The French Open splits up the first round over three days, and we’ll get 24 women’s matches on Day 2 on Monday. As always, we’re here at LWOT to predict every one of the for you. Three writers will share their thoughts on each match. We look at four matches in this article, plus five more articles. One features Iga Swiatek vs Kaja Juvan, the next headlines Sofia Kenin vs Jelena Ostapenko, the third highlights Garbine Muguruza vs Marta Kostyuk, the fourth features Bianca Andreescu vs Tamara Zidansek, and the final one highlights Serena Williams vs Irinia-Camelia Begu. Predicting this match are Andrew Watson, Jim Smith, and Steen Kirby.
French Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Daria Kasatkina vs Misaki Doi
Yesh:
It’s impossible to confidently say how a Kasatkina match will go. When her game is on, she can beat anyone in the world. When she’s struggling, she can lose to players well outside the Top 100. On clay, she should be expected to beat Misaki Doi. But if Kasatkina is off, she can definitely lose this match.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Steen:
Kastakina is 19-9 on the year and is a former Roland Garros quarterfinalist. Doi lacks the same credentials and is on a bit of a cold streak.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Jim:
Kasatkina’s recent results have been relatively disappointing, but the Russian is at least moving in broadly the right direction again. It would be a surprise were she to match her best result at the French Open by making it as far as the last eight, but the round of 32 seems a reasonable and achievable target for the 24-year-old. One that Doi is unlikely to prevent her reaching.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Kaia Kanepi vs Marketa Vondrousova
Yesh:
Neither player looks great right now, but Vondrousova has far more pressure on her to succeed. Ultimately she hasn’t withstood pressure well these last two years. When push comes to shove, as long as Kanepi keeps this match close–which she definitely can–Vondrousova will tighten up and this match could go either way.
Prediction: Kanepi in 3
Steen:
The veteran former quarterfinalist Kanepi is 9-7 on the season. Vondrousova is a former finalist, though, with a 10-9 record. This match should be competitive but I’ll defer to Vondrousova’s success at Roland Garros.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Jim:
Vondrousova’s thrilling run to the French Open final in 2019 sometimes feels like it happened longer than two years ago–such have been the Czech’s struggles since. She arrives in Paris this year in wretched form, having lost her last three matches, all in straight sets. Kanepi has been struggling too, however, and she does not have the same solid base to fall back on.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Arantxa Rus vs Mihaela Buzarnescu
Yesh:
Buzarnescu is one of the best return from injury stories in tennis. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been able to stay healthy in her return to tour. Right now, her health isn’t great and her form isn’t either. Still, it just feels wrong to pick against her in this matchup.
Prediction: Buzarnescu in 2
Steen:
Buzarnescu leads the H2H 2-0, but has really been struggling in 2021 with a 2-11 record. Rus has compiled a couple of solid results heading into this tournament and has a good track record at the French Open.
Prediction: Rus in 3
Jim:
This could probably go either way. But although Buzarnescu has the more recent pedigree at Roland Garros, having made the last 16 in 2018, Rus seems to have a way of pulling out some good wins even when she is out of form. The Dutchwoman may well claim another here at Buzarnescu’s expense.
Prediction: Rus in 3
Belinda Bencic vs Nadia Podoroska
Yesh:
Nadia Podoroska is becoming a rising star, though she hasn’t continued on the meteoric path she set last year. Bencic is a top player for a reason, though, and it’s easy to overlook how consistent she is. She hasn’t made deep runs at Majors, but she should be tapped–barely–to squeak out a win in this matchup.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Steen:
A quarterfinalist in Belgrade, Podoroska is at a career high ranking. The former French Open semifinalist has matched her 2020 win total and continues to show improvement. Bencic reached the quarters and Madrid and presents a difficult matchup. This isn’t easy to predict but Podoroska should have a slight edge.
Prediction: Podoroska in 3
Jim:
This is a less than ideal draw for both women. But it is Bencic who probably feels like the unluckier of the two. The Swiss is in real need of a good run at a big tournament, but she probably won’t be going deep at the French Open now. Podoroska may not return to the semifinals, but the Argentine has proven herself to be a more than effective clay-courter. Expect her to claim another big scalp here.
Prediction: Podoroska in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
