Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the WTA Roland Garros match.
Ekaterina Alexandrova has a strong opportunity to progress deep into the Roland Garros draw, especially with several top contenders having already been knocked out. After a confident opening performance in Paris, she now takes on another Italian opponent in the second round. Elisabetta Cocciaretto has only managed to win two matches in a row once this season, while Ekaterina Alexandrova has found her rhythm and is enjoying a solid run of form.
Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Elisabetta Cocciaretto’s first-round win over Taylor Townsend (No. 104) by a score of 6:3, 6:2 appears convincing on paper, but the reality was less impressive. Her opponent struggled significantly, hitting only 10 winners while committing 25 unforced errors. By comparison, Elisabetta Cocciaretto recorded 12 unforced errors, which she effectively capitalised on. On clay this season, she has managed just four wins in ten matches and has been eliminated in the second round at seven consecutive tournaments. Her return game remains a major concern—over her last five matches, she has converted only 32% of her break point opportunities (9 out of 28).
Ekaterina Alexandrova
Ekaterina Alexandrova comfortably defeated Lucia Bronzetti in the first round (6:3, 6:2), hitting 28 winners and winning 76% of points on her first serve. She has been controlling the tempo in her recent matches, having dropped no more than three service games in three of her last five appearances. Her clay-court form this season has been strong, with nine wins in twelve matches and quarter-final finishes at two of the three WTA 1000 events she has entered (Charleston and Stuttgart).
Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs Ekaterina Alexandrova Prediction
Ekaterina Alexandrova holds the edge in terms of quality, consistency, and ability to compete at the highest level. While Elisabetta Cocciaretto did clear the first hurdle, the second round of Roland Garros looks to be a significant step up against an opponent of Ekaterina Alexandrova’s calibre.
