The first day of the French Open saw plenty of upsets, and Day 2 definitely has potential for more of the same. As always, we’re here to predict all of the matches for you. We’re splitting the day’s 24 matches between six articles. In addition to this article, our others feature Amanda Anisimova vs Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek vs Lesia Tsurenko, Victoria Azarenka vs Ana Bogdan, Bianca Andreescu vs Ysaline Bonaventure, and Angelique Kerber vs Magdalena Frech. Predicting these matches are Jim Smith, Yesh Ginsburg, and Andy Watson. Who do you think will win?
French Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Diane Parry vs Barbora Krejcikova
Jim:
Barbora Krejcikova looks like an outside chance to retain her French Open title, with the Czech having been out of action since February. But she should still have enough quality to win this match. The future is bright for Diane Parry, but if Krejcikova plays anything like her best tennis, she should have enough to book her place in the second round.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Yesh:
Krejcikova is the defending champion but hasn’t been playing like a Major winner for most of this year, and her health is in question. Whether she wins or loses will entirely be on if her body can keep up. I won’t say it won’t, but there’s a good chance it won’t.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Andy:
It is difficult to know how fit the Czech defending champion is. She hasn’t played since February and you guess that she is playing here because she is defending champion. If she is fit she wins, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Parry might be the beneficiary of a half-fit Krejcikova.
Prediction: Parry in 3
Danka Kovinic vs Liudmilla Samsonova
Jim:
Samsonova made a fine start to her clay-court season with a semifinal showing in Stuttgart, but there has been little to celebrate for the Russian since then. Danka Kovinic, in contrast, has been winning a lot of matches, albeit at ITF-level. Nonetheless, it is the Montenegrin who has the momentum coming into this match. Expect her to advance.
Prediction: Kovinic in 3
Yesh:
Samsonova is somewhat more solid at the moment, but this really could go either way. In a Major players can find their best levels, and this should be a tight match if both do.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Andy:
I like Samsonova here. Kovinic is a good player but Samsonova, when she is on it, can trouble the very best. After all she is the only player to take a set from Swiatek in the last few weeks.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Arantxa Rus vs Elena Rybakina
Jim:
Like many of the WTA’s biggest hitters, Elena Rybakina is not exactly a by-word for consistency. But the Kazakh has been in solid form of late, reaching the third round in Madrid and Rome. Arantxa Rus can be a frustrating opponent thanks to her excellent court-coverage, but expect Rybakina to have enough power to hit through the Dutchwoman.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Yesh:
Rybakina’s best results have come at this Major, including her huge upset of Serena Williams last year. She hasn’t quite been as impressive since then, but she likes the surface enough that she should be favored here.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Andy:
The Ukrainian has all the power tools one might need in this situation. That should be enough to see off Rus in this round but Rybakina will be looking for timing and consistency off both wings here.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Oceane Dodin vs Andrea Petkovic
Jim:
Oceane Dodin played some very good tennis to reach the semifinals in Strasbourg, only for an injury to force her to retire in the semifinals. But if she has recovered from that injury, this looks like a winnable match for the hard-hitting Frenchwoman. Andrea Petkovic has had an excellent career, but the German is not the force she once was.
Prediction: Dodin in 3
Yesh:
Dodin showed huge potential years ago but hasn’t quite found what to do with it yet. Petkovic, meanwhile, hasn’t won a Tour-level main draw match since February. She’s done enough in qualifiers that she should be able to beat someone at Dodin’s level, though.
Prediction: Petkovic in 3
Andy:
Dodin has a terrible French Open record, losing her last five in her home Slam. Petkovic can continue that poor run here, the German is decent in the clay conditions and holds more often than Dodin in general.
Prediction: Petkovic in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
