The final WTA tune-up for the French Open kicks off with Day 1 on Sunday in Strasbourg, France. Which women need to find their best form? And who should probably be resting this week? As always, we share our thoughts on the matches. (We apologize; due to an editorial mistake some of the day’s matches were already completed at the time of publishing.) Who do you think will win?
WTA Strasbourg Day 1 Predictions
Editor’s Note: The following two matches were completed at the time of publishing, but written before the match.
Xinyu Wang vs Kaia Kanepi
Xinyu Wang might not have risen as fast as her compatriot Xiyu Wang (or the even faster-rising Qinwen Zheng), but she’s quietly and impressively becoming a very solid player. Kaia Kanepi still has greatness in her, but those teams are fewer and further between. And they only seem to happen on the huge occasions anyway. Trust the young Chinese player in this.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Oceane Dodin vs Selena Janicijevic
Long gone are the days of waiting for Dodin to become a top player. The Frenchwomen pretty clearly won’t quite reach the top of the game. She’s still a pretty solid player, in her home country, and better than her younger compatriot at this stage. That probably won’t be true for long, though.
Prediction: Dodin in 3
Elina Svitolina vs Louisa Chirico
Svitolina (now Elina Monfils on social media but still Svitolina in official WTA publications) has not returned to her pre-pregnancy form at all. Once a world-class elite, she’s now still searching for that level. She won’t get there anytime soon, but she’s still a solid player, and much better than her young American opponent.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Maryna Zanevska vs Jil Teichmann
I’m honestly a little surprised Teichmann is playing this week. She can blow hot or cold, but when her game is on she can beat anyone in the world. The Swiss doesn’t need match fitness or rhythm. She just needs confidence and consistent play. So will she win this one? It’s hard to say, but with the match on her racket it’s also hard to pick against her, even though her recent form hasn’t been great.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
