Day 3 at the French Open sees the conclusion of the first round in both the women’s and men’s draws. There are 20 matches (each) scheduled for Tuesday, and as always, we’re here to predict them all for you. We split the 20 women’s matches between five articles. In addition to this article we have four others–featuring Aryna Sabalenka vs Chloe Paquet, Karolina Pliskova vs Tessah Andrianjafitrimo, Danielle Collins vs Viktoriya Tomova, and Simona Halep vs Nastasja Mariana Schunk. Predicting these matches are Fraser Learmonth, Johnny Connell, and Jim Smith. Who do you think will win?
French Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Claire Liu vs Tamara Zidansek
Fraser:
Another big upset opportunity here. Claire Liu has won nine of her last ten matcheson clay. She is also in the midst of a career year. However, Zidansek was a semifinalist here last year and has played good tennis without reaping the rewards for it in recent weeks. I think she makes another good run here in Paris. That mean’s Liu, one of the in-form players on the tour at the moment, goes home early.
Prediction: Zidansek in 2
Johnny:
Claire Liu has had a big couple of weeks before arriving for Roland Garros. Liu won the Paris WTA125 event before reaching the final in Rabat. Zidansek’s form is less impressive, but perhaps a return to the scene of her greatest career achievement 12 months ago when she reached the semifinals will prove inspirational for the Slovenian. I’ll side with Zidansek. Fatigue may be an issue for Liu after a long couple of weeks, Zidansek will be desperate to avoid an early exit and a big ranking drop.
Prediction: Zidansek in 3
Jim:
It will be interesting to see how Tamara Zidansek copes with the pressure of defending semifinal points at the French Open. It looked to have been a breakthrough run for the Slovenian, but she has struggled to kick on since and comes into this year’s tournament with just one win in four on the clay in 2022. But Claire Liu may struggle to take advantage, having had little turnaround time since her run to the final in Rabat.
Prediction: Zidansek in 3
Camila Giorgi vs Shuai Zhang
Fraser:
Tough to call this one. Giorgi is probably the better clay court player, but Zhang has the better form this year. This one likely goes the distance, and it will come down to how well Giorgi can control her power off the ground. If she keeps the error count down, she should be able to hit past Zhang often enough to win this.
Prediction: Giorgi in 3
Johnny:
This is a tough match to predict because both players are struggling at the moment. Zhang is generally slightly more solid, but Giorgi’s best is better. I’ll side with Giorgi who tends to randomly catch fire, especially at a bigger event. If Giorgi can execute her game decently then she has a good chance here.
Prediction: Giorgi in 3
Jim:
This should be a watchable match. Camila Giorgi must be accounted the favourite coming into it – she has the higher ceiling of the pair and is better equipped for clay-court tennis – but she is not exactly renowned for her consistency. With neither player in any sort of form, expect Giorgi’s greater power and willingness to strike first to prove the difference.
Prediction: Giorgi in 3
Shelby Rogers vs Tereza Martincova
Fraser:
think Martincova is a player to watch here in Paris. She has quietly gone about her business in recent months and now finds herself on the verge of a place inside the Top 50 in the women’s game. She is catching Rogers in a poor dip of form here, as the American is yet to win a match on clay this year. I expect that will prove the difference and Martincova will edge a close one.
Prediction: Martincova in 3
Johnny:
Rogers and Martincova both play some of their best tennis on the red clay, but both have struggled over the last few weeks. This is a tough matchup for predict; it looks very even. It will come down to who can raise their level on the day. I’ll give the edge to Rogers, who has a greater track record in bigger events.
Prediction: Rogers in 3
Jim:
Shelby Rogers could win this match, but Tereza Martincova is probably the smarter pick. The Czech has carved out a very solid career and typically plays well on the clay. Rogers’ boom or bust approach means that she can bat just about anyone on her day, but it is has been far more bust than boom for the American of late.
Prediction: Martincova in 3
Paula Badosa vs Fiona Ferro
Fraser:
I can’t believe I’m writing this, but I think Ferro will win here. The Frenchwoman has been so far off her best that something has to give eventually. Likewise, Badosa has been good but not the red hot fireball we saw tearing up the WTA last year. She’s vulnerable, and if she plays too passively here she might well give Ferro and her forehand a shot at this. This match screams upset.
Prediction: Ferro in 3
Johnny:
Paula Badosa is the obvious pick in this matchup based on form and rankings. However, it could be closer than expected; Ferro is capable in these conditions, has the support of the crowd and has nothing to lose. Badosa has proven herself in tough situations and usually gets the job done in the early rounds of majors, so I’ll stick with the Spaniard to pull through.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Jim:
Fiona Ferro’s recent struggles are hard to understand. There is no doubting the Frenchwoman’s talent, but for the most part she has been struggling to execute so far this season. Paula Badosa, despite a few surprise setbacks, has looked more assured. The title may be beyond her, but it would be a major surprise were she to fail to at least make the second week.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
