We wrap up the first round of the women’s singles on Day 3 of the French Open. 20 matches are scheduled, and–as always–we here at LastWordOnTennis will share our thoughts on all of them with you. We split the day’s matches between five articles. In addition to this one, the other four feature Victoria Azarenka vs Nadia Podoroska, Qinwen Zheng vs Alize Cornet, Elena Rybakina vs Greet Minnen, and Aryna Sabalenka vs Erika Andreeva. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Manuel Traquete, and Yesh Ginsburg.
French Open Day 3 Predictions
Mayar Sherif vs Yue Yuan
Jordan:
Yuan beat Sherif last month in Rouen. However, the Egyptian was playing one of her first matches since returning from injury. Sherif’s level is much higher now. She reached the final in Morocco heading this event. Her best level on clay is better than Yuan’s, who is more comfortable on hard courts. The Egyptian is the favorite to get her revenge here.
Prediction: Sherif in 2
Manuel:
Yuan might be higher ranked, but she struggles a lot on clay, as shown by her getting here on the back of four consecutive losses. Sherif, on the other hand, is comfortable on this surface and fresh off a final in Rabat. She should be able to advance here.
Prediction: Sherif in 2
Yesh:
Sherif is a much better player, especially on clay. Don’t let their recent meeting fool you. As long as the Egyptian is healthy, she should win easily.
Prediction: Sherif in 2
Sara Errani vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
Jordan:
Italian veteran Errani showed she still has some good tennis left in her by coming through the qualifying as the No. 1 seed. Can her gritty style have further success in the main draw? It is not impossible, with Schmiedlova also not possessing a big weapon in her game. But the Slovakian’s extra energy as a younger player might mean that Errani’s efforts to reach this point might prove crucial in the end.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 3
Manuel:
Errani is a former finalist at this tournament, but this year she actually had to go through qualifying to even reach the main draw. She is still someone who really knows how to play on this surface and might well be able to at least win a match here.
Prediction: Errani in 3
Yesh:
Errani is a once-great player who still has flashes of greatness, but as the years go one they’re fewer and further between. Does she have one last bit of magic in her? Against a not-so-in-form opponent, I think there’s a chance.
Prediction: Errani in 3
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Zeynep Sonmez vs Emma Navarro
Jordan:
Navarro is capable of making a major breakthrough at the French Open, with her game best suited to clay. The quickly improving American is not a great draw for Sonmez. Navarro’s heavy forehand and consistency should see her sail into the next round.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Manuel:
Navarro has played a lot on clay this year and showed a very good level on some occasions. Facing a player coming from qualifying, the World #24 should be able to advance to the second round here.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Yesh:
Emma Navarro is a potential rising star, ready to take the college tennis mantle with Danielle Collins’ imminent retirement. And she’s charging towards the Top 10. She might never win a Major, but she’ll go deep in plenty of events.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
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Madison Keys vs Renata Zarazua
Jordan:
Keys is one of the most in-form players on clay, winning the title in Strasbourg heading into the second Grand Slam of the year. In fact, only Iga Swiatek has beaten her on the dirt so far this season. All signs point to the American winning again against Zarazua, who is a capable player but is not good enough to stop Keys at her current level.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Manuel:
Keys is fresh off a fantastic title run in Strasbourg, where she didn’t drop a single set, and on paper she got a very kind draw here, facing someone outside the Top 100. Assuming she still has a lot left in the tank after last week, she should be able to breeze through this opening round.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Yesh:
It’s been a long time since Zarazua stunned Serena Williams at this event. Almost a decade later, against another elite American, I expect the result to be much different.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports