Expect plenty of entertaining action on day two at the French Open with 24 first-round matches on the schedule in Paris. As ever, 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, Caroline Garcia vs Wang Xiyu and Linda Fruhvirtova vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. But who will reach the second round?
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Jelena Ostapenko vs Tereza Martincova
Yesh: Ostapenko is a former champion, but she’s never been consistent since her 2017 triumph. She looks pretty good in the lead-up to the French Open this year, but it’s always difficult to really trust her.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Jack: As is the case with most Jelena Ostapenko matches, the result of this will depend on the Latvian’s consistency. The peaks have generally outweighed the troughs lately so, even if she takes a set to warm into things, I trust her to assert her game against Tereza Martincova.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Jakub: I see Ostapenko as a potential dark horse in the bottom half, the former Roland Garros champion coming in with a Rome semifinal under her belt. Martincova is one of the better draws, losing her last three WTA main draw matches on clay without winning a set. The Czech won their previous meeting in Birmingham 2021 but it doesn’t shake my Ostapenko confidence.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
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Rebecca Marino vs Diana Shnaider
Yesh: Diana Shnaider was competing at the NCAA Championships last week. She actually did really well, but the quick transition across continents and no recent clay match play is not a good formula for French Open success.
Prediction: Marino in 2
Jack: Diana Shnaider took out Veronika Kudermetova earlier this season. She can certainly play on this surface whilst Rebecca Marino struggles to get her footing without her serve doing plenty of damage. Shnaider should be able to take control of this one.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2
Jakub: Marino is looking for her first main draw win at Roland Garros since 2011, when her upcoming opponent Diana Shnaider had just turned seven years old. Neither comes in with much red clay pedigree, Shnaider showcasing some strong play in Melbourne and Charleston against Top 15 opposition but very inconsistent overall. Marino’s experience should help her pull through but Shnaider is definitely able to win it.
Prediction: Marino in 3
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Nao Hibino vs Anna-Lena Friedsam
Yesh: Both of these players are solid but not superlative. Friedsam has looked better over the last few weeks, so I guess she’s the pick here.
Prediction: Friedsam in 3
Jack: The conditions are slower than usual this year. This should suit Neo Hibino who will be able to get most of Anna-Lena Friedsam’s shots back into play. Friedsam has shown plenty of promise the last few months, however, and should be able to construct enough of the big points to pip the win here.
Prediction: Friedsam in 3
Jakub: After losing from a set up against Ylena In-Albon in the final qualifying round, Hibino comes in as a lucky loser. The 28-year-old won her last two main draw matches in Paris, only losing to Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina. Friedsam pushed Paula Badosa all the way in Rome and double bageled Zhang Shuai in Strasbourg last year. This should be a pretty even match-up but I will lean the German’s way.
Prediction: Friedsam in 3
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Elizabeth Mandlik vs Simona Waltert
Yesh: Elizabeth Mandlik looks like the next Danielle Collins. Of course, it took Collins a while to make the jump to the elites, and Mandlik is nowhere near there yet. This could be a chance at a start, though.
Prediction: Mandlik in 3
Jack: Elizabeth Mandlik hadn’t inspired a ton of confidence in her clay court abilities—that changed after a fantastic run to the final the WTA 125 event in Reus, defeating Paolini, Parrizas Diaz and Yastremska back-to-back. She clearly possesses a phenomenal amount of firepower that should give her the opportunity to win against fellow qualifier Simona Waltert.
Prediction: Mandlik in 3
Jakub: Two qualifiers facing off here with Mandlik winning their only previous match at a hard-court ITF last year. Both had to battle to qualify in three sets but Mandlik’s superior form coming in, reaching her first WTA 125 final in Reus, makes her the favorite for me.
Prediction: Mandlik in 2
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
