We are all set for tennis at the Paris Olympics as draw heats up fast, with 18 Women’s Singles matches on Day 1. As always, we here at LWOT will predict every match for you. We split the 18 women’s matches between five articles. In addition to this one, the other four feature Iga Swiatek vs Irina-Camelia Begu, Naomi Osaka vs Angelique Kerber, Bianca Andreescu vs Clara Tauson, and Karolina Muchova vs Leylah Fernandez. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Andreas Pelekis, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will keep their medal hopes alive?

As a special for the Olympics, we will also be predicting all of the other Day 1 matches, including doubles. We will link to our other Olympic predictions at the bottom of the article. Enjoy!

Paris Olympics Day 1 Women’s Predictions

Laura Pigossi (Brazil) vs Dayana Yastremska (Ukraine)

Jordan:
Australian Open semifinalist Yastremska has certainly achieved more in the game than Pigossi. But the Brazilian showed she is dangerous at this year’s French Open, when she held a 4-0 lead against Marta Kostyuk in the deciding set, before ultimately losing. Yastremska has struggled for form since her Australian Open run as well, meaning an upset may be on the cards.
Prediction: Pigossi in 3

Andreas:
One of 140 Ukrainians at the Olympics, Yastremska will surely have lots of motivation to play for her home country. Her pace should be enough to overpower Pigossi, who is out of the Top 100 in singles and more of a doubles specialist.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2

Yesh:
On a faster court I’d take Yastremska every time. She doesn’t love the clay, though, which gives me pause. Still, she hits the ball too cleanly for the Brazilian to keep up with for too long.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3

Jasmine Paolini (Italy) vs Ana Bogdan (Romania)

Jordan:
Returning to the scene of her first Grand Slam final will probably help Paolini erase the pain of her tight Wimbledon final loss to Barbora Krejcikova. She is unlikely to be shocked by Bogdan. The Romanian is a decent clay court player but she does not have as complete a game as Paolini does.
Prediction: Paolini in 2

Andreas:
After two successful Grand Slams for Paolini, it will be interesting to see how she responds to more expectations and pressure playing for Italy. Bogdan has a powerful game alongside grit on the court, and she’s no stranger to long matches. Paolini will have to play aggressively and serve well.
Prediction: Paolini in 2

Yesh:
Has there been anyone more impressive this year than Jasmine Paolini? Sure, she’s taken home no major titles. But back-to-back Grand Slam finals? Out of nowhere? I can’t wait to see what she has in store next.
Prediction: Paolini in 2

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Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (Slovakia) vs Katie Boulter (Great Britain)

Jordan:
Boulter is certainly the more powerful of these two players. She also showed some improvement on clay by pushing Paula Badosa hard at the French Open. Yet, I am backing Schmiedlova in this one. She is a solid all-round player and Boulter usually adjusts the least quickly to clay, meaning her first match on it in two months could be dangerous for her.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 3

Andreas:
It’s been a tough couple of months for Boulter, and despite her Top 30 ranking, she’s never won a match on clay at WTA Tour level. Schiemdlova has a tricky drop shot, and made the second week of the French Open in 2023. Going for the upset here.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 3

Yesh:
Boulter looks great on grass. She barely looks like a Tour-level player anywhere else. Schmiedlova is impressive and only improving. I’ll take the Slovakian.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 2

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Danielle Collins (United States) vs Laura Siegemund (Germany)

Jordan:
Collins has impressed during her final season as a professional player, but I expect this to be an awkward first-round for her. Siegemund possesses good variety and is capable of extracting unforced errors from the American. Probably not enough to win, but it should be a competitive match.
Prediction: Collins in 3

Andreas:
This event is part of the swan song of Collins’ career, and she has a good first-round match to do some damage in the draw. Siegemund lacks pace compared to the American, and Collins shouldn’t have much to lose with her confidence.
Prediction: Collins in 3

Yesh:
Collins looked okay at the French Open two months ago, which means this should be a tight match. I think she’ll want to try and make a statement in one of the last tournaments of her career, and on such a unique stage.
Prediction: Collins in 3

Other Olympic Predictions:

Men’s Singles Featuring Novak Djokovic vs Matthew Ebden
Men’s Singles Featuring Carlos Alcaraz vs Hedy Habib
Men’s Singles Featuring Daniil Medvedev vs Rinky Hijikata
Men’s Singles Featuring Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Zizou Bergs
Men’s Doubles Featuring Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz vs Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni
Men’s Doubles Featuring Luciano Darderi and Lorenzo Musetti vs Nicolas Jarry and Alejandro Tabilo
Women’s Doubles Featuring Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula vs Daria Saville and Ellen Perez
Women’s Doubles Featuring Angelique Kerber and Laura Siegemund vs Katie Boulter and Heather Watson

Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports