By Tony Fairbairn
- Ons Jabeur [6] v Magda Linette
- Garbine Muguruza [10] v Kaia Kanepi
- Dominic Thiem v Hugo Dellien
PARIS, FRANCE – On day one at Roland Garros, there is a first look at Iga Swiatek’s challengers in Ons Jabeur and Garbine Muguruza as well as Dominic Thiem’s return to the grand slam stage.
[table “ADPDAll” not found /]
Ons Jabeur [6] v Magda Linette H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Ons Jabeur [6] v Magda Linette | H2H: Jabeur leads 3-1 |
| Roland Garros 2022 | Paris, France |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €60,000 |
| First on Philippe-Chatrier (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 |
Ons Jabeur is arguably the best-placed to challenge Iga Swiatek at this year’s Roland Garros having won Madrid and reached the final in Rome. The Tunisian has beaten the likes of Belinda Bencic, Simona Halep and Maria Sakkari over this clay-court swing to show why her mix of variety and power is a deadly combination on this surface. Now Jabeur will look to take this form to a grand slam stage and break new ground as she looks to be the one to give Swiatek a competitive challenge at Roland Garros.
Before thinking about Swiatek, Jabeur has to face the world number one’s compatriot in Magda Linette. Linette is a player that feels comfortable on clay and has tested the likes of Elina Svitolina, Ash Barty and Simona Halep at previous Roland Garros campaigns. Although Linette isn’t at the greatest form at the moment her performances in low-pressure situations in the past will give her belief that she can trouble the top players.
This will be a tough test for Jabeur with the Pole having the confidence to outhit top players and be consistent with her tactics. However the Tunisian’s form at the moment suggests that she will get through this match and begin her Roland Garros in fine fashion.
Prediction: Jabeur in three sets.
Garbine Muguruza [10] v Kaia Kanepi H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Garbine Muguruza [10] v Kaia Kanepi | H2H: Muguruza leads 1-0 |
| Roland Garros 2022 | Paris, France |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €60,000 |
| Second on Simonne-Mathieu (12:30 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 |
After winning the WTA Finals last October, nobody could have predicted the lack of form and confidence that Garbine Muguruza has produced since then. The Spaniard has only won two matches this clay court season and has only won back-to-back matches at one tournament this year which was in Doha in February. Muguruza will be hoping memories of her 2016 triumph will motivate an increase in form as she seeks a season kick-starter in Paris.
However Muguruza couldn’t have asked for a worse opening round with her lack of confidence as she takes on Kaia Kanepi in her opening match. The Estonian reached the quarter-finals at the Australian Open this year and is known for her grand slam giant-killings. Kanepi’s semi-final performance at a challenger event in Paris will give her confidence that she can produce another magical run at a grand slam again this year.
This has upset written all over it and Muguruza will need to play her top level from the early goings of the match. This contest will be about who can dictate the tempo of the match early on and who can construct the points better. At the moment Kanepi’s confidence is slightly higher than Muguruza and she will fancy her chances here.
Prediction: Kanepi in three sets.
Dominic Thiem v Hugo Dellien H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Dominic Thiem v Hugo Dellien | H2H: First meeting |
| Roland Garros 2022 | Paris, France |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €60,000 |
| First on Simonne-Mathieu (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 |
Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem would have fancied his chances to win the title in years gone past but now Thiem is struggling to win sets since his wrist injury. The Austrian is outside the world’s top 100 and his forehand is a shell of its former self. Thiem will be hoping a return to the place where he took a set off Rafael Nadal in the final three years ago will inspire a return in form.
Next for Thiem is clay-court veteran Hugo Dellien with the 28 year-old grinding away on the tour at a ranking of 87 in the world. However the Bolivian hasn’t produced inspiring form on the European clay lacking that consistency and quality that is needed to gain wins on the regular tour. Dellien will be hoping this opening round will be the perfect time for him to play his way into form.
This match could go either way with nobody knowing which Thiem will turn up here and whether Dellien has another quality to give the Austrian problems. Thiem’s gradual improvement recently makes him slight favourite but this could be a bit of a grind for the Austrian.
Prediction: Thiem in five 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 | |