Today see’s the women start their campaign in qualifying as they try to make the main draw of the French Open.
In what is a jam packed schedule on day two, plenty of matches are in the order of play, after rain had an impact on yesterday’s qualifying.
Eight matches, out of the 64, were not completed yesterday and are scheduled to finish today.
This included two Australian matches with Alex Bolt and Jason Kubler still in action in their contests. On top of those eight, another 48 are to be played in women’s qualifying, and 16 as the second round of men’s qualifying starts.
It wouldn’t surprise me if we struggle to complete them all.
Yesterday was a good day for Australia.
John-Patrick Smith defeated John Millman, in the battle of the Australians, and Luke Saville defeated Farrukh Dustov.
Ben Mitchell, who has been out with injury for three months, was defeated in straight sets in the other match on Day 1.
Today see’s five Australians compete at the French Open. Two of those, Alex Bolt and Jason Kubler, continue their matches after play was suspended.
You can read my thoughts on those matches, here.
In second round action Luke Saville faces Guilherme Clezar, who defeated Ben Mitchell last night.
In women’s qualifying, Australia has just two representatives.
After opting not to take any wildcards for the event, in the main draw and qualifying draw, Australia is represented in women’s qualifying by Olivia Rogowska and Anastasia Rodionova.
Rogowska, who was in contention for the main draw wildcard, will now have to progress into the main draw the long. Tennis Australia will be hoping the decision – to not give her a wildcard – fires up the Victorian to prove them wrong.
Two entries is the lowest in qualifying at the French since 2009. Ironically Rodionova competed in the draw that year.
Here is a look at those two matches tonight, and a look at Saville’s match against Clezar.
Olivia Rogowska vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
If Rogowska can get past Sasnovich then the Victorian has a good chance of qualifying for the first time.
Since 2009, when she made the second round as a wildcard, Rogowska has been forced to qualify for the event. Her best appearance was the final round last year when she lost to Sofia Shapatava.
She can repeat that performance, and even qualify, but it will be tough.
These two have faced each other before with the Belarussian winning in three sets in Tashkent last year.
Both players are evenly matched, and this will be close.
The key for Rogowska is her serve, and getting plenty of first serves in.
She also needs to remain focused and not lose control of the match if her opponent gets on top. If Rogowska wins tonight her biggest rival looks to be either Lin Zhu or Nastassja Burnett.
Zhu is the fourth seed for qualifying, but isn’t great on clay. Burnett, on the other hand, is great on clay and she is dangerous in this section of the draw.
Rogowska can qualify for the event but she will need to be at her best.
Anastasia Rodionva vs Julia Glushko
These two players have a history of French Open qualifying matches with both facing each other in 2013. If tonight is a repeat of that, we are in for a treat.
That match was won by Glushko 8-6 in the third, after Rodionova won the second set 6-4.
These two have faced each other twice in their career with Glushko winning the other match at the US Open in 2013.
Rodionova is a tough player to beat. She fights for every point and makes sure she tries to rattle her opponent in any way possible. The Aussie can defeat Glushko but will need to take her chances.
In the other two matches, she lost plenty of points on her second serve. That needs to be rectified to see the Australian successful.
Rodionova faces a tough pathway into the main draw. She could face potential matches against Cagla Buyukakcay in second round and Andrea Hlavackova in the final round.
I can’t see her winning either of those matches and a second round spot looks to be the best she can do.
One thing is certain, she won’t let anyone beat her easily.
Luke Saville vs Guilherme Clezar
Can Saville exact revenge after Clezar defeated another Australian last night? With the form of both players, I believe he can.
Clezar was broken four times last night against Mitchell and Saville will look to repeat that feat tonight.
With the South Australians serve holding up well against Dustov, he could have enough chances to win sets.
He also has more match fitness under his belt than Mitchell and better form on clay.
Saville is a heavy outsider in the match but I rate his chances. He can certainly win a set and it wouldn’t surprise me if he wins.
Watch with interest on the croweater.
The women’s draw itself:
Brazilian Teliana Pereira is the number one seed. She is the only player in the draw to win a WTA event this year after winning in Bogota.
The oldest player in the draw is Kimiko Date Krumm. At 44 years young she is also a former semi-finalist at the French Open. She achieved the feat 20 years ago.
Sorana Cirstea, from Romania, is also a former quarter finalist in the draw. She is currently 145 in the world.
Finally, at the other end of the scale, Catherine Bellis is the youngest player in the draw. At 16 years of age the American is already inside the top 200. She has been number one in juniors and made the final at the French Open juniors last year.
The draw consists of 96 players with just 12 qualifying for the main draw. France has the most players in the draw with 9.
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Former Wimbledon champion, double grand slam winner and Australian Open finalist Garbine Muguruza has announced her retirement from tennis at the age of 30.…
Rafael Nadal has hailed the brilliance of Alex de Minaur, calling him "a great player" after the Australian forced the Spanish legend to say…
The clay season promises to be one of high level and tight margins. With the Monte Carlo open just around the corner, it will…
In incredible scenes, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz's quarter-final clash with Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells was halted abruptly due to a "bee invasion." Less…
Marathon man Jordan Thompson has finally clinched his first ATP Tour title, with the Australian upsetting Norwegian Casper Ruud to lift the trophy in…
Alex de Minaur has earned the perfect 25th birthday present, booking a place in the final of the Rotterdam Open with an emphatic revenge…
