Group 3 of the 2025 French Open Day 1 showcases an exciting mix of veterans and up-and-comers as action heats up in Paris. Elina Svitolina meets Zeynep Sönmez in a test of experience versus hunger, while Jasmine Paolini battles China’s Yuan Yue. We have predictions for all of the first round matches in Paris.
Zeynep Sönmez vs Elina Svitolina
Steen Kirby: Sonmez will be hoping for an upset on day 1 of the tournament, at a career high ranking, the 23 year old Turk plays the biggest match of her career. Svitolina is a red hot 25-8 on the season and excellent on clay. A former quarterfinalist, Svitolina is eyeing a drop run in this tournament, I don’t see her stumbling out of the gate. Svitolina in 2
Jordan Reynolds: Sonmez is a fighter who tries to attack when she gets the right ball in the rallies. But her game is simply not as formidable as Svitolina’s, and I struggle to see any strategy she can use effectively in this matchup. The Ukrainian to win easily. Svitolina in 2
Peyton Stearns vs Eva Lys
Steen: A semifinalist in Rome, Peyton Stearns is 14-12 on the season and also lifted a WTA title on clay this spring. Lys at 8-9 on the season is respectable, but it would take one of the best performances of her career to upset Stearns in round 1. The momentum is on the side of Stearns. Stearns in 2
Jordan: This could be one of the most entertaining opening round matches. Lys struggles for consistency, but her athleticism and shot making make her contests enjoyable. Unfortunately for the German, overcoming the recent Italian Open semifinalist Stearns is probably a step too far even if she plays her best tennis. Stearns in 2
Iva Jovic vs Renata Zarazúa
Steen: 17 year old wild card Iva Jovic was solid on the USTA spring clay court circuit to reach this stage, Zarazua has a h2h win and is the pride of Mexico. She’s just 3-10 at tour level this season though and the vulnerabilities are clear. Jovic is not well known, but a top 100 ranking is in sight if she pulls off this upset. Jovic in 3
Jordan: Jovic is a raw talent. Her best level would be good enough to defeat the solid but unspectacular Zarazua. I will back the young American to find enough quality groundstrokes, although that is not predicted with much confidence. Jovic in 3
Jasmine Paolini vs Yue Yuan
Steen: 22-8 on the season and a champion in Rome, last years finalist Paolini is in form at the perfect time. Yuan is just 2-8 at tour level this year and Paolini leads the h2h. This should be one way traffic in the opening round if Paolini is tuned in. Paolini in 2
Jordan: I do not foresee any issues for last year’s runner-up in this matchup. Yuan plays her best tennis by far on hard courts. Paolini does not need to be perfect to reach the next round at Roland Garros. Paolini in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
