The first round of the French Open women’s singles continues on Monday, Day 2 of the event. There are 24 matches scheduled for the day, and–as always–we here at LastWordOnTennis will share our thoughts on all of them. We split the day’s matches between six articles. In addition to this article, our other five feature Coco Gauff vs Julia Adveeda, Iga Swiatek vs Leolia Jeanjean, Danielle Collins vs Caroline Dolehide, Ons Jabeur vs Saschia Vickery, and Maria Sakkari vs Varvara Gracheva. Predicting these matches are Jim Smith, Jordan Reynolds, and Nurein Ahmed.
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Daria Saville vs Jasmine Paolini
Jim:
Jasmine Paolini is building an excellent career. The Italian, seeded 12th in Paris, should be targeting the second week. She has been given what looks like a good first-round draw and should be expected to take advantage at Daria Saville’s expense.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Jordan:
Saville digs in on any surface and makes her opponents work hard for points. However, she is past her prime, while Paolini has been on the rise in the last 12 months. The Italian’s athleticism and firepower from her forehand is likely to be too much for Saville to overcome.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Nurein:
Paolini is one of the breakout stars on the women’s circuit in 2024. She won her biggest WTA title in Dubai. Although she underperformed in her last tournament in Rome (she lost in the second round in singles), she won the doubles title together with Sara Errani. Saville can be a nuisance to play against, but I trust the Italian here.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Anastasia Potapova vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Jim:
Another match on day two at the French Open that could likely go either way. But of the two, it is surely Anastasia Potapova who has the higher ceiling. Don’t be surprised if it is the former-world #21 who comes out on top here.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Jordan:
Both players like to get on the front foot and play aggressively. Potapova’s results have been mixed this year, but at her best, she implements that style better than Rakhimova. She is a slight favourite to do that against an opponent who struggles when she is on the back foot.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Nurein:
This is an interesting one. Potapova is a massive talent and has the bigger tools to win this match. But she’s not making use of them and the racket is leaking too many errors. Rakhimova didn’t play a lot of tennis in Rabat this week, where she made the semis (benefitting from two retirement wins). I’m torn on this one, but I will give Potapova the benefit of the doubt.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
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Yulia Starodubtseva vs Cristina Bucsa
Jim:
Former college player Yulia Starodubtseva has made impressive strides since turning professional, with the 24-year-old already playing in her second Major. But in spite of that quick progress, she does remain inexperienced and that might cost her here.
Prediction: Bucsa in 3
Jordan:
Bucsa is a rare Spanish player who does not play her best tennis on clay. But this is a decent draw for her against a qualifier who does not have her natural skill level on court. Bucsa is unlikely to make a deep run in Paris but I think she will make it through this match.
Prediction: Bucsa in 2
Nurein:
Being unseeded, you always want to avoid an in-form qualifier. Starodubtseva didn’t drop a set in qualifying to reach her maiden main draw at Roland Garros. But I think Cristina Bucsa is actually a great clay-court player and will have enough to prevent the upset.
Prediction: Bucsa in 3
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Elina Svitolina vs Karolina Pliskova
Jim:
Elina Svitolina has perhaps not quite turned into the clay-court force that she might have done, but she still has a very respectable record on the surface and is a four-time quarterfinalist at Roland Garros. The title is surely beyond her this year, but she should have the beating of her old rival Karolina Pliskova.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Jordan:
This is one of the best matches of the opening round. At this stage of Pliskova’s career, I think Svitolina has the edge. The Ukrainian is still moving great and has also added more aggression to her game. That will put a lot of pressure on Pliskova, who has declined a lot in the last couple of years.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Nurein:
Pliskova is former World No. 1, but let’s be honest for a second; she’s a shadow of the player of the yesteryears. Yes, the serve can stand the test of time, but she’s just not playing at a higher level on a consistent basis. Svitolina has had better preparation for the tournament, and that will be evident in the final result.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports