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 Leylah Fernandez vs Alycia Parks, Elina Svitolina vs Anna Bondar, Amanda Anisimova vs Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah, 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
Kamilla Rakhimova vs Jaqueline Cristian
Zain:
This has historically been a match-up that Kamilla Rakhimova has enjoyed, using her baseline aggressiveness. But she enters this match on a four-match losing streak and short on confidence. This may play into the hands of Jaqueline Cristian, who, if she manages to be consistent from the baseline and minimise her errors, can come through this match.
Prediction: Cristian in 3
Ilemona:
Rakhimova has been solid this spring but struggles to string wins together against competitive opposition. Cristian is a clay-court regular who is comfortable in this environment and competes well at this level. Her movement and reliability from the baseline should edge a tight match.
Prediction: Cristian in 3
Jordan:
Cristian is capable of dominating against most WTA players outside the Top 20 on clay with her forehand. Rakhimova always tries to frustrate the rhythm of her opponents and be solid. I do not think that will be enough against Cristian.
Prediction: Cristian in 3
Liudmila Samsonova vs Jil Teichmann
Zain:
The question in every match is whether Liudmila Samsonova can keep her winners-to-unforced-errors ratio stable enough to not self-destruct. And while in this match-up, Jil Teichmann’s lefty angles and court craft on a slower court might make things tricky for the Russian, her overall ball quality is just too superior not to win it.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Ilemona:
Samsonova reached the fourth round here last year and comes in ranked 21 in the world. Teichmann’s left-handed game can be tricky on clay, but she has been working her way back from injury setbacks and is not at her peak. Samsonova’s power and consistency from the baseline should be enough to see her through.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Jordan:
Samsonova, by her standards, has performed poorly during the clay-court swing, winning just three matches in five tournaments. That means any player in the draw can have belief that toppling her is possible. Overall, Samsonova’s greater natural talent is backed to be enough, but anything is possible with her right now.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Leolia Jeanjean vs Kaitlin Quevedo
Zain:
Kaitlin Quevedo fought through three consecutive three-set matches in qualifying, using her physicality and willingness to grind out points on clay to reach the main draw. Now against Leolia Jeanjean, who is a willing defender herself, she might have to be more aggressive. Doing that might increase her error count, which, combined with fatigue and the energy Jeanjean will get from a passionate home crowd, tilts things in favour of the Frenchwoman for me.
Prediction: Jeanjean in 3
Ilemona:
Jeanjean has proven she can raise her level in Paris, with the home crowd acting as a genuine extra force. Quevedo is a young American with limited Grand Slam experience, and playing in front of a partisan Parisian crowd will make this even harder for her. Jeanjean’s comfort on these courts should carry her through.
Prediction: Jeanjean in 3
Jordan:
Quevedo battled through each qualifying round in the deciding set. At 20 years old, she will likely not be fatigued during this encounter. Jeanjean is a solid player, but I feel Quevedo’s moment can make the difference.
Prediction: Quevedo in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Emerson Jones
Zain:
Emerson Jones returns to the tour after two months out, and unfortunately for her, she returns to what might arguably be the toughest test in tennis: Iga Swiatek at the French Open. Although Swiatek’s results on clay over the past two years have not been the same domination we once used to see, she is still a top-three player on this surface and, in her favourite conditions, should win this one easily.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Ilemona:
Swiatek reached the Rome semifinals and spoke positively about her preparations heading into Paris, which is encouraging for a four-time champion on her best surface. Jones is a 17-year-old wildcard making her Grand Slam debut, ranked 136 in the world. The experience and quality gap is simply too wide here.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jordan:
Jones is very talented, and has the potential to be successful on all surfaces. Right now, she is nowhere near Swkatek’s level on clay. The four-time French Open champion remains the best on the dirt at her best and should make a good start here.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane USAToday
