Paris Olympics Day 1 Women’s Predictions Including Naomi Osaka vs Angelique Kerber

We are all set for tennis at the Paris Olympics as draw heats up fast, with 18 Women’s Singles matches on Day 1. As always, we here at LWOT will predict every match for you. We split the 18 women’s matches between five articles. In addition to this one, the other four feature Iga Swiatek vs Irina-Camelia Begu, Danielle Collins vs Laura Siegemund, Bianca Andreescu vs Clara Tauson, and Karolina Muchova vs Leylah Fernandez. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Andreas Pelekis, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will keep their medal hopes alive?

As a special for the Olympics, we will also be predicting all of the other Day 1 matches, including doubles. We will link to our other Olympic predictions at the bottom of the article. Enjoy!

Paris Olympics Day 1 Women’s Predictions

Elisabetta Cocciaretto (Italy) vs Diana Shnaider (Neutral)

Jordan:
These two have produced impressive tennis on clay this year. Shnaider has also enjoyed a breakthrough season and I make her a slight favorite here, despite Cocciaretto beating her twice in 2024. The Italian has not played in over a month after suffering an illness and that lack of match practice could prove crucial against Shnaider, who won the title in Budapest heading into the Olympics.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2

Andreas:
Shnaider is on a tear as of late, claiming three titles this season and most recently winning a trophy on clay courts. Cociareeto, while able to play offensive tennis and overpower opponents, likely won’t have enough on the court to win in an upset.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2

Yesh:
Shnaider is playing some of the best tennis of her career right now. And while Cocciaretto is a more natural mover on the clay, I think the Russian is just better enough that it won’t matter.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2

Beatriz Haddad Maia (Brazil) vs Varvara Gracheva (France)

Jordan:
Gracheva’s best moment so far this year came at Roland-Garros when she reached the fourth round of the French Open. The rest of her season hasn’t been great, but she could become inspired again in front of her home fans. However, her inconsistency means it is hard to trust the Frenchwoman enough to back her against Haddad Maia, who is far more steady in her matches.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3

Andreas:
Gracheva will likely feel some pressure now representing France, but she made the fourth round of the French Open two months ago. Haddad Maia may be the slight favorite to win this in the end, but consistency will be the biggest key for the Brazilian.
Prediction: Haadad Maia in 3

Yesh:
Haddad Maia is tough to understand. She can seem unbeatable at her best, and sometimes she’s just a no-show. Against a partisan crowd in Paris, I’d be worried about a no-show.
Prediction: Gracheva in 2

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Naomi Osaka (Japan) vs Angelique Kerber (Germany)

Jordan:
This has the potential to be a frustrating ending to Kerber’s career. Osaka, even on clay, has the potential to take the racket out of her hand if she finds her range. The German deserves to go out on a high after everything she has given to tennis. Hopefully, it is a high-quality match, regardless of who is the winner.
Prediction: Osaka in 2

Andreas:
Arguably the biggest match of the women’s first-round matches, this could be the last match of Kerber’s career. Neither players their best tennis on clay, but Osaka’s big serve may prove to be the difference in the end. Expecting a good match, with Osaka claiming the big points in the later stages of two sets.
Prediction: Osaka in 2

Yesh:
It would be very sad for Kerber’s career to end in the first round, but that seems like what we’re looking at. Clay isn’t Osaka’s best surface, but she looked solid enough at the French Open two months ago, and that’s probably all it takes to beat Kerber.
Prediction: Osaka in 2