The first day of the French Open saw plenty of upsets, and Day 2 definitely has potential for more of the same. As always, we’re here to predict all of the matches for you. We’re splitting the day’s 24 matches between six articles. In addition to this article, our others feature Amanda Anisimova vs Naomi Osaka, Oceane Dodin vs Andrea Petkovic, Victoria Azarenka vs Ana Bogdan, Bianca Andreescu vs Ysaline Bonaventure, and Angelique Kerber vs Magdalena Frech. Predicting these matches are Jim Smith, Yesh Ginsburg, and Andy Watson. Who do you think will win?
French Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Valentina Grammatikopoulou vs Daria Saville
Jim:
There has been little to celebrate for Daria Saville on the singles court of late, though she has played some fine tennis in doubles. With Valentina Grammatikopoulou having looked sharp in the qualifying, the Greek looks well-placed to continue her campaign at Roland Garros at Saville’s expense.
Prediction: Grammatikopoulou in 3
Yesh:
Saville has seen a bit of a surge this year, and that should be enough against a Greek opponent who looked decent but not amazing in qualifiers.
Prediction: Saville in 2
Andy:
The Greek has done well to get through qualifying and will threaten Saville here. The Aussie is not in good form but hasn’t played a match against a player ranked as low as Grammatikopoulou for a while. Saville just just about have the class to prevail.
Prediction: Saville in 3
Alison Riske vs Dayana Yastremska
Jim:
This has the makings of an entertaining first-round battle. Neither player has been at their best lately, but both have real quality when they are on song. It is Dayana Yastremska who looks more at home on the clay, however. She is also likely to have the support of the majority of the crowd. Expect her to have the edge here.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Yesh:
Yastremska was a rising star but hasn’t been the same since returning from an overturned doping ban. Riske, meanwhile, is an improving player on all surfaces who has become very solid in the last few years.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Andy:
Two players with big games here and if Yastremska can use a bit more topspin in her grounstrokes then she has the natural power to have the match on her racket. Riske is not a clay court player and she will be desperate to get on the grass as soon as possible. I see the Ukranian winning through here.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Linda Noskova vs Emma Raducanu
Jim:
t will be interesting to see how Emma Raducanu performs on her French Open debut. The Briton has clearly struggled to adjust to the realities of life as a Grand Slam champion, but she has shown flashes of the tennis that took her to the US Open title last season. A repeat of that stunning run is surely out of the question this fortnight, but she should still have the beating of the Czech qualifier Lina Noskova.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Yesh:
Raducanu hasn’t yet shown any real affinity for clay, but she always brings her absolute best for the Majors. She has an easy enough draw here that this match shouldn’t be a problem.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Andy:
It will feel a little bit like playing against the mirror when Raducanu faces Noskova across the court. The young Czech has qualified impressively and, as a teenager, she is starting to get people talking. Noskova is at her highest ranking and has won eight in a row in France, but Raducanu has made a decent start on the clay on tour so you still have to favor the US Open champion.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Lesia Tsurenko
Jim:
As first-round draws go, this is a fairly tough one for Iga Swiatek. Lesia Tsurenko has a wealth of experience and impressed in coming through the qualifying with wins over Emiliano Arango, Sara Errani and Yuki Naito, dropping just one set in the process. But it is still hard to imagine Swiatek encountering too many problems.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Yesh:
Swiatek is a prohibitive favorite to win this tournament now, especially with Ons Jabeur falling at the first hurdle. Pressure might get to the Pole, but it won’t be for a while.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Andy:
Impossible to go against the world #1 here but even then Tsurenko is past the peak of her powers anyway. I would be on bagel and breadstick alert here.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
