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 Serena Williams vs Irinia-Camelia Begu, the third highlights Garbine Muguruza vs Marta Kostyuk, the fourth features Bianca Andreescu vs Tamara Zidansek, and the final one highlights Belinda Bencic vs Nadia Podoroska. Predicting this match are Nurein Ahmed, Jim Smith, and Steen Kirby.
French Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Zheng Saisai vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Nurein:
Sorribes Tormo has put together a career-best season in 2021. It is ironic that her best results have come on hard courts, and she has struggled mightily on clay. Last week she retired in Parma for an undisclosed reason. If fitness is a concern, Zhang could take advantage now that she has finally snapped her losing streak.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Steen:
Zheng is just 5-12 on the season. Sorribes Tormo is 18-10, although not quite as good on the clay. Nothing indicates to me Zheng will pull off an upset here.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Jim:
Sorribes Tormo has not enjoyed the most productive clay-court swing, losing in the first round in Bogota and Madrid, as well as the second round in Rome and Parma, where she withdrew. But she has faced some very tough draws. If she is fully fit, expect her to have too much for Zheng, who is still looking for her first French Open win.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Zhu Lin vs Jessica Pegula
Nurein:
Jessica Pegula has underlined her credentials as a player for all surfaces. Her transition to clay has been seamless and I fancy her chances of wreaking her havoc in the draw.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Steen:
A quarterfinalist in Rome and 19-10 on the season, Pegula is playing some world-class tennis in 2021. Zhu is just 4-7 and has never won a match at Roland Garros.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Jim:
After her remarkable early season exploits, Jessica Pegula’s level has dropped off in recent weeks. But she has still played some solid tennis and posted some good results, not least reaching the last eight in Rome. She should have enough to get the better of Zhu.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Camila Giorgi vs Petra Martic
Nurein:
This should be Day 2’s popcorn match as far as the women’s draw goes. Martic’s partnership with Francesca Schiavone continues to bear fruits and it remains to be seen if the Croat will maintain her standing at Roland Garros, where she is a two-time quarterfinalist. Camila Giorgi is certainly an awkward opponent to play right off the bat, but Martic’s toolbox of shots should neutralize the Italian’s power.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Steen:
Semifinals in Rome and a quarterfinal in Parma is a great finish to her preparations for Roland Garros for the former quarterfinalist Martic. Giorgi is capable on clay but lacks any kind of stellar result this season at 5-7 overall. This could be close but Martic should have the upper hand.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Jim:
It is hard to escape the feeling that Giorgi has underachieved so far in her career, despite some impressive results including a run to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2018. Regardless, she seems unlikely to get the better of Petra Martic, who has found some form of late back on her preferred clay, reaching the semifinals in Rome and the last eight in Parma.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Sofia Kenin vs Jelena Ostapenko
Nurein:
Kenin is the fourth seed, but we can all agree she is fourth seed by name and cetrtainly not on current performance levels. It is hard to imagine the American getting herself out of this mud anytime soon. Even for a player as erratic as Ostapenko, I expect her to swing with so much comfort against an opponent whose confidence is at an all-time low.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Steen:
With Kenin struggling and Ostapenko always a threat on clay, this one should be routine for the Latvian despite the difference in ranking. Kenin has not been able to back up her run to last year’s Roland Garros final so far this season, and Ostapenko is trying rekindle the level of play that makes her a former champion at this tournament.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Jim:
This looks like a very tough draw for Kenin, who is clearly badly short of confidence and rhythm. Ostapenko may have a poor record in Paris, save for when she won the title in 2017, but the Latvian has been playing better tennis than Kenin of late.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
