French Open Tips & Preview – Anastasija Sevastova V Jennifer Brady

WILL EVANS’ daily preview serves up French Open tips for what shapes as a close-fought contest between veteran Anastasija Sevastova and Australian Open finalist Jennifer Brady. 

History: First meeting

Final Thoughts: In one of the most fascinating first-round match-ups at the French Open, world No.48 Anastasija Sevastova takes on 13th seed – and narrow $1.80 favourite – Jennifer Brady.

Sevastova, who has been ranked as high as 11th, reached the fourth round in her last visit to the French Open in 2019. She was also a US Open semi-finalist in 2018, while three of her four WTA titles came on clay.

The Latvian 31-year-old has produced some reasonable results during the 2021 clay swing. She reached the Round of 16 of the Madrid Open, including an upset of Johanna Konta. Sevastova lost in the second round of the Italian Open to ninth seed Karolina Pliskova.

Brady surged to a career-high ranking earlier this year after reaching the Australian Open final, while she also reached a maiden Grand Slam semi at the 2020 US Open. She put up a strong fight in losses to Naomi Osaka in both.

But the 26-year-old American has a modest French Open record in four previous visits, losing twice in the first round and twice in the second. She was rolled by qualifier Clara Tauson first up at Roland Garros last year. Here overall first-round Grand Slam record is just 6-8 – including losses in four of her last six.

Brady made the last 16 at the Madrid Open – beating Venus Williams and former French Open champ Jelena Ostapenko along the way – before withdrawing from her second-round match in Rome. She subsequently decided to part ways with coach Michael Geserer.

Brady’s first-round jitters could be a factor. The experienced Sevastova is the superior clay-court player and her clever all-round game will be tough for baseline specialist Brady to overcome.

Tip: Result – Sevastova @ $2.00