The French Open is back for another installment. Last year, Iga Swiatek defeated Jasmine Paolini to claim the title. Swiatek has not been at her best this year, and the field seems as wide open as it gets. Here are my best bets for the opening round action. Let me know if you agree in the comment section.
WTA French Open
Danilovic – Fernandez: Time 16:30
H2H: 0-1
Olga Danilovic and Leylah Fernandez only had one previous meeting, and it took place in a 2020 exhibition. Fernandez won the back-and-forth affair that not only went all three sets, but every set was 6-4 or 7-5. While Fernandez is the higher-ranked player on the world stage, she hasn’t had a great 2025. Fernandez is 12-12, and most of her wins have come on hardcourt. Danilovic is not only 15-8, but she’s also 7-3 in her last ten matches. Fernandez is 3-7 in the same ten matches. Danilovic is also a clay specialist at 147-62 for her career. Fernandez is 51-44.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Danilovic as a favorite, and I agree. Not only is she playing much, much better in 2025, but she’s also playing well entering the WTA French Open. Her last four tournaments have all been on clay, and she reached the final in two of them, including an incredible two-set match against Elina Svitolina in Rouen. Danilovic hasn’t had much success in her last two tournaments, but she’s 11-3 on clay this year, and Fernandez is nowhere near her best form.
That being said, Danilovic winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Danilovic winning @1.75 @Betfair
Townsend – Cocciaretto: Time 11:00
H2H: 0-0
Taylor Townsend and Elisabetta Cocciaretto make for an interesting match at the WTA French Open. While the two have never met before, it was only a matter of time before the two clay artisans faced off. Townsend has a 117-49 career record on clay. Coccioretto is 133-70 all-time. Coccioretto hasn’t been playing her best tennis lately, and she’s 4-6 in her last ten matches as a result. Townsend is 7-3 lately, but she didn’t win her first match until March 4th at Indian Wells. It’s really just been these last two tournaments that Townsend has found success.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Townsend as a favorite, but I’m not sure I agree. If you took out the Miami tournament, Townsend only has three wins on the year. Townsend has also never made it out of the first round at Roland-Garros. Coccioretto made the round of 16 just last year, so she knows how to win in France. You can make money betting on either lady, but the experience Coccioretto has gives me less pause than the fact that Townsend was winless before early March.
That being said, Coccioretto winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Coccioretto winning @2.12 @Pinnacle
Jovic – Zarazua: Time 15:00
H2H: 0-1
Iva Jovic and Renata Zarazua have met once before, and it was at the 2024 Tyler Pro Challenge Final. Zarazua took that meeting in straight sets. Jovic has had a tremendous 2025, but her success has all come at the ITF level. Her best finish at the WTA level is a round of 16 finish in Bogota. Zarazua is 14-17 in 2025, and her best finish is a quarterfinal appearance in Strasbourg earlier this month. Zarazua has 225 wins on clay to only 130 losses, while Jovic is 16-5 for her career on clay.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Jovic in this match, but I do not agree. Her success has clearly come when the competition isn’t as stiff. Not to knock on the ITF, but this is one of the most prestigious tournaments in all of tennis. Roland-Garros is going to bring out the best in everyone, and she should expect no less from Zarazua. Jovic easily has the skillset to beat Zarazua, and you can make money off her should you choose to go that route as a bettor, but Zarazua has been doing this for a long time and is very skilled on clay. Jovic isn’t even that large of a favorite for the bookies.
That being said, Zarazua winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Zarazua winning @2.05 @Betway
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
