We've got three picks from the WTA French Open second round today, and there's plenty to chew on. Two of the world's best are on court, plus a matchup between two young players who haven't faced each other before. 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 and neither was particularly close. Bouzas Maneiro is a solid clay-courter who can grind, but Sabalenka's serve and the weight she puts on the ball make life very difficult on any surface and clay is no exception. The world number one hasn't dropped off at all this season and there's no real reason to think a player ranked 51st is going to trouble her here.
That said, Sabalenka in 3 is the call, so maybe Bouzas Maneiro nicks a set somewhere. Don't be surprised if this is tighter than it looks on paper, but Sabalenka gets through.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Iva Jovic vs Alexandra Eala
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a genuinely interesting one. Eala has been making real noise on clay this year and her ranking of 38 already feels a little low for where her game is right now, especially on this surface. Jovic is ranked higher at 17 and has the experience edge, but she's been inconsistent in recent months and this isn't a straightforward match for her by any means.
I think Jovic's experience in best-of-three situations on tour gets her over the line, but Eala is more than capable of taking a set and making this competitive all the way through.
Prediction: Jovic in 3
Yuliia Starodubtseva vs Elena Rybakina
Head-to-head: First meeting
Starodubtseva has had a decent season and her ranking of 54 is respectable, but Rybakina is just a different level. The serve alone, easily one of the most damaging weapons on the women's tour, makes her one of the hardest players on tour to break and on slow clay she's still capable of finishing points quickly enough to avoid getting dragged into extended exchanges. Starodubtseva won't have many answers for that.
Rybakina should still find a way to get through here, though a dropped set wouldn't be a total shock given clay isn't her most natural surface.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Oscar Manuel Sanchez/ZUMA Press Wire