Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka begins her clay court season on day 3 of the WTA Rouen Open. Her match is one of three predicted in this article, with two of these being first-round battles and the other being from the second round. We at LWOT predict all the other matches in Rouen in a separate article, including Sloane Stephens vs Karolina Pliskova. Which players do you think will win in France?
WTA Rouen Day 3 Predictions
Nao Hibino vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Head-to-head: Gabriela-Ruse 1-0 Hibino
Ruse has been the more comfortable of these two players on clay throughout her career. But she has struggled badly with form and injuries so far this year and currently sits outside the Top 100. Hibino does not usually play particularly well on clay, and this could be a scrappy affair. Despite her difficult season so far, Ruse gets a slight edge at the WTA Rouen Open. Hibino has struggled with her movement in her opening matches on clay in the past. That is a fundamental part of the 29-year-old’s game and could prove costly in this encounter.
Prediction: Ruse in 3
Mirra Andreeva vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is the second-round match from the WTA Rouen Open. Avanesyan is a gifted clay court player, although she was far below her best in a narrow win against Fiona Ferro in the previous round. Despite Avanesyan’s undoubted ability, Avanesyan is unlikely to topple Andreeva. The 16-year-old played excellently against Nadia Podoroska in her first match. She thrives most when opponents give her a consistent speed and spin on clay, which Avanesyan will. Andreeva’s accurate groundstrokes should be enough to overcome her compatriot.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Naomi Osaka vs Martina Trevisan
Head-to-head: First meeting
It will be very interesting to observe Osaka during the clay court season. It may surprise some that she has never reached a final on clay or grass, with all her previous success coming on hard courts. This is not an easy draw for her either, with Trevisan making a surprise run to the French Open semifinal in 2022. The Italian will focus on putting many balls in the court and getting her opponent moving as much as possible. Osaka’s power should just about have too much if she finds some of her range, even on a surface she is not as natural on. But do not be surprised if there is an upset in this battle at the WTA Rouen Open.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
