The WTA French Open is back for another installment. Last year, Iga Swiatek defeated Jasmine Paolini to claim the title. Swiatek has not been at her best this year, and the field seems as wide open as it gets. Here are my best bets for the opening round action. Let me know if you agree in the comment section.
WTA French Open
Vekic – Blinkova: Time 14:30
H2H: 0-1
The 2023 WTA Beijing Open was the first and only time that Donna Vekic and Anna Blinkova have played one another. Blinkova took that meeting in straight sets. At 17-13 on the year, Blinkova is having a much better year than Vekic, who is 7-12 overall. Vekic is also 4-6 in her last ten matches. Blinkova is 7-3. Blinkova is also the better of the two on clay, as she is 80-64 to Vekic’s 68-61 record on clay.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Vekic as the favorite, and I cannot understand why. Vekic hasn’t played well this year, and she hasn’t played well lately, in particular. Why the books feel like she’s going to beat someone who is playing well right now, and in general, when that person is already better than them on the surface on which the match is being played. The books seem to be favoring world rankings in this match, and that’s just not how their previous match played out.
That being said, Blinkova winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Blinkova winning @2.25 @Pinnacle
Eala – Arango: Time 12:30
H2H: 0-1
Alexandra Eala and Emiliana Arango have only played one prior to Roland-Garros. They played at the 2024 Miami Open, and Arango won an incredible back-and-forth, three-set affair. A lot has changed since then. Eala officially announced herself on the world stage earlier this year, and Arango has been doing some impressive work on the hardcourt. Arango has been playing in clay tournaments to prep for the French Open, but she hasn’t seen much luck outside of a second-round showing in Rome. Eala is going to need another impressive showing outside of Miami if she wants to keep her current ranking.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Eala as a favorite, and I disagree. Neither lady has done well on clay this year. Eala is 2-3 in 2025 and 14-20 overall. Arango is 3-6 on clay in 2025 and 128-89 overall. Arango is the better of the two on clay and has done better on clay more recently. She knows she can beat Eala, who hasn’t been playing with nearly the same confidence she showed in Miami, and she’s getting further and further from that being a recent performance. Arango might not have had the recent success, but she’s a more experienced and adept clay player, taking on a young player with only two wins since her coming-out party.
That being said, Arango winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Arango winning @2.25 @Betfair
Stefanini – Teichmann: Time 13:00
H2H: 0-1
Lucrezia Stefanini and Jil Teichmann have had one previous meeting, and it was over ten years ago. While Stefanini enters the match having gone 5-5 in her last ten matches, Teichmann is only 3-7 in her last ten. Stefanini has also had the better 2025 at 18-14 to Teichmann’s 15-14. The only place where Teichmann begins to distinguish herself from Stefanini is when you get to surface play. Teichmann is 204-109 in her career on clay, whereas Stefanini is 172-148 on clay.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Teichmann in this match, and I cautiously agree. The reason I like Teichmann more is that she is clearly a much better player on clay when she’s dialed in and playing her best. She might not be playing well lately, but you don’t just casually create a 2:1 record on your preferred surface. It takes a great amount of consistency over an extended period, especially since she’s been playing on clay since 2012. Teichmann is going to win because when it matters most, she finds a way to do so on clay.
That being said, Teichmann winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Teichmann winning @1.62 @Unibet
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
