Day 2 of women’s singles at the French Open will see 24 first-round matches as the world’s best try to advance at the second Major of the year. As always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on every single match. We split the day’s matches between six articles. The other five feature Iga Swiatek vs Emerson Jones, Elina Svitolina vs Anna Bondar, Leylah Fernandez vs Alycia Parks, Elena Rybakina vs Veronika Erjavec, and Jasmine Paolini vs Dayana Yastremska. Predicting these matches are Zain Mustafa, Ilemona Onekutu, and Jordan Reynolds. Who do you think will win?
French Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Jelena Ostapenko vs Ella Seidel
Zain:
A former champion here in Paris, Jelena Ostapenko starts her campaign this year against the aggressive Ella Seidel. And this is a match-up that Ostapenko should enjoy, as she is the bigger power hitter in this one, and even if she has patches of the match where she makes more errors than winners, in a match-up that will come down to outhitting their opponent, Ostapenko should win.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Ilemona:
Ostapenko’s flat, explosive hitting is perfectly designed to damage opponents in the early rounds. Seidel is a young player still establishing herself at tour level, and this is an extremely tough first-round draw for her. When Ostapenko is hitting cleanly there is very little any player at this level can do.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Jordan:
Ostapenko cannot afford any complacency here. Seidel is a crafty player, and has the tools to frustrate the infamously volatile Latvian while she attempts to implement her attacking style. That is not enough for me to predict against the former champion, though.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Daria Kasatkina vs Zeynep Sonmez
Zain:
Daria Kasatkina’s form has taken a big hit over the past 12 months or so, but her counterpunching style can become effective against Zeynep Sonmez, who likes to be aggressive from the back of the court. Still, I think if the Turkish player keeps her margins and does not overattack, she has enough quality from the baseline to inflict the upset here.
Prediction: Sonmez in 3
Ilemona:
Daria Kasatkina uses clever tactics, spin, and movement to outmaneuver opponents on clay. Sonmez brings energy and baseline power but can be vulnerable to variety. Kasatkina’s ability to construct points patiently should serve her well here.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 3
Jordan:
There have been some recent flashes of positivity for Kasatkina after a challenging last 12 months. She won a WTA 125 title and reached the quarterfinal in Strasbourg as a qualifier. Although encouraging, Sonmez has also been playing well during the clay-court swing, and Kasatkina has a tendency to produce her weakest performances at Grand Slams.
Prediction: Sonmez in 3
Maya Joint vs Anastasia Potapova
Zain:
Maya Joint’s season so far has been a disappointment, as entering the year on the back of what was a breakout season, she has struggled for match wins and at times with health. Anastasia Potapova’s aggressive style means she can always get her opponents back into the match by making a bunch of errors, but ultimately, I do not think Joint will have enough success in this match to win two sets.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Ilemona:
Potapova is the more experienced and higher-ranked player, and her consistency at Grand Slam level gives her the edge. Joint is an improving Australian who won a WTA title last year, but this is a step up in class. Potapova’s greater clay-court experience should see her through.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Jordan:
Expect plenty of lengthy rallies between two good athletes and due to Potapova’s gritty style. Joint strikes the ball slightly more cleanly without it being overwhelming. The young Australian has a cool head for her age, and I think she will hold her nerve to edge out a win.
Prediction: Joint in 3
Amanda Anisimova vs Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah
Zain:
Although the crowd is expected to be behind Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah in this one, and Amanda Anisimova is coming back from a wrist issue, the American is just the overall better player here. Expect her to coast through her service games and, when given the opportunity, use her backhand to find enough advantageous patterns on return to win the match.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Ilemona:
Anisimova has been seen with a taped wrist during practice in Paris, which is worth monitoring. Rakotomanga Rajaonah is a French wild card making her Grand Slam debut, and while the injury concern is real, the quality gap should still be decisive. Anisimova’s power game should be enough to get through this.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Jordan:
This will be Anisimova’s first match since the Miami Open, and first of the clay-court season swing. There is a good chance that Anisimova’s chances of challenging for the title have been significantly reduced because of that. However, I still expect her to have more than enough to overcome this test.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
