It’s time to start of the Grand Slam in style when Serena Williams takes on Magdalena Rybarikova in the first round of the 2016 French Open. Williams is peaking at the perfect time with some impressive performances leading into the second Grand Slam of the year. Meanwhile, Rybarikova has struggled to gain some momentum. But she could be good enough to provide an upset for the ages.
Serena Williams is in great form. She beat Madison Keys for the Rome Masters title. She has now won 12 of her last 14 matches, the last six of which have been decided in straight sets. Williams has won 13 of her last 14 matches on clay, which shows that she’s ready for this year’s French Open.
Williams has only lost once in the first round of a Grand Slam in the 2012 French Open. She’s been sharp since with titles in 2013 and 2015. She’ll be very difficult to beat especially if she keeps her unforced errors low.
Williams has met Magdalena Rybarikova just once in her career. She won 6-1, 6-1 in the 2013 Canadian Masters. She won 70 percent of her first serve points, firing off seven aces. Williams was also solid on the return, winning 64 percent of her receiving points in the match.
Williams has won five straight matches on clay heading into Roland Garros.
Betting on Magdalena Rybarikova
Magdalena Rybarikova is just hanging around. She has been inconsistent going 9-7 in her 16 matches this year. But she did have a pretty solid run recently making the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells Masters.
Rybarikova upset Daria Gavrilova and Belinda Bencic in the second and third rounds at Indian Wells. She then won the first set of her fourth round match against Roberta Vinci before her opponent retired in the second. She lost in straight sets to Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals.
Rybarikova has no pressure on her to perform, which makes her a very dangerous underdog for Serena Williams. She’s already come off a pleasant run of upset victories in the Indian Wells Masters. She’ll need to step up her game if she is to do so this time at a grand stage.
Rybarikova has won four of her last six matches.
Writer’s Prediction
Williams (-5,000) is all business as she cruises to a straight sets victory.
