First-round action in Rouen today, with temperatures barely above 10°C and a 100% chance of rain hanging over the clay courts, so expect some delays and slow, heavy conditions out there. We've got three matches to break down, and a couple of them are genuinely hard to call. Let's get into it.
WTA Open Capfinances Rouen Metropole Predictions
Janice Tjen vs Anna Bondar
Head-to-head: Tjen 1-0 Bondar
Tjen holds the only H2H win between these two, but the rankings tell a different story right now, with Bondar sitting 22 places below her on paper and yet looking the more consistent performer over the past few months. Tjen is ranked 41st, which sounds solid, but her results on clay have been underwhelming and the slow, wet conditions today aren't going to flatter her game.
Bondar is comfortable in long grinding rallies and this surface in these conditions plays right into that. She's become very good at not panicking when things drag out, and I think that composure gets her through here in straights.
Prediction: Bondar in 2
Tatjana Maria vs Elsa Jacquemot
Head-to-head: Maria 0-1 Jacquemot
Jacquemot leads the H2H and she's the higher-ranked player coming in, so on paper this is hers. That said, Maria is one of the trickiest players on the tour to close out, and her slice-heavy game gets even more annoying on slow clay in cold weather. The heavy conditions today will take some pace off the ball and make it harder for Jacquemot to finish points cleanly.
Maria has a way of stealing sets she has no business winning, and with a home crowd likely pulling for Jacquemot, expect nerves to play a role. This one goes three, and Maria nicks it.
Prediction: Maria in 3
Marta Kostyuk vs Diane Parry
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 3-0 Parry
Kostyuk has beaten Parry three times, without dropping a set across any of them, so this is about as clear a pattern as you'll find. Hard to see this being competitive at all, with Parry ranked 95th and struggling for form, and Kostyuk at 27 in the world is simply the better player on every surface right now.
The tricky conditions might drag this out a bit longer than expected, but Kostyuk should still find a way to get through here, all things considered.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © PI via ZUMA Press Wire