The first round of the French Open concludes on Day 3 as 20 more women’s matches take the grounds of Roland Garros. Among them, No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula, hunting for her first Grand Slam, squares off against Kimberly Birrell. Nurein Ahmed, Zain Mustafa, and Yesh Ginsburg offer their insights. But who will advance?
French Open Women’s Day 3 Predictions
Linda Noskova vs Maria Sakkari
Nurein
Sakkari had a fine win over Lilli Tagger back in Rome, but she’s lost her last two matches and has struggled mentally in tight moments. Noskova is the safer pick here and I think the Czech has shown some grit in closing out tight matches this season.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
Zain
It was five years ago when Maria Sakkari found herself in the semifinals of this tournament, a set away from making the final. But since then, she has won just one of her five matches at the French Open. Against Linda Noskova, a player who likes to hit flat, aggressive shots, Sakkari’s counterpunching may be effective. But I still think Noskova should have enough stretches of dominance from the back of the court to win this match.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
Yesh
This should be a great match. Sakkari can’t seem to find the rhythm and consistency that made her near-elite a few years ago, but it’s always just beneath the surface. Noskova, meanwhile, always feels just a few tweaks away from being the best in the world. This could go either way, but Noskova finds her best more often.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
Donna Vekic vs Alice Tubello
Nurein
Vekic has the experience and firepower advantage by a wide margin in this match against Tubello. And she’s got fond memories competing on the Parisian clay. Expect the Croatian to get off the mark on Tuesday at the French Open.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
Zain
Ranked outside the top 200, the main thing going for Alice Tubello here is that she will be playing in front of a home crowd. But from a match-up perspective, even though Donna Vekic has shown that at this stage her best tennis might be behind her, her baseline game is still solid enough to get a comfortable win here.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
Yesh
Donna Vekic was about to retire before she put it all together at Wimbledon a few years ago. She hasn’t been amazing since then, but she’s been solid more often than she hasn’t. That should be plenty in this matchup.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
Linda Fruhvirtova vs Elsa Jacquemot
Nurein
This should be a close match. Jacquemot has home advantage and had a decent run to the third round last year. But Fruhvirtova came through qualifying and playing some good tennis. Jacquemot has not been in great form in recent weeks. I’ll take the Czech to edge this first round French Open battle.
Prediction: Fruhvirtova in 3
Zain
Linda Fruhvirtova did well to make it out of the qualifying rounds here, as she will now take on local player Elsa Jacquemot, who is expected to have the support of the entire crowd behind her. While Fruhvirtova’s aggression can be helpful on faster courts, on clay, Jacquemot will look to use her defensive strengths and heavy topspin shots to her advantage. If she manages to do that, she should make the second round here.
Prediction: Jacquemot in 3
Yesh
Jacquemot has been horrific this season, winning only two matches all year. Fruhvirtova has had her own struggles in recent years, and her ranking has slipped, but she should be able to beat the reeling Frenchwoman.
Prediction: Fruhvirtova in 3
Jessica Pegula vs Kimberly Birrell
Nurein
Pegula is a reliable competitor in the early rounds of Grand Slam matches and you can expect her to advance her swiftly into the second round. She’s been playing well and won a title this swing in Charleston. No surprises are in store here.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Zain
Kimberly Birrell is an aggressive baseliner who, to win this match, will have to outhit one of the best counterpunchers in the game currently in Jessica Pegula. The American, herself, although not at her best on slower clay, is just too consistent from the baseline to slip up in the first round at the French Open.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Yesh
Jessica Pegula is one of the best and most consistent players in the world. Whether she has the power to win a Grand Slam is an open question, but she’s not losing this early.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
