We wrap up the first round of the French Open on Day 3 on Tuesday. The women will delight tennis fans in Paris and worldwide with 20 matches. As always, we’re here to predict all of them for you. This article looks at four matches, so we have four more articles to go with it. One features Venus Williams vs Ekaterina Alexandrova, the next headlines Coco Gauff vs Aleksandra Krunic, one highlights Karolina Pliskova vs Donna Vekic, and the fourth features Ons Jabeur vs Yulia Putintseva. Predicting this set of matches are Eric Han, Fraser Learmounth, and Jim Smith.
French Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Anett Kontaveit vs Viktorija Golubic
Fraser:
Kontaveit is the better player here by some distance. She is also in good form, particularly on clay. Golubic has shown signs of life in 2021 after falling off her best in recent years. Nonetheless, the Estonian has too many weapons in her arsenal to pick against in this one. Barring one of her unforced error-strewn matches, she should advance relatively comfortable here.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 2
Jim:
There have been too many inconsistent performances from Kontaveit so far this season, something the Estonian will surely be looking to put right at the French Open. She may well need to be at her best from the off, however, with Viktorija Golubic having enjoyed an excellent season. That said, the Swiss’ struggles against the world’s best have been sufficiently pronounced to suggest that she won’t quite pull off the upset here.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 3
Eric:
A potential upset alert here. Golubic won Lyon earlier in the month and reached the semifinal of an ITF event the following tournament. Expect a close battle, as this won’t be a walk in the park for either player, but Golubic could cause an upset here and beat the 30th seed.
Prediction: Golubic in 3
Karolina Muchova vs Andrea Petkovic
Fraser:
This is another match that could be very one-sided. Muchova is one of the in-form women on the tour in 2021 and looks like a future star and Grand Slam contender. By contrast, Petkovic has struggled to return to her best following several injury setbacks. The German is a good player and a fierce competitor who is always a good pick to upset top players. However, Muchova has looked imperious so far in 2021 and should be able to find a way to advance here.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Jim:
There has been little to celebrate for Andrea Petkovic so far on her road back from injury. She has won just a handful of matches during the clay-court swing and none in main draws. Muchova, meanwhile, has been largely confined to the sidelines, but did make the quarterfinals in Madrid. And although she may not be at her sharpest, her powerful forehand and soft hands at the net should see her into the second round.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Eric:
Petkovic has played more clay tournaments this year, but her results have not been impressive. Muchova has only played Stuttgart and Madrid, and reached the quarterfinals at Madrid. A tough match to predict, but perhaps a slight advantage to Muchova because of her better results as of late.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Liang En-shuo vs Fiona Ferro
Fraser:
Ferro is one of the better clay-courters on the women’s tour and has been a more than solid performer in recent months. She has suffered a couple of shock defeats this year, but it is hard to see a player of her talent exiting the French Open as early as this. Ferro also has the added advantage of playing in front of home fans who will undoubtedly be spurring her on. As such, she should find the fight and motivation she needs to advance in the unlikely event her tennis ability isn’t enough to get the job done.
Prediction: Ferro in 2
Jim:
Fiona Ferro’s consistent bad luck with injuries has repeatedly held the Frenchwoman back, despite promising results. But this looks like a winnable match for Ferro, on paper at least, and provided she is fit and firing, expect her to have too much for the inexperienced Taiwanese.
Prediction: Ferro in 2
Eric:
Ferro reached the fourth round here last year out of nowhere; could history repeat itself? The French crowd will be willing her to get through, and she seems to draw energy and inspiration from them. A close match for sure.
Prediction: Ferro in 3
Ashleigh Barty vs Bernarda Pera
Fraser:
This is a tough first round test for Ashleigh Barty. The Aussie has been superb on clay so far this year, but Pera is always dangerous. She is particularly comfortable on clay where her great court coverage and heavy forehand do immense damage when on point. Barty is one of the favourites to win this and deservedly so. As such she should come through this, although it might be a tough test if Pera brings her A game.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Jim:
Barty did not appear to have the makings of a natural clay-courter earlier in her career, but the Australian has shown a rare aptitude for playing on the red dirt. If she is to regain her French Open title after electing not to defend it in 2020, she will likely face some tough tests with a number of players having emerged as possible contenders, not least Iga Swiatek. But Pera is not amongst them. This should be a comfortable start for the world #1.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Eric:
Pera has had decent results on clay this year, but I really do not see the World No.1 being dumped out here in the first round. An unfortunate match-up for Pera at Paris this year.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
