Xiyu Wang vs Yuliia Starodubtseva Prediction & Picks - WTA French Open

Prediction published on 5/29/26, 1:34 AM  by Lou Aguila | Modified on 5/30/26 at 3:50 PM in Tennis Picks

After pulling off a massive upset win over the world’s No.2 Elena Rybakina, Yuliia Startodubtseva will vie for her first-ever appearance in the round of 16 at a Grand Slam tournament on Friday.

Starodubtseva will roll into the third round as the betting favorite against China’s Xiyu Wang – another surprise entrant in the round of 32.

Wang secured his slot in the third round at Roland Garros after besting Hailey Baptiste 5-4, ret. Baptiste, who pulled off back-to-back deep runs at the Miami and Madrid Open, was forced to retire from the match due to a knee injury.

Match Analysis:

Starodubtseva will not blow this opportunity of advancing to the fourth round of a major tournament for the first time in her career.

The Ukrainian has made it to the third round of the French Open in back-to-back years following her stunning win over Rybakina.

Wang is riding the momentum of a five-match winning streak, which includes three wins in the qualifiers. However, Starodubtseva has demonstrated a much higher level of tennis in her last two matches, notably in her showdown with Rybakina, in which she showcased superb ball-striking and shot-making under pressure.