The Stats Zone
May 25 2023, 19:04 · Adam Evans

Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova – First Round – Preview & Prediction | 2023 French Open

Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova – First Round – Preview & Prediction | 2023 French Open

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THE FACTS

When is Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova on and what time does it start? Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova will take place on Sunday 28th May, 2023 – not before 12:00 (UK)

Where is Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova taking place? Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova will take place at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France

What surface is Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova being played on? Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova will take place on an outdoor clay court

Where can I get tickets for Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova

What channel is Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova on in the UK? Eurosport have the rights to the French Open in the UK

Where can I stream Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova in the UK? discovery+ subscribers can stream Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova live while the match can be streamed on Eurosport Player and Amazon Prime Video if it is televised

THE PREDICTION

World number eight Maria Sakkari reached the semi-finals of Roland-Garros two years ago, beating then first-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals before defeat to eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova. The 27-year-old still owns just one WTA title from the 2019 Rabat Open, on clay, but she has finished runner-up on six occasions and lost in the semi-finals of many more as a top-quality player with a clear mental block in the latter stages of tournaments. Sakkari also made the semi-finals of the US Open in 2021, again losing to the eventual champion in Emma Raducanu, but she has failed to make the second week in each of her last four Grand Slam appearances.

This looks like one of the better first round fixtures at Roland-Garros between two heavyweight players as former world number 19 Karolina Muchova continues to enjoy her return from injury on tour. Clay is almost certainly the 26-year-old’s weakest surface but a run to the round of 16 at the Italian Open last week needed a top performance from Paula Badosa to halt. Muchova stunned Sakkari in straight sets in the second round here last season and she leads their head-to-head 2-0 at tour-level having won both encounters on clay. With Sakkari prone to more than her fair share of three-setters, back Muchova to earn at least one to avoid picking a winner.