ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 17: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus plays a forehand in her round two match against Sofia Kenin of The United States during day four of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia at Foro Italico on September 17, 2020 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Angelo Carconi - Pool/Getty Images)
Canada’s Bianca Andreescu will take on Victoria Azarenka in the opening round of the French Open
Victoria Azarenka is coming to Paris at the back of some disappointing performances and will be looking to turn things around. The veteran Tennis star started the year on a good note with a semi-final appearance at the Australian Open but things have fallen off since then. Azarenka has failed to win any silverware so far this year but the 18th seed has an outside chance of winning the title if she can use her experience and skills to the fullest.
Azarenka’s recent form has been something of a worry. She recently lost to unseeded Alycia Parks in the very first round of the Madrid Open despite being the No.15 seed before giving a walkover in the second round of the Italian Open last week. She had disappointing outings in the preceding tournaments as well – the Charleston Open, the Miami Open and the Indian Wells Masters. Azarenka’s best performance in singles at the French Open was a Semi-final appearance in 2013 and it remains to be seen if she can better it this time around.
Bianca Andreescu is currently ranked World No.31 in women’s singles but she hasn’t been able to live up to her billing so far this season. She started the season on a good note but her form has faded out gradually as the season progressed. Her best performance so far in 2023 came at the Hua Hin Championships in February, where she reached the Semi-finals before losing to Lesia Tsurenko.
Andreescu is coming to this tournament at the back of a first-round exit from the Italian Open. Her results in the previous events haven’t been any good either. The Canadian will be desperate to put together a string of positive results. It remains to be seen if Andreescu can get over this rough patch and live up to expectations in Paris.
Date – Tuesday, 30th May
Court Type – Clay outdoor surface
Telecast – Tennis Channel
Start Time – To be Announced
Location – Paris
Match details – First Round
Azarenka and Andreescu have never played each other before on the WTA tour. This is the first professional head to head clash between the two players. On paper, Azarenka is favourite both in terms of experience and rankings. However, one can certainly not rule out the determined Canadian and she is expected to put up a tough fight. We are predicting an intense encounter with Victoria Azarenka eventually prevailing in three sets.
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