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, rising Canadian Victoria Mboko gets her campaign underway against Nikola Bartunkova. Nurein Ahmed, Zain Mustafa, and Yesh Ginsburg offer their insights. But who will advance?
French Open Women’s Day 3 Predictions
Anna Kalinskaya vs Lois Boisson
Nurein
Boisson’s ranking will take a massive hit if she doesn’t defend semifinal points from last year. She hasn’t played a ton matches because of persistent injury problems and she’s been searching for rhythm. This is a tough opener for the Frenchwoman. Kalinskaya is a clean hitter and rarely donates free points from the baseline.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Zain
Lois Boisson’s run to the semifinals here was one of the standout moments of the tournament. But unfortunately for her, she has been plagued by physical issues since. And although her baseline game can be tricky on clay, she just has not played enough matches recently for me to give her the nod against the big-serving and aggressive Anna Kalinskaya.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Yesh
It’s now been a year since Boisson’s stunning breakthrough at the 2025 French Open, and she hasn’t really done much to sustain that since then. Her ranking is almost entirely propped up by those semifinalist points, which basically means that she’s barely been a Top 150 player in the last year. It’s hard to imagine her repeating the fairy tale.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs Alina Korneeva
Nurein
Korneeva is highly talented and dangerous from the baseline, but I still think Grand Slam matches against seasoned pros at this stage look like a huge step up. Cocciaretto absorbs pace well and I expect her to force the teenager into difficult physical exchanges over two sets.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 2
Zain
Youngster Alina Korneeva showed a high level during the qualifying round, dropping just one set to make the main draw. But against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who is known for her baseline game and high intensity, it is likely that the Russian’s run comes to an end in Round 1 at the French Open, in what should still be a competitive match.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 3
Yesh
Korneeva did pretty well in qualifying here, but this is a big step up in competition level. Cocciaretto is comfortable on the clay and should be able to construct points at will in this matchup
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 2
Claire Liu vs Moyuka Uchijima
Nurein
Uchijima is winless in her last four matches since lifting the title in Saint-Malo. Liu, meanwhile, had a strong qualifying run where she totally dominated her opponents. The American has looked in exceptional form and should be favored to progress at the French Open.
Prediction: Liu in 2
Zain
With her forehand, Claire Liu is capable of causing damage on a clay court, especially after dominating the qualifying round. Moyuka Uchijima, on the other hand, is another player who relies heavily on her forehand, dictating play with it from the baseline. Ultimately, on a clay court, I think Uchijima is the more comfortable mover, and that should tip this match in her favour for me.
Prediction: Uchijima in 3
Yesh
Claire Liu is, without question, in the best form of her career this week. She dropped a total of six games across three qualifying matches. And it was against good competition, too. Stunning performances that should prelude a deep run here.
Prediction: Liu in 2
Victoria Mboko vs Nikola Bartunkova
Nurein
Mboko enters this tournament with strong form after reaching the Strasbourg final. She is an all-surface player, so I would expect her to hit the ground running in Paris.
Prediction: Mboko in 2
Zain
Nikola Bartunkova is another exciting prospect out of the Czech Republic, with her aggressive and creative brand of tennis. Against Victoria Mboko, who is one of the best defenders on tour right now, her only chance will be to out-hit her opponent. And while that might happen for a game or two, it is quite unlikely that on clay, Mboko does not have all the answers to the questions asked by Bartunkova.
Prediction: Mboko in 3
Yesh
Mboko has been one of the most amazing breakout stars in recent years, though she hasn’t quite repeated that stunning Canadian Open run from last summer. She’s still learning a lot about playing elite tennis consistently, but she should have more than enough for this match.
Prediction: Mboko in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – Imagn Images
