By Tony Fairbairn
- Angelique Kerber v Naomi Osaka
- Taylor Fritz [7] v Alexander Bublik
- Iga Swiatek [1] v Irina-Camelia Begu
PARIS, FRANCE – Angelique Kerber will take on fellow Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka on day one of the Olympics as the German plays the final tournament of her illustrious career.
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Angelique Kerber v Naomi Osaka H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Angelique Kerber v Naomi Osaka | H2H: Kerber leads 4-2 |
| Olympic Games 2024 | Paris, France |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: N/A |
| Fourth on Philippe Chatrier (19:30 BST) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
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Angelique Kerber’s illustrious tennis career is almost over after the German announced that the Olympic Games will be her final ever tournament of her career. The German has won three Grand Slam titles, been a world number one and even won an Olympic silver medal. However it’s very fitting that Kerber’s farewell will be at the scene of the only Grand Slam that Kerber failed to win in her career. Now the 36 year-old will aim to provide one last fairytale run of her career and banish her Roland Garros demons as she bids for a second Olympic medal in Paris.
A blockbuster opening round match awaits Kerber as she takes on fellow Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. It was three years ago that all the pressure and expectation was on Osaka as she lit the Olympic cauldron and was hailed as the face of the games. However the stress was too much for Osaka as she lost to eventual silver medallist Marketa Vondrousova in the third round. Now Osaka has a completely different mindset and a replica of her performance at Roland Garros earlier this year could see her with an outside chance of winning a first Olympic medal.
Kerber will look to play clinical counter-attacking tennis as she will need to be consistent on serve if she wants to have a chance of winning this match. Meanwhile Osaka will aim to serve just like she did at Roland Garros in May as she will look to be aggressive and proactive. This has the makings of a tense and entertaining contest with Osaka entering this match as slight favourite based on form. However form goes out the window at the Olympics and Kerber will have nothing to lose in what could be her final ever singles match.
Prediction: Osaka in three sets.
Taylor Fritz [7] v Alexander Bublik H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Taylor Fritz [7] v Alexander Bublik | H2H: Bublik leads 3-2 |
| Olympic Games 2024 | Paris, France |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: N/A |
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American men’s tennis hasn’t exactly received plaudits over the last three years but Taylor Fritz will be aiming to bring home a medal. There’s no reason to believe why Fritz shouldn’t be confident given his improved results on clay this season as he has risen to the occasion in big tournaments. However, Fritz has picked up some injuries over the last few weeks and will be hoping that doesn’t hamper his chances at Olympic glory.
A tough first round awaits Fritz in the form of Alexander Bublik as the charismatic Kazakh aims for a deep run on his least favourite surface. Bublik is as unpredictable as they come and is now carrying the flag for Kazakhstan in tennis after Elena Rybakina’s withdrawal in the women’s event. Having achieved some big milestones over the last year, Bublik will feel that he can achieve another one this year as he embraces the Olympic stage.
Fritz will aim to continue his serving dominance as he will use the backhand to test Bublik’s athleticism. Meanwhile Bublik will look to show his own dominant serving as he will use variety to test how fit Fritz really is. If Fritz has recovered from injury in time then he should have too much for Bublik but with this match expected to go all the way, it could be about which player takes the most risks in the big points.
Prediction: Fritz in three sets.
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Iga Swiatek [1] v Irina-Camelia Begu H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Iga Swiatek [1] v Irina-Camelia Begu | H2H: Swiatek leads 1-0 |
| Olympic Games 2024 | Paris, France |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: N/A |
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Three years ago in Tokyo it was a stressful tournament for Iga Swiatek but now the Pole is mature, composed and confident as she is in much more familiar territory. The world number one is the overwhelming favourite for gold but will have to overcome a tricky draw in order to achieve her goal. The question remains whether Swiatek can keep her emotions under control when she represents her country and if she can then surely she will claim glory at Roland Garros once again.
First up for Swiatek is Irina-Camelia Begu who can be a dangerous competitor on her day especially on clay. The Romanian enters the Olympics in consistent form having reached the fourth round in Rome, the third round at Roland Garros and the semi-finals in Palermo last week. Now Begu will aim to put her clay court intelligence to the test against the world’s best player.
Swiatek will use the forehand to dominate play and seize control of the rallies from the baseline. Meanwhile Begu will remain consistent from the baseline and will use depth to isolate Swiatek behind the baseline. Although early nerves will play a part for Swiatek, the Pole should use her maturity to gain a good opening round win.
Prediction: Swiatek in straight sets.
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