After an entertaining start to the French Open, the excitement is set to continue on day two. There are 24 first-round matches on the schedule and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Linda Fruhvirtova vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Karolina Pliskova vs Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys vs Kaia Kanepi, Caroline Garcia vs Wang Xiyu and Jelena Ostapenko vs Tereza Martincova. But who will reach the second round?
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Petra Kvitova vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Andreas: Clay has traditionally been Kvitova’s weakest surface, yet 2023 has been a big comeback year for the Czech. Kvitova also has what it takes to go deep at the French Open; she made the semifinals three years ago. Back inside the world’s top 10, she should get through against Cocciaretto, a player that excels on clay but lacks big weapons.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Damian: Kvitova is like a box of chocolates, Forrest Gump’s mama once said. You never know what you’re gonna get. With her playing just once match on clay this year, that uncertainty is at its highest here. I still like her upside a lot more than Cocciaretto’s, but we really don’t have the full context in this one.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Yesh: Kvitova isn’t who she once was. After all, it’s been over a decade since she first won Wimbledon. But her level hasn’t dropped off much, and her baseline is still much better than all but maybe 20 players. Cocciaretto isn’t one of them.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
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Peyton Stearns vs Katerina Siniakova
Andreas: Stearns has epitomized the positives of going the US college tennis route, winning the 2022 NCAA D1 Individual Tournament, and leading the University of Texas to a national team title in 2021. Now on the pro tour, she made the quarterfinals of Rabat last week and finds herself in prime position to win her first ever grand slam match. Siniakova hasn’t stepped on court since an injury in March.
Prediction: Stearns in 2
Damian: Stearns was surprisingly good in Rabat last week, despite her lack of red clay pedigree. That probably makes her the favorite over Siniakova, who while undeniably the more experienced player, has been injured in the past few months (again).
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Yesh: Peyton Stearns is going to be a star someday. An NCAA standout, her talent is just unbelievable. But she’s not there on clay yet, and Siniakova isn’t a great opponent to get on track against.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
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Kayla Day vs Kristina Mladenovic
Andreas: A promising American tennis star, Kayla Day won the 2016 Junior US Open but dealt with numerous injuries in past years. Meanwhile, Mladenovic’s downfall has been more so due to a loss of form; the Frenchwoman is now outside the top 150. This could be a close matchup, but the French crowd should just be able to pull Mladenovic through.
Prediction: Mladenovic in 3
Damian: With a 0-6 win/loss record on clay this year, it really doesn’t feel like Mladenovic would be able to hurt many players in this draw. Kayla Day is far from the worst option she could have gotten but after playing through the qualifying, the American looks like a pretty solid favorite in this one.
Prediction: Day in 3
Yesh: Quite recently, Mladenovic looked like she was done on tour. But she’s found some form recently, and her ranking has approached the Top 100. Unfortunately for her, Kayla Day has been on an absolute tear on clay recently. Yes, it’s been at lower levels. But the American is beating just about everyone she faces nowadays––and the matches aren’t close.
Prediction: Day in 2
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Anna Blinkova vs Ysaline Bonaventure
Andreas: Blinkova has been in solid form this clay season, making the finals of the WTA 250 event in Strasbourg. Bonaventure is looking for her first win at Roland Garros, giving her extra motivation for this match. Expect a close one, as both players are similarly ranked.
Prediction: Blinkova in 3
Damian: Blinkova is coming off a final in Strasbourg. Momentum or potential fatigue, which one is more important? Probably the former in this case. She also took out Bonaventure in their only clay-court meeting last year and is generally the better player in slower conditions.
Prediction: Blinkova in 2
Yesh: It’s a long time since Ysalina Bonaventure was an up-and-comer. The talent hasn’t quite disappeared, but it’s never been realized. Blinkova should be a solid favorite here.
Prediction: Blinkova in 2
Main photo credit: Photo/Steve Lanava / USA TODAY NETWORK
