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, Madison Keys vs Renata Zarazua, and Elena Rybakina vs Greet Minnen. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Manuel Traquete, and Liam McBride.
French Open Day 3 Predictions
Katie Boulter vs Paula Badosa
Jordan:
This is among the best women’s first round matches, with both players capable of blistering power. Badosa’s greater experience on clay might be the difference between the two. Boulder is playing her first French Open after skipping clay-court tournaments due to injury concerns in previous years. Badosa to win what should be an entertaining match.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Manuel:
Badosa’s ranking might not be good at the moment, but she showed in Rome that she still has the level to fight against the very best. While she is not likely to go very deep here in Paris, she should be able to pull through this first round.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Liam:
Katie Boulter has taken massive leaps forward in the last year. She has won the San Deigo and Birmingham Open, not to mention making the third round of Wimbledon and the US Open. Yet, on the main tour she is still to win a competitive match on clay and this is her first appearance at Roland Garros. It really depends on what Badosa turns up. The former World #2 has the game to hit Boulter off the court but recent back issues have hampered her ability to return to the top of the game. The Spaniard looked much better in Rome though and will continue that momentum against Boulter.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Yulia Putintseva vs Sloane Stephens
Jordan:
Stephens made a blistering start to the European clay-court season with seven straight victories but she has since lost four in a row. One of those defeats was in straight sets to Putintseva in Rome. This is a very tough first round draw for Stephens but there is something about the French Open that seems to bring the best out of the American. She has not lost in the first round in Paris since her debut in 2011 and I think she will raise her game to extend that record.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Manuel:
On paper, it’s one of the most interesting matches of the day, with the two players having very similar levels and rankings. It’s very hard to choose a winner here, but Stephens has been in particularly bad shape lately, losing four matches in a row ahead of this tournament, which might give Putintseva a slight edge.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Liam:
Similar to Badosa, it’s all about whether Stephens brings her “A-game”. Since winning in the Open De Rouen she hasn’t faired so well. Up against the World #39, she will need to bring her top form. Despite Stephen’s record at Roland Garros, she will struggle against the Kazakh who moves around the court terrifically and with such grace. Putintseva was just games away from beating Rybakina in Madrid and will continue that form into Paris.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Irene Burillo Escorihuela vs Moyuka Uchijama
Jordan:
This is a very tough match to call. Both players will view this as a great opportunity to get a Grand Slam main draw victory. Uxhijama is a big fighter on the court and that doggedness might make the difference. But in truth, this is a real tossup.
Prediction: Uchijama in 3
Manuel:
Both players made it through qualifying in very impressive fashion and now have an excellent opportunity to get a Slam main draw win. That said, Uchijama is very clearly the superior player of the two overall and has a considerable edge here.
Prediction: Uchijama in 2
Liam:
Both will be full of confidence after breezing through three qualifying rounds without losing a single set. Yet it’s World #80 Uchijima who will go in as favorite after winning three ITF tournaments on the bounce. All in all, her winning streak stands at eighteen matches. Iga Swiatek who? Her Spanish counterpart is just the type of opponent she has been putting away with ease, and that won’t change on Tuesday.
Prediction: Uchijama in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Erika Andreeva
Jordan:
Sabakenka has been ruthless in the early Grand Slam rounds in recent years, much more so than at other events. Andreeva is a really talented player technically. However, she does not yet possess the consistent power to trouble Sabalenka when the world No. 2 is striking the ball cleanly.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Manuel:
Sabalenka is the second favorite to the title here after Iga Swiatek. She has been playing great on clay this season, only losing to the world #1 in the finals of Madrid and Rome, and will be looking to perhaps play another final with Swiatek here. She should make easy work of this opening round.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Liam:
Sabalenka will be looking to go further than her semi-final loss last year to Muchova. Despite her handy loss to Swiatek in Rome, she will still fancy herself to become champion with her supreme self-confidence. Andreeva will stand in her way, however her consistent lack of depth in her shots will be brutally punished. It will likely be a quick one.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
