We've got three first-round picks from the WTA French Open today, and there's at least one match here that could go sideways. Let's get into it.
WTA French Open Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 2-0 Bouzas Maneiro
Sabalenka has won both previous meetings without dropping much along the way, and there's no real reason to think this goes differently. Bouzas Maneiro is a decent player on clay but she's nowhere near the level required to seriously trouble the world number one, and Sabalenka on an indoor clay surface is about as tough a draw as you can get in the first round.
That said, Sabalenka can be loose early in tournaments sometimes, and the 3-set prediction feels right just on the basis that Bouzas Maneiro will compete. But this one ends the same way the other two did.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Linda Noskova vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: Noskova 1-1 Sakkari
Sakkari has had a difficult stretch and slipping from her former top-five status to 47 in the world, a drop that happened faster than most expected, tells the story pretty clearly. Noskova is young, hits the ball hard and has been one of the more interesting names on tour when she's on her game. The 1-1 head-to-head doesn't tell us much on its own, but the ranking gap feels real right now.
I think Noskova gets through this, though probably not without some discomfort, all things considered. Sakkari still has the experience and the game to make it messy, and three sets seems likely here.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
Jasmine Paolini vs Dayana Yastremska
Head-to-head: Paolini 6-1 Yastremska
A 6-1 head-to-head is about as dominant as it gets between two players who've met seven times, and yet this is the pick I feel least comfortable about. Yastremska has been playing some serious tennis recently and Paolini's form hasn't been at the level we saw from her earlier in the year when she was reaching Grand Slam finals and competing at the very top.
That said, Yastremska's flat ball-striking on clay can be genuinely difficult to handle when she's dialed in, and if Paolini isn't moving well or making enough balls, this could slip away from her fast. The head-to-head says one thing, but current form says another.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Loic Baratoux/ZUMA Press Wire