson, in contrast, is at her most comfortable on the terre battue. But although she has gone someway to recovering from her disastrous 2020, she still does not look entirely at ease on the court. Rogers should be able to take advantage.
Prediction: Rogers in 3
Bianca Andreescu vs Tamara Zidansek
Yesh:
Andreescu thinks she’s healthy enough to compete at this tournament. I’m not in any position to dispute how physically ready she is. If she’s at anywhere near her normal self, she wins this match with ease. If not, anything can happen.
Prediction: Andreescu in 2
Steen:
Zidansek is 10-10 in 2021 and looking to get out of the first round at Roland Garros for the first time. Andreescu reached the quarters in her only clay court prep tournament for RG and is simply not great on this surface. However she probably can survive here, an upset is not surprising if it happens though.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Jim:
Andreescu has had such a hard time staying fit that it is hard to know what to expect of her here. She is certainly a better player than Zidansek–something the Slovenian would surely admit herself. But after being forced out of Strasbourg with another injury, the Canadian may find herself short of rhythm here.
Prediction: Zidansek in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
