We wrap up the men’s and women’s first rounds on Day 3 of the French Open. 20 women will book their places in the second round on Tuesday. But who will those women be? As always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on the matches for you. We split all 20 of the matches between five articles. Our other four articles for Day 3 feature Victoria Azarenka vs Bianca Andreescu, Iga Swiatek vs Cristina Bucsa, Elena Rybakina vs Brenda Fruhvirtova, and Coco Gauff vs Rebeka Masarova. Predicting this set of matches are Jack Edward, Shane Black, and Andreas Pelekis.
French Open Day 3 Predictions
Clara Burel vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Jack:
Clara Burel’s big strikes are weakened on a clay court. Any weaknesses in either wing and Sara Sorribes Tormo will absolutely find them. It’s hard to know how much stock to put in the Spaniard’s grinding abilities at the moment but a final run in Madrid suggests she might be raring to go.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Shane:
Clara Burel and Sara Sorribes Tormo favor clay as their best surface. The inconsistencies in their games are holding them back from the next level, making predicting this match so tough. I give the slight edge to the Spaniard, given her experience in Grand Slam matches.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Andreas:
Burel definitely plays well on the clay, and it’ll help to have the home crowd behind her. Sorribes Tormo was a far better player in 2021 and 2022, and look for the French player to capitalize on this opportunity.
Prediction: Burel in 2
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Oceane Dodin vs Selena Janicijevic
Jack:
Oceane Dodin’s rally temperament might leave her weakened at Roland Garros. Selena Janicijevic seems to know this having defeated her compatriot last week in Strasbourg. Dodin’s quality strikes might win her a set again but I’m backing a repeat result.
Prediction: Janicijevic in 3
Shane:
We have an all-French encounter when Oceane Dodin takes on Selena Janicijevic. Dodin, a former Top 50 player, has the edge in experience. Janicijevic has been in better form this season. This is a match that has three sets written all over it. I’ll give the slight edge to the veteran Frenchwoman.
Prediction: Dodin in 3
Andreas:
This is an interesting matchup featuring two Frenchwomen with similar career paths. Both players haven’t made big breakthroughs on tour yet, although Dodin has a little bit more experience. Janicijevic is yet to win a match at a Major, while Dodin won once here in 2017. Dodin has the game to win big matches, but lacks consistency in big moments. With expectation on her shoulders to win, it could be a long and messy match.
Prediction: Dodin in 3
Laren Davis vs Lin Zhu
Jack:
For someone that’s played since 2009, Lin Zhu has played an appalling number of clay court matches. This isn’t the surface Chinese players grow up playing on—Lauren Davis will test Zhu’s movement on this surface without any let up.
Prediction: Davis in 2
Shane:
Lauren Davis and Lin Zhu should provide the fans with a very entertaining Round 1 matchup. Zhu has played in just one match in the past two months but had an impressive start to the 2023 season. On the other hand, Davis is coming off a run to the semifinals in Strasbourg and has had a solid clay-court season. Although the American has not had much previous success in Paris, I like her current form to lead her to victory in this match.
Prediction: Davis in 3
Andreas:
Zhu was one of the breakout stars in Melbourne, beating Sakkari and nearly making the quarters against Azarenka. She followed up that run winning her first WTA title in Hua Hin, but has completely fallen off since then. It’s expected for a little slump after a good run like that, yet she’ll have to start winning matches soon to keep her ranking up. Davis played well in Strasbourg, and has a crafty defensive game. Picking the American as she’s simply had the better results as of late.
Prediction: Davis in 2
Ons Jabeur vs Lucia Bronzetti
Jack:
It’s tough to know what to make of Ons Jabeur. Her hard-court game was never entirely reliable but, even on clay, she doesn’t feel like an entirely safe bet. Lucia Bronzetti comes into the event with a title in Rabat under her belt—still, it’s difficult to see Bronzetti muscling Jabeur off the court. The Tunisian will likely be given enough time to find a solution.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Shane:
No. 7 seed Ons Jabeur gets a tricky Round 1 draw against Lucia Bronzetti. The 24-year-old Italian won her first WTA title last week in Rabat and is 8-1 in her previous nine clay-court matches. Jabeur has been dealing with the injury bug this season and comes to Paris having not won a match in over a month. I favor Bronzetti’s ability to move Jabeur around the court and frustrate her opponent. I like the Italian’s chances if she can get this match to a third set.
Prediction: Bronzetti in 3
Andreas:
Jabeur comes into the French Open looking to pick up a bunch of ranking points before Wimbledon. This isn’t a great first round for her, as Bronzetti won her first title in Rabat last week. Ultimately, Jabeur should have too much experience.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
