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 Serena Williams vs Irinia-Camelia Begu, the fourth features Bianca Andreescu vs Tamara Zidansek, and the final one highlights Belinda Bencic vs Nadia Podoroska. Predicting this match are Andrew Watson, Jim Smith, and Steen Kirby.
French Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Johanna Konta vs Sorana Cirstea
Andrew:
I’m backing the Romanian to beat the seeded Brit here. Cirstea is in great form, having reached the final in Strasbourg last week, and with doubts about Konta’s fitness that makes me more confident that the Romanian will come out on top here.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Steen:
Cirstea and Konta have split meetings but Cirstea is much better on clay, especially lately. Runs to the final in Strasbourg and Istanbul have the former quarterfinalist well prepped to make a run this tournament. She’ll need to manage her fitness, but otherwise should be the winner in Round 1.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Jim:
Britain’s Konta made some impressive strides on the clay relatively late in her career, reaching the final at the Italian Open and the last four at Roland Garros in 2019. But she has struggled so far this season, with both form and fitness. With Cirstea in good form, the Romanian should be the player to reach the Round of 64.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Laura Siegemund vs Caroline Garcia
Andrew:
The German is now in the veteran stage of her career so it is very much known that her clay game is very good indeed. She had a decent run at Roland Garros last year–and it is a tournament that, for the most part, Garcia has flattered to deceive at. As much as the French would love a run from her I can’t see it given Garcia’s current level of performance.
Prediction: Siegemund in 3
Steen:
Siegemund is having an okay season thus far, but as a former quarterfinalist at this tournament she’s already shown she can play at a higher level. Garcia is playing at home, has a slightly better record in 2021 and is also a former quarterfinalist though. This should be close but the home player has the edge.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Jim:
This looks to have the makings of a close match. But although Garcia has not been performing with much consistency, she tends to play well on the big stage, particularly when she is on home turf. If the Frenchwoman can summon a big performance, her combination of power and good touch should see her into the second round.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Hailey Baptiste vs Anna Blinkova
Andrew:
Hailey Baptiste has done a brilliant job in qualifying for this Slam and she has a great chance to take down the Russian here. Clay isn’t Blinkova’s best surface and she is in poor form heading into the tournament. I think Baptiste can take a good scalp here and progress forwards.
Prediction: Baptiste in 2
Steen:
The qualifier Baptiste debuts in the main draw of Roland Garros against Blinkova who has only won one match this season (1-10). Baptiste has a very limited resume but did well in qualifying. Blinkova is playing so poorly that losing to just about any opponent is possible.
Prediction: Baptiste in 3
Jim:
America’s Baptiste had been in rather poor form of late, but she played some fine tennis to come through the qualifying in Paris. Blinkova, meanwhile, has been struggling, losing her last five matches, with injury problems not helping her cause. The Russian will no doubt be short of confidence as a result and Baptiste looks well placed to capitalize.
Prediction: Baptiste in 3
Garbine Muguruza vs Marta Kostyuk
Andrew:
If the Ukrainian was in better form and we could be sure of the Spaniard’s fitness then this would be a top match. However, neither is the case. If Muguruza shows up 90% fit or more then I expect her to win the match.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Steen:
Muguruza is 24-8 on the season and the former champion is one of the top contenders for the title this year. Kostyuk at 9-7 has posted a few good results but the difference in caliber here is still pretty notable.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Jim:
Muguruza has been handed another tough draw at the French Open, where she won her first Grand Slam in 2016. Particularly troubling for the Spaniard is what looks certain to be an extremely testing potential fourth-round encounter with Iga Swiatek. But although Kostyuk has played some fine tennis at points this season, do not expect the Ukrainian to upend Muguruza’s title challenge.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
