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 Serena Williams vs Irinia-Camelia Begu, the next headlines Sofia Kenin vs Jelena Ostapenko, 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
Alize Cornet vs Harmony Tan
Nurein:
Harmony Tan had a great run at the Copa Colsanitas in Bogota, and that probably convinced the tournament organizers to give her wild card for Roland Garros. I sense an upset here. Cornet has fared poorly on the red clay, securing just one main draw win in three tournaments.
Prediction: Tan in 3
Steen:
Tan has two semifinals on clay recently. Cornet has far more experience but her results have been middling at best recently. This should be a competitive back and forth match, Cornet should dig deep and win off of experience and grit.
Prediction: Cornet in 3
Jim:
One can never be quite sure what to expect from Cornet. The French veteran is a very fine player on her day, but consistency is not exactly her watchword. Tan, however, has been playing well of late, reaching the semifinals in Saint-Malo. Her fitness is a slight concern after she withdrew in the second round in Strasbourg, but if she is fit, expect her to pick up a big win here.
Prediction: Tan in 3
Alison Van Uytvanck vs Martina Trevisan
Nurein:
Both players have been in dismal form in recent weeks, and perhaps the only consolation is that one of them will return to winning ways. Trevisan had a sensational run at last year’s edition, but she hasn’t won a match this year. A return to Parisian soil should summon the moxie that took her to the quarterfinals last season, but it wouldn’t sueprise me if she fell again.
Prediction: Trevisan in 3
Steen:
Two of the worst players in terms of current form in this draw will match up here. Van Uytvanck is just 2-6 while Trevisan is 1-9 heading into this tournament. It’s hard to predict a winner with both player lacking any forward momentum at the moment, but Van Uytvanck looks like a slight favorite.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 3
Jim:
Trevisan broke new ground with her run to the quarterfinals at the French Open last season, but the Italian has struggled to back that up since. She has not won a match since coming through the qualifying in Dubai and although she will doubtless have fond memories of playing at Roland Garros, it is hard to see her snapping that losing streak.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 3
Madison Brengle vs Maria Camila Osorio Serrano
Nurein:
Maria Camila Osorio Serrano has been a breath of fresh air on the women’s tour. She made waves in her home country when she won the Copa Colsanitas and she looks like she belongs in the upper echelons of the sport. The Colombian barely broke sweat in qualifying to thrust her name in the main draw. I expect a similar outcome here.
Prediction: Osorio Serrano in 2
Steen:
The tour level continues to be a struggle for Brengle, although she’s done well in ITF tournaments. Osorio Serrano is young but capable, 16-7 in 2021 and qualifying was a breeze. The WTA Bogota champion should win her Grand Slam main draw debut on her best surface.
Prediction: Osorio Serrano in 2
Jim:
This looks like a winnable match for Osorio Serrano, who has played some very good clay-court tennis this season. Brengle, in contrast, has never really found her feet on the surface. Expect the Colombian to have the edge here.
Prediction: Osorio Serrano in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Kaja Juvan
Nurein:
Swiatek is the favorite to win the whole tournament and should have few obstacles in this match. Juvan is a massive talent, but is just not cut from the same cloth as the Pole.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Steen:
Swiatek beat Juvan at the start of the year (3 sets on hard courts), and won Rome heading into this tournament, which is a great prep run for the defending champion. Juvan isn’t a bad player, she’s just not at Swiatek’s level right now, especially on clay.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jim:
Swiatek has earned her status as the pre-tournament favourite, now she must find a way to live up to it. But even if she is not at her best up against Juvan, this should be a straightforward start to her title defence in the French capital.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
