Day Two Preview

By Chris Davies
May 26 2003

With the bottom half of the draw starting tomorrow we preview some of the biggest matches in the first round draw which could be potential upsets and fantastic tennis matches

With the French Open starting tomorrow we preview some of the biggest matches in the first round draw which could be potential upsets and fantastic tennis matches.

The bottom half of the draw will start off on Tuesday morning with Kim Clijsters on the main court. Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams, Jennifer Capriati and Monica Seles all starting their campaign to win the clay Grand Slam.


(6) Lindsay Davenport (USA) v Wynne Prakusya (INA)

This is a good opener for Davenport a low key player to start her off and bring her back into the groove after her hamstring injury which forced her out of Madrid last week. Prakusya will be stamped on and steamrolled past in under an hour and the sixth seed does not need to play fantastic tennis to advance.

Davenport in straight sets!


(2) Kim Cljisters (BEL) v Amy Frazier (USA)

The Belgian is one of the favourites if not the overall favourite for the title has an easy opener against a former top player Amy Frazier. Frazier has played the ITF circuit in USA for the past weeks losing early on in both tournaments she played. The American has beaten top players before including Martina Hingis but this will be too much for the faded tennis players. Clijsters will be looking for easy matches to keep her fitness level at tip top condition looking forward to her Final slot she deserves. The second seed like Davenport does not have to produce fantastic tennis to progress.

Clijsters in straight sets comfortably!


(3) Venus Williams (USA) v Samantha Reeves (USA)

Williams who has been dislodged from her world number two status could be in a big dilemma after injuring herself 3 weeks ago with a serious injury in her stomach muscle. She has not had much clay match practice. Reeves has had big wins in the past and may stay with last years runner up feeling she has a chance to gain a major scalp. Both the William's sisters have had low-key clay success this year and all may not be good in their camp this time round.

Williams will win in straight sets, first set will be tight before Venus picks up her game!


(7) Jennifer Capriati (USA) v Joannette Kruger (SA)

Capriaiti a former champion here has not won a title for 16 months has a big chance this time around with a fairly easy draw to at least the semi-finals. All players are rusty on their first round especially the top ranked ones has they have a lot to lose and Capriati is one of those. Jennifer may start rusty but has had a very good few weeks on the red clay in Europe storming into next round.

Capriati will start of slow but then stroll through in very easy fashion!


(12) Monica Seles (USA) v Nadia Petrova (RUS)

The former world number one and winner at the French Open faces a difficult first round match against the Russian. Last time these met at the Italian Open, Petrova was by far the stronger player leading 6-3, 4-1 when Seles was forced to retire due to a ankle injury. The American may not be fit enough to win this match and also her injury may reoccur during the match, if it does go into a tight 3 set match which I predict it will and Petrova will come out on top using her big serve and powerful groundstrokes to good use. Sadly this could be Seles last ever French Open with speculation surrounding her retirement.

Petrova will win in three sets or even two sets if she's lucky!


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