The first round of the French Open women’s singles continues on Monday, Day 2 of the event. There are 24 matches scheduled for the day, and–as always–we here at LastWordOnTennis will share our thoughts on all of them. We split the day’s matches between six articles. In addition to this article, our other five feature Coco Gauff vs Julia Adveeda, Iga Swiatek vs Leolia Jeanjean, Ons Jabeur vs Saschia Vickery, Elina Svitolina vs Karolina Pliskova, and Maria Sakkari vs Varvara Gracheva. Predicting these matches are Jim Smith, Jordan Reynolds, and Glenys Furness.
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Panna Udvardy vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Jim:
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova looks like a long shot to reach a second French Open final this fortnight, but the Russian is still a good enough player to do some damage in Paris. Including to Panna Udvardy’s ambitions of reaching the second round.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Jordan:
2021 runner-up Pavlyuchenkova hasn’t found her best level on the dirt so far this year. However, this is a good opening match for her to find some form. Udvardy is a wild card in Paris and does not possess enough in her game to trouble Pavlyuchenkova.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Glenys:
Udvardy fought through qualifying to make this stage. Pavlyuchenkova’s build up to the Grand Slam has not been the best. The #20 seed needs to find some clay form to get through the next round. The match will be a good one and the qualifier could upset the seed.
Prediction: Payluchenkova in 3
Viktoriya Tomova vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Jim:
Ekaterina Alexandrova has to be accounted the favourite in this match. The Russian’s power from the back of the court doesn’t tend to trouble the very best, but it should give her enough to hit through Viktoria Tomova.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Jordan:
Clay is not Alexandrova’s most natural surface. However, she is still one of the best at denying her opponent’s rhythm. That will probably be fatal to Tomova’s chances, who is at her best when the rallies are consistent.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Glenys:
Tomova is coming off the back of a semifinal in Morocco. The Bulgarian lost a very tight match in three sets before heading to Paris. Alexandrova has lost early in her last three tournaments, which won’t give her confidence.
Prediction: Tomova in 3
Rebeka Masarava vs Marketa Vondrousova
Jim:
Marketa Vondrousova’s breakout run to the French Open final feels quite a long time ago now, but the Czech has re-established herself as a leading figure in the women’s game after winning her first Grand Slam title last season at Wimbledon. She should win this match comfortably.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Jordan:
This could be a tricky opening round for the Wimbledon champion. Masarova’s game is well suited to dealing with Vondrousova’s variety. The Czech’s craftiness is a slight favorite overall but an upset here would not be a major shock.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Glenys:
Masarava made the semifinal in an ITF event in Spain and failed to qualify for Luxembourg. Vondrousova made the quarterfinal in Luxembourg and is the fifth seed here at Roland Garros. The Czech wont have any difficulty overcoming Masarava. They played once before and Vondrousova dominated the match.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Danielle Collins vs Caroline Dolehide
Jim:
Danielle Collins has found a very rich vein of form recently, although she does come into this match having been beaten 1-6 2-6 last time out in the final in Strasbourg. But whilst that defeat at her compatriot Madison Keys’ hands may have dented her confidence a little, she should be beating of Caroline Dolehide.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Jordan:
Collins finally played a loose match in the Strasbourg final against Madison Keys. She has still won 22 of her last 25 matches in total and is much more comfortable on the dirt than Dolehide. Collins is likely to overwhelm her compatriot with her power from the baseline.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Glenys:
Collins is way ahead in ranking and the head to head. The American is three up on her compatriot and will once again have little trouble in outplaying Dolehide.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
