Three to See, Roland Garros Day 2: Amanda Anisimova vs. Naomi Osaka; Iga Swiatek vs. Lesia Tsurenko; Rafael Nadal vs. Jordan Thompson

WATCH: Tennis Channel Live make their men's and women's singles picks for Roland Garros.

Amanda Anisimova vs. Naomi Osaka

These two power-hitting Florida dwellers have played just once, but it was a memorable match: At this year’s Australian Open, Anisimova ended Osaka’s title defense in a third-set tiebreaker. Now they’ll meet in the most-anticipated first-round encounter of the French. When you look at their past records on clay, you have to think the result will go the same way. Anisimova was a semifinalist—and nearly a finalist—here back in pre-pandemic 2019, and she has had a consistent 2022 on the surface, making the semifinals in Charleston and the quarterfinals in Madrid and Rome. Osaka, meanwhile, has never been past the third round at Roland Garros, and has played just two matches on dirt this year. All of which makes this an unfortunate draw for Anisimova, who seems ready to do some damage in Paris. To do it, she’ll have to start by beating a four-time Slam champion. Winner: Anisimova

UPDATE: Anisimova wins, 7-5, 6-4. Check out our Day 2 live blog for a recap and instant reaction; more coverage to come.

Iga Swiatek vs. Lesia Tsurenko

Swiatek is No. 1, Tsurenko is No. 121. Swiatek has recently won titles in Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart and Rome. Tsurenko has come out of the qualifying draw to be here. So there’s no chance that the 20-year-old Pole will have any trouble when she meets the 32-year-old Ukrainian for the first time, in Monday’s opening match in Chatrier, right? Right. Probably. Swiatek, who brings a 28-match win streak to Paris, hasn’t been having any trouble with anybody lately.

Still, as we saw when the second-best WTA player of the spring, Ons Jabeur, lost on Sunday, momentum doesn’t mean everything, and the pressure of high expectations is real. Tsurenko is ranked 121 now, but she has been as high as No. 23, so she should at least be able to make Swiatek play, and feel a little bit of that pressure. Winner: Swiatek

UPDATE: Swiatek wins, 6-2, 6-0, for her 29th consecutive victory. Check our Day 2 live blog for more coverage.

Rafael Nadal vs. Jordan Thompson

What’s the most crucial extremity at this year’s Roland Garros? Nadal’s left foot, of course. His chronic condition in that part of his body forced him off the tour in the middle of 2021, and forced him out of Rome last week. So far he seems to be practicing normally in Paris, but it could seemingly flare up again at any time during the next two weeks. If it does, his chances of winning a 14th French Open would be slim; it it doesn’t, he’s a co-favorite, with Djokovic and Alcaraz. Nadal and Thompson have played once, on indoor hard courts, in Bercy, and Rafa won in two sets. Thompson’s speed is his best attribute, so he should force Nadal to hit a lot of balls, and test that foot to the fullest. Winner: Nadal