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, Coco Gauff vs Rebeka Masarova, Elena Rybakina vs Brenda Fruhvirtova, and Ons Jabeur vs Lucia Bronzetti. Predicting this set of matches are Jack Edward, Jim Smith, and Andreas Pelekis.
French Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Olga Danilovic vs Kateryna Kozlova
Jack:
When you’re seeing the ball as well as Olga Danilovic, there’s very little players can do to stop your inertia. Since losing in Rome qualifying, she’s won 16 sets on the bounce. Kateryna Kozlova’s season has been too sporadic to put a halt to that momentum.
Prediction: Danilovic in 2
Jim:
Danilovic was superb in the qualifying, winning all three matches in straight sets, and if she can maintain that level, she should have the beating of Kozlova. It’s been an indifferent stretch for the Ukrainian, who has been struggling with injuries, and her last match ended in a 3-6 1-6 defeat.
Prediction: Danilovic in 2
Andreas:
A bit of a career resurgence for Danilovic, who qualified for the main draw. Kozlova has been out of the tour for a little while, and hasn’t won a match since Australia. While Kozlova has more Grand Slam experience, the Serb should win this.
Prediction: Danilovic in 3
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Shelby Rogers vs Petra Martic
Jack:
Shelby Rogers rally temperament isn’t her strong suit. At the French Open, her serve can be left a little vulnerable forcing her to play out of her comfort zone. Petra Martin will be happy to play patiently whilst playing with enough zip to stop the American from lining up her biggest shots.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Jim:
One can never be quite sure what to expect of Rogers. Rather characteristically, she reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in 2016, but has never been past the third round in any of her other nine trips to the French capital. Of course, another quarterfinal run isn’t entirely out of the question, but given Rogers’ recent form Martic looks like the likelier winner.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Andreas:
Rogers is always a dangerous player in Grand Slams, reaching the quarterfinals here in 2016. Martic was much higher ranked just a few years ago, yet made a good run in Madrid. I feel that Rogers’ firepower should be too much this time.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Arantxa Rus vs Julia Grabher
Jack:
Julia Grabher has impressed with her clay court prowess recently. The potency of her strikes merit her being among the top 70 in the world. There is a good chance she’ll be able to break down the Arantxa Rus wall, as sturdy as it may be.
Prediction: Grabher in 3
Jim:
Grabher arrives in Paris in good form after reaching the final last time out in Rabat and, provided she has had enough time to recover, this looks like a winnable match for the Austrian. Rus has perhaps lost half a step in recent years and, for a player so reliant on her movement, that does not bode well.
Prediction: Grabher in 3
Andreas:
Rus hasn’t been able to make it past the first round at a Major in her last ten attempts, and has a workable draw here. Grabher has been in her best career form, making her first WTA final in Rabat last week. While the Austrian has a higher peak, it’s too much of a turnaround to win this match.
Prediction: Rus in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Cristina Bucsa
Jack:
Iga Świątek at her favourite event of the season? The world number #1 could only get beaten by somebody who can overpower her. Cristina Bucsa does not fit that player profile. Any time on the ball for Swiatek and Bucsa will be out of the point. No question marks in the first round for the defending champion.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jim:
Swiatek has seen her largely unchallenged dominance of the women’s game come under… well challenge for want of a better word. But the players challenging her have been rather higher up the foodchain than Bucsa. This should be straightforward for the world #1.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Andreas:
Busca has a solid defensive game, but hasn’t gotten any Major wins in her career yet. The last time Swiatek and Bucsa played, the latter only won one game. It should be similar today, as Swiatek looks for her fourth Major.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane USAToday
