- Naomi Osaka [2] v Patricia Maria Tig
- Stefanos Tsitsipas [5] v Jeremy Chardy
- Aryna Sabalenka [3] v Ana Konjuh [Q]
PARIS, FRANCE – Roland Garros starts with a bang as we pick three first round matches that are sure to catch the attention on day one.
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Naomi Osaka [2] v Patricia Maria Tig H2H & Match Fundamentals
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Naomi Osaka [2] v Patricia Maria Tig |
H2H: Osaka leads 1-0 |
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Roland Garros |
Paris, France |
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Clay (O) |
Prize Money: €60,000 |
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1st match on Philippe-Chatrier (10am BST) |
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Naomi Osaka’s preparation heading into Roland Garros has been more talk about her skipping press conferences during the tournament rather than her form. Maybe that’s a good thing for the second seed who’s only win of the clay court swing came against World No. 79 Misaki Doi in Madrid.
Luckily for Osaka her opponent, Patricia Maria Tig, has not fared much better on the red clay in 2021 with Tig’s only win coming against World No. 119 Yafan Wang in Rome qualifying. An early loss to Mihaela Buzarnescu in Belgrade certainly wouldn’t have done her confidence good on a surface that usually she feels comfortable on.
In terms of styles, Tig has a solid game with a wide range of skills defensively but she isn’t a player that will play Osaka off the court. Although the second seed hasn’t found her feet on the clay, quite literally, it will be a match that the Japanese star will feel she can dictate most of the points.
Although Osaka isn’t likely to make a challenge for the title she should edge through this tentative contest.
Prediction: Osaka in three sets.
Stefanos Tsitsipas [5] v Jeremy Chardy H2H & Match Fundamentals
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Stefanos Tsitsipas [5] v Jeremy Chardy |
H2H: Tsitsipas leads 2-1 |
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Roland Garros |
Paris, France |
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Clay (O) |
Prize Money: €60,000 |
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4th match on Philippe-Chatrier (15:30 BST) |
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Based on form alone, Stefanos Tsitsipas is third favourite for Roland Garros having won the Monte Carlo title and lost two three hour matches in the Barcelona final to Rafael Nadal and in the Rome semi-finals to Novak Djokovic. Having been so close to reaching the final last year, Tsitsipas will be aiming to dispatch his opponents quickly to save energy for later rounds.
Although Jeremy Chardy has failed to win back-to-back matches on the clay courts this season, the Frenchman’s style is awkward to play against and rarely lets his opponents consistently dictate matches.
However Tsitsipas should be able to ride the Chardy’s powerful play in moments and should power past in an opening test that should stand him in good stead for the rest of the tournament.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in straight sets.
Aryna Sabalenka [3] v Ana Konjuh [Q] H2H & Match Fundamentals
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Aryna Sabalenka [3] v Ana Konjuh [Q] |
H2H: First Meeting |
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Roland Garros |
Paris, France |
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Clay (O) |
Prize Money: €60,000 |
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3rd match on Suzanne-Lenglen (14:00 BST) |
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Aryna Sabalenka has evolved into a consistent top five player over this clay court season having reached the Stuttgart final and winning the Madrid title beating world number one Ash Barty. The Belarusian’s consistent firepower has meant she enters her first match the favourite to reach the final from the bottom half of the draw.
As for Ana Konjuh she has rejuvenated herself after injuries nearly ruined her potential as a top 10 star. But having made a deep run in Miami beating Iga Swiatek along the way, Konjuh arrives in Paris in top form having reached the Belgrade final and qualified for the main draw without dropping a set.
In terms of styles, expect the balls to be crushed until they go flat as these are two players who only play one way and that’s to hit the ball hard and harder. This match will be about who can control their power more and nail down their high percentage shots better.
Although Konjuh has been on terrific form, Sabalenka should survive a tough opening round match in Paris.
Prediction: Sabalenka in three sets.
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