Expect plenty of entertaining tennis on day one at the French Open. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Barbora Krejcikova vs Viktoria Golubic, Tatjana Maria vs Clara Tauson, Lesia Tsurenko vs Donna Vekic, and Lucia Bronzetti vs Naomi Osaka. But who will reach the round of 64?
French Open Day 1 Predictions
Chloe Paquet vs Diana Shnaider
Ateet: Chloe Paquet is a wild card who spends most of her time in the ITF tour. The last time she was in the main draw of the French Open, she took a set off Aryna Sabalenka in 2022. Diana Shnaider recently won a title at the WTA 125 tournament in Paris and should win this match easily.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2
Jordan: Wild card Paquet has had some good results this season, although her only Grand Slam main draw victory was in Paris back in 2017. She will need to defend well against the more powerful Shnaider to have a chance of prevailing. The Frenchwoman doing that consistently enough seems unlikely.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2
Glenys: Pacquet has made the French Open on ranking, without having to qualify. The Frenchwoman will be looking to capitalise on this and put a good run together. Shnaider is coming in off the back of a WTA event trophy early in May. Shnaider will have no trouble with the French Women
Prediction: Snaider in 2
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Dayana Yastremska
Ateet: Dayana Yastremska has never won a match at the French Open and this is a great opportunity for her to do so. She has never lost to Ajla Tomljanovic who is short of match practice. Yastremska should win this comfortably.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Jordan: Yastremska has mostly struggled for form and consistency since her run to the Australian Open semifinal. On paper, this is a good draw for her, with Tomljanovic only returning this month from over three months out with an injury. The Ukrainian’s firepower is very likely to be too much for Tomljanovic.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Glenys: The Ukranian is seeded and holds the clear advantage in the head to head over Tomljanovic. The Aussie, though will be hoping to shock the seed and move on. The head to head suggests this will not happen, although previous meetings were back in 2019.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
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Marie Bouzkova vs Veronika Kudermetova
Ateet: Marie Bouzkova reached the finals of Bogota in early April but other than that she hasn’t been effective in other tournaments this year. Veronika Kudermetova has struggled for form this year with just seven wins from 19 matches. Bouzkova has never won a match in French Open while Kudermetova has reached the quarterfinals in 2022. Based on that the edge is with Kudermetova.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Jordan: It has been a very difficult season for Kudermetova so far. Bouzkova’s gritty and consistent style that will extend the rallies may not be the best matchup for her right now. Kudermetova will need to serve well but she is one of the seeded players who is most in danger of being knocked out early.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Glenys: Both close in ranking Bouzkova trails in the head to head. The last meeting was in Rome 2023, where Kudermetova took the match in straight sets. This is likely to be a good match for a neutral to watch. It could be close and go the distance, or it could be straight sets
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Wang Yafan vs Maria Timofeeva
Ateet: There is nothing much to separate between these two players. Neither player has won a main draw match at the French Open and will back their chance to do so. Maria Timofeeva had a good showing at the Australian Open this year and I back her to win this.
Prediction: Timofeeva in 3
Jordan: Both players have struggled a lot on clay so far this year. There may be a few nerves, with each woman likely to view this draw as a great opportunity to reach the second round. Wang is given a very slight advantage, but in truth, this could go either way.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Glenys: Timofeeva will be desperate to move on here at Roland Garros. Having failed to qualify for the last two events the Russian needs some results in her favour. Wang has been in the main draw by right of the last few events, but did not progress far. The Chinese should take this
Prediction: Wang in 3
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Main photo credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports