Three third-round picks from the French Open today, and there's at least one result here that could turn a few heads if it comes off. We've got a couple of close calls and one match that feels more straightforward than the rankings suggest.
WTA French Open Predictions
Victoria Mboko vs Madison Keys
Head-to-head: Mboko 1-0 Keys
Mboko already has a win over Keys on the books, which is a decent confidence boost heading into this one. Keys can be explosive on faster surfaces but clay tends to blunt her a bit, and Mboko at world number nine is no easy out on this surface right now.
That said, Keys has enough firepower to make this uncomfortable, and a best-of-three on clay can go anywhere. I think Mboko gets through, but not without some nerves in the third.
Prediction: Mboko in 3
Cori Gauff vs Anastasia Potapova
Head-to-head: Gauff 2-2 Potapova
That 2-2 head-to-head is interesting because Potapova has clearly figured something out against Gauff, and on clay where the rallies stretch out, her flat ball-striking can really disrupt Coco's rhythm. Gauff is the higher-ranked player and the favorite on paper, but this rivalry has never been one-sided.
Potapova's been in decent form and she's never seemed bothered by the occasion when these two meet. Going with the upset here.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Iva Jovic vs Naomi Osaka
Head-to-head: First meeting
First meeting between these two, and the rankings are nearly identical, which makes it look closer than it probably is. Osaka has been finding her feet again after years of injury disruption and there's clearly still a big game in there and Jovic at 17 is still figuring out what she is at this level.
Hard to see this being competitive at all. Osaka should win this one comfortably, all things considered.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
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