By Tony Fairbairn
- Paula Badosa [3] v Kaja Juvan
- Andrey Rublev [7] v Federico Delbonis
- Jelena Ostapenko [13] v Alize Cornet
PARIS, FRANCE – Paula Badosa will continue to lead the pack of challengers to Iga Swiatek as she headlined day five of Roland Garros where the second round matches conclude.
[table “ADPDAll” not found /]
Paula Badosa [3] v Kaja Juvan H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Paula Badosa [3] v Kaja Juvan | H2H: First meeting |
| Roland Garros 2022 | Paris, France |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €84,000 |
| First on Suzanne-Lenglen (10:00 BST) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player |
Paula Badosa put her underwhelming clay court form behind in her dominant victory over Fiona Ferro. The Spaniard sent an early statement as she looks to lead the title-chasing pack that looks to challenge Iga Swiatek for the title. Badosa has the mental fortitude and the consistency in her game to take the world number one to the limit but will now have to prove it at grand slam level starting here in Paris.
However a tough second round opponent awaits the third as she takes on talented Slovenian Kaja Juvan in the second round. Juvan, who is good friends with Swiatek, arrives in Paris in good form having reached the final in Strasbourg before losing an epic encounter to Angelique Kerber. Juvan has all the skills and talent to take top players to their limit and will look to once again prove that here in Paris with another upset.
This could be a really long battle with Badosa’s confidence and clean-hitting being tested. The serve will be the key to this match with both players’ defensive skills up there with some of the best on tour. There could be an upset in store here however if Badosa plays like she did in the first round then she should come through a tough test which will stand her in good shape for the rest of the tournament.
Prediction: Badosa in three sets.
Andrey Rublev [7] v Federico Delbonis H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Andrey Rublev [7] v Federico Delbonis | H2H: Rublev leads 1-0 |
| Roland Garros 2022 | Paris, France |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €84,000 |
| Fourth on Simonne-Mathieu (15:30 BST) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player |
Andrey Rublev has shown some good form this clay-court season after winning the Belgrade title and testing Stefanos Tsitsipas in Madrid. However the Russian has also shown some pretty erratic behaviour and an inconsistent level at times that has made people question whether he is ready to challenge the elite at grand slams. Now the seventh seed will look to prove his worth and show that with a favourable draw he can contend in the latter stages of grand slams.
Next for Rublev is a potentially tricky match against Argentinian Federico Delbonis who hasn’t displayed his best clay court form this season. Delbonis has failed to win back-to-back matches this clay court swing but on his day can prove to be a tricky test for anyone on this surface. Effective point-construction mixed with power sees Delbonis disrupt many opponents’ rhythm and the Argentinian will look to do the same here.
This match could end up a tough match if Rublev doesn’t produce consistent aggression throughout the match. The Russian has known to be erratic this clay court season and Delbonis is the type of opponent who could take advantage of that. However Rublev should get the job done here based on form so far this clay season.
Prediction: Rublev in four sets.
Jelena Ostapenko [13] v Alize Cornet H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jelena Ostapenko [13] v Alize Cornet | H2H: Tied at 2-2 |
| Roland Garros 2022 | Paris, France |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €84,000 |
| Fourth on Philippe-Chatrier (Not before 19:45 BST) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player |
Since the Australian Open, Jelena Ostapenko won 12 of 14 matches across three tournaments on hard courts. However since then entered Roland Garros on a five match losing streak which perfectly sums up the Latvian as a player as you never know what you’re going to get. Should Ostapenko find her rhythm and confidence then she will be hard to stop over the next two weeks but the former champion can lose to anybody when the opposite happens as disaster is never too far away. Can Ostapenko find her hot-streak in Paris?
Next for Ostapenko is Alize Cornet who is entering the latter stages of her career and is still reeling from her quarter-final performance at the Australian Open. Since then the 32 year-old hasn’t provided consistency as she looks to find another deep grand slam run in potentially her last Roland Garros of her career. Cornet will be looking for another moment to savour on Philippe-Chatrier on Thursday.
This match has late-night drama written all over and like most matches involving Ostapenko depends on the Latvian’s level. This should go the distance and Cornet will be motivated to put in a good performance in front of her home crowd. However Ostapenko should have enough to get through and reach the last 32.
Prediction: Ostapenko in three sets.
 |
|---|
How to Watch/Follow Roland Garros 2022
| TV | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player |
| Live Scores | Tennis Live Scores on Britwatch Sports |
| Follow Britwatch - Sport in General, Brits in Particular! | |
|---|---|
| Soundcloud | |
| YouTube | |
| We may receive compensation for products purchased via affiliate links on this website | |