There should be plenty of entertaining tennis on the second day at the 2023 edition of the French Open. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Petra Kvitova vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Karolina Pliskova vs Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys vs Kaia Kanepi, Linda Fruhvirtova vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Jelena Ostapenko vs Tereza Martincova. But who will reach the round of 64?
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Caroline Garcia vs Wang Xiyu
Yesh: Caroline Garcia hasn’t quite found her summer 2022 heights since this year started, but there’s no place like home. This draw is somewhat favorable for her.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Jack: This is not a kind first round for Caroline Garcia. The Frenchwoman’s form had been pretty spotty on her lesser-preferred surface anyway but she’s up against Xiyu Wang, a lefty that’s been playing an underrated level in the WTA 1000s over the course of the last month. Garcia hasn’t reached the quarterfinals here since 2017—with her confidence as low as it is, this could be dangerous.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Jakub: Garcia has not made it past the second round in her last two appearances here and failed to win two matches in a row on clay this year, going 3-3. Wang made the third round in Madrid and fourth round in Rome, a solid test for the fifth seed to start. I think Garcia will get through this one but Wang certainly won’t make it easy.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
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Caty McNally vs Ana Bogdan
Yesh: Caty McNally is a puzzling player. She skipped college and always looks on the edge of breaking through with huge results. The same will be true here. The match will be on McNally’s racket, but will she be able to take it?
Prediction: Bogdan in 3
Jack: A ranking of #54 in the world sounds about right for Caty McNally whose taken out plenty of quality players over the past few months on clay. Ana Bogdan will be hitting with her own steady brand of power but it feels as though the American is playing with a touch more quality.
Prediction: McNally in 2
Jakub: Bogdan did not impress in the clay lead-ups, going 3-3 while McNally is coming off of a final run at WTA Paris, though she withdrew. There are question marks around the American’s fitness here but if she can bring that level, she is the favorite.
Prediction: McNally in 2
Donna Vekic vs Dayana Yastremska
Yesh: This is quite a match for an opening round. Yastremska hasn’t quite been the same since her provisional doping suspension, while Vekic has been on the edge of both elite and mediocre for years now. I trust Vekic to get closer to elite soon, though.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Jack: Neither Donna Vekic nor Dayana Yastremska love playing on slow clay—it’s Yastremska’s all-or-nothing game style that gets affected the most by the conditions, however. The outstanding quality Vekic has showcased this year suggests her own brand of tennis will be enough to edge ahead in most of the baseline rallies.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Jakub: Vekic had a solid showing on her worst surface with a fourth round in Rome. Yastremska managed to qualify after three-set battles against Sachia Vickery and Greet Minnen. The Ukrainian has momentum and beat Vekic in two of their three completed previous meetings, Vekic’s win coming on grass.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
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Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Viktoriya Tomova
Yesh: Alexandrova hasn’t been at her best recently, but she’s been playing elite competition. Tomova has been succeeding at lower levels, but that’s not great preparation for a Major.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Jack: Ekaterina Alexandrova should be considered vulnerable in these conditions. Her great serve and flat strikes work wonders in the altitude of Madrid but not so much when the pace of play gets sludgy. Viktoriya Tomova probably doesn’t quite have the level to boss the rallies, however.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Jakub: Alexandrova has never made it past the third round here but she also hasn’t lost her opener since 2018. Since Tomova’s ITF 80 title in Zaragoza from mid-April, the Bulgarian is 4-4 (two of her losses coming against Lauren Davis). The match will be on Alexandrova’s racket and I believe she will deliver.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
