World No.3 Jessica Pegula looks to build on her strong 2023 with another deep run, this time at the French Open. She will play her fellow American Danielle Collins, hoping to extend her head-to-head to 4-0. The most recent meeting came at Miami this year, where Pegula held on to take the match in straights 6-1 7-6.
Collins is undoubtedly talented and possesses power that few other women on the tour do but her health has been her biggest obstacle to maintaining a spot in the Top 20, something she is way more than capable of with a run of matches and good luck. She has played just four matches since the start of March and only one on clay although the surface she lost to Shelby Rogers on plays dramatically different to any traditional European clay tournament.
Like Aryna Sabalenka, there may be a risk of overrating a shock Rome loss for Pegula. She lost a three setter to Taylor Townsend which will have come as a disappointment, even if the American was underranked due to not playing a full season yet since her return from maternity leave. Pegula rarely loses early and is incredibly consistent but that big slam win for her has remained elusive the the third seed yet to make it to the final four at any slam.
While Collins has the potential trouble Pegula on her day, it does feel like her good days are incredibly hard to predict for a number of reasons. Pegula should be able to remain consistent enough to come through this one even if initially it may be a scrappy affair. Another quarter final should be the minimum for Pegula here with some inconsistent opponents projected on her way to the latter stages.
Prediction – Jessica Pegula in straight sets
