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 Ons Jabeur vs Saschia Vickery, Iga Swiatek vs Leolia Jeanjean, Danielle Collins vs Caroline Dolehide, Elina Svitolina vs Karolina Pliskova, and Maria Sakkari vs Varvara Gracheva. Predicting these matches are Jim Smith, Jordan Reynolds, and Nurein Ahmed.
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Jim:
Beatriz Haddad Maia hasn’t kicked in as she doubtless would have hoped to after her breakout season in 2022, but she still has time on her side and has maintained a Top 20 ranking. That is partly because she has consistently beaten opponents like Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Jordan:
Last year’s semifinalist will have to contend with an opponent who is also adept at playing long rallies. The advantage the Brazilian has in this matchup is her heavy topspin forehand into Cocciaretto’s weaker backhand. Using that play enough will help her progress in Paris.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Nurein:
This is a tough one for last year’s semifinalist, Haddad Maia. Cocciaretto upset Petra Kvitova in the first round at the 2023 French Open, a player who is not too dissimilar to the Brazilian in terms of playing style. But unlike the Czech, Haddad Maia loves clay and should overpower the Italian.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Anna Kalinskaya vs Clara Burel
Jim:
This is a potentially tough first-round draw for Anna Kalinskaya. Clara Burel will give it her all and will no doubt have the backing of the French crowd. She will also surely be feeling confident after upsetting Elina Svitolina last week in Strasbourg. Mark this one down as a possible upset.
Prediction: Burel in 3
Jordan:
There is a clash of styles between the big-hitting Kalinskaya and the Frenchwoman, who relies more on consistency. Kalinskaya has not managed to recapture the form she showed to reach the Dubai final in February. On the slow Paris clay courts and with a home crowd to help her, Burel has a good chance of outlasting Kalinskaya.
Prediction: Burel in 3
Nurein:
I think this match smells of an upset. Kalinskaya is enjoying a career-best season, but she’s not been at the races on clay, losing in four of her six matches. Burel, cheered by the noisy home crowd, should be a slight favorite to ease into the second round.
Prediction: Burel in 2
Liudmila Samsonova vs Magda Linette
Jim:
This should present an entertaining clash of styles, with Liudmila Samsonova at her best when playing aggressively on the front foot and Magda Linette one of the better movers on the WTA Tour. But Samsonova is the seeded player for a reason. The world #17 should have enough to get past Linette without encountering too many problems.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Jordan:
Samsonova finally found some form in Strasbourg after a difficult season. Linette has had a strong clay-court season, including being the runner-up in Rouen. This could be tight but it is still tough to trust Samsonova’s consistency right now.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Nurein:
If you told me to pick this before Strasbourg, then Linette would get my vote. But after the last WTA 500 event before the French Open, I am changing my mind. Samsonova steered her season back on track this past week, reaching the semifinal with some high-quality wins. The Russian comes in with momentum and tends to be streaky in that regard.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Coco Gauff vs Julia Avdeeva
Jim:
Coco Gauff adapted expertly to the clay early in her career and whilst she was beaten in her only French Open final to date, it would be a surprise were she not to mount another challenge for the title this year. Julia Avdeeva played some good tennis to come through the qualifying, but this is an entirely different sort of challenge.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Jordan:
The US Open champion has been good at avoiding upsets in opening rounds this year, which has only happened on one occasion. It is tough to see how Avdeeva can trouble Gauff enough. No part of her game is better than the American’s.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Nurein:
Gauff is one of the contenders for the title, and she appeared to have put something together in Rome, reaching the semifinal in singles and the final in doubles. Avdeeva is not a player who is fond of this stage in the draw, and the gulf in quality will be on display.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
