French Open Day One Preview

The French Open starts tomorrow and so the tennis review looks ahead at some of the more intriguing clashes.

Court Philip Chatrier:

Serena Williams Vs Alize Lim.

The battle between these friends looks easy on paper for Williams with Lim being a wild card, but Williams will not take any French woman for granted at Roland Garros after being knocked out of the first round in 2012 by Virginie Razzano, then ranked 111. The French crowd will do all they can to give an edge to Lim and Serena will have to be at her serene best to come through this unscathed.

Court Suzanne Lenglen:

Nick Kyrgios Vs Milos Raonic

This is a match up between generation now and future. Raonic has been impressive on clay this season, and Kyrgios has won two challengers on clay this season. While Raonic is the favorite, expect Krygios to play like he has nothing to lose and for Raonic to feel the pressure of being the number 8 seed for the first time in his career at a slam.

Belinda Bencic vs Venus Williams

This match is the marquee veterans versus newbie clash. The 2002 finalist versus a player making her French Open debut. Bencic is one of the most highly touted of WTA youngsters and she will look to replicate Ula Radwanska’s 2013 achievement of knocking Venus out in the first round of the French Open. Williams has gone out in the early rounds of her last seven of eight Majors so if Bencic is going to claim a top scalp, Suzanne Lenglen today is the time and place.

Court 3:

Goffin vs Melzer

Goffin was the lucky loser who made it to the fourth round against Federer in 2012; Melzer is a tour veteran and the 2010 semi-finalist. Whoever wins could have a chance against a vulnerable Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round so with the stakes high, a tough contest should ensue.

Court 6:

Dolgopolov versus Ramos
Dolgopolov made a lot of noise this season at Indian Wells and Miami only to have a whimper of a clay season. But the Ukrainian can play on the dirt, and he will need to be at his best to get past Ramos. The Spaniard has been a runner-up at a clay court event (Casablanca ’12) and won four challengers on the red stuff so he knows his way around a clay court.