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, Elina Svitolina vs Karolina Pliskova, and Ons Jabeur vs Saschia Vickery. Predicting these matches are Jim Smith, Jordan Reynolds, and Nurein Ahmed.
French Open Day 2 Predictions
Fiona Ferro vs Diane Parry
Jim:
This all-French battle promises to be a close match. They have split their previous four meetings, though Parry has won the last two, including a 6-4 6-1 in Colina last season. The conditions (and pressure) at the French Open will be very different, but if Parry can summon that sort of tennis again she might just have the beating of Ferro.
Prediction: Parry in 3
Jordan:
Parry’s clay-court season has not taken off since she picked up an injury in Rouen last month. Hopefully, she is feeling a little better now heading into her home Grand Slam, since her game can be devastating on clay. Ferro has proven she is a tricky opponent, but it feels like Parry cannot stay out of form forever.
Prediction: Parry in 2
Nurein:
This is a clash of styles. Ferro loves power, while Parry is more of an architect who prefers style. It’s easy to forget that Ferro reached the second week at Roland Garros a few years ago. Parry’s clay-court campaign has been a slow burner, and I fancy power to trump finesse.
Prediction: Ferro in 3
Elsa Jacquemot vs Ana Bogdan
Jim:
It has been a tough few weeks for Ana Bogdan. But this might represent a good opportunity to turn her fortunes around. Elsa Jacquemot has a bright future, but she remains inexperienced at this level, whilst Bogdan has been known to deliver her best tennis on the big stage.
Prediction: Bogdan in 3
Jordan:
Jacquemot will have to soak up a lot of pressure against Bogdan, who always plays aggressively. Can a home crowd inspire her to do that? It is possible, but Bogdan’s overall game is one that can take out the home favorite at her best.
Prediction: Bogdan in 2
Nurein:
The French crowd can be rowdy, so they’ll test Ana Bogdan’s patience. Elsa Jacquemot is sitting in the Top 150 and steadily rising, but she hasn’t tested herself at the top level regularly. Bogdan, by contrast, is vastly experienced, although doubts remain on her fitness coming to the tournament (retired at the Paris 125K).
Prediction: Bogdan in 3
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Anhelina Kalinina vs Camila Osorio
Jim:
Anhelina Kalinina had been in indifferent form, but looked to be back to something approaching her best last week in reaching the semifinals in Strasbourg. Camila Osorio has been struggling herself lately, which could make this a good opportunity for Kalinina to continue her resurgence.
Prediction: Kalinina in 3
Jordan:
This is an interesting matchup. Kalinina has some momentum after reaching the semifinal in Strasbourg, but Osorio is one of the feistiest competitors in the women’s game. That intensity may be something the calmer Kalinina does not like. In truth though, this could easily go either way.
Prediction: Osorio in 3
Nurein:
Kalinina has struggled to stay fit in the first quarter of the season, but she’s played some great tennis recently on her return to clay. There’s a modicum of consistency in her results. She’s also very confident in her approach. Osorio has so much variety and is not the kind of player you want to face right off that bat. This will be a tricky one for the Ukrainian and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a different outcome from what I think.
Prediction: Kalinina in 3
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Maria Sakkari vs Varvara Gracheva
Jim:
It has been a tough 12 months for Maria Sakkari. Although she impressed in reaching the final in Indian Wells, by-and-large her results have not been at the level she would have hoped for. But she beat Varvara Gracheva a fortnight ago for the loss of only four games and she should have enough to beat the Russian once again.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Jordan:
These two played a few weeks ago, with Sakkari winning comfortably. Although Gracheva will have a home crowd behind her. It is difficult to see anything other than another Sakkari win. She does every part of the game better than her opponent.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Nurein:
Sakkari has always been the most vulnerable top 10 player in a Grand Slam in recent years, with a spate of first-round exits. But her mindset has changed since appointing David Witt. Gracheva won only four games against the Greek when they played in Rome two weeks ago, and we might be looking at something similar in Paris, especially with Sakkari’s improved mental strength.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports