We’re off to a bit of a late start with this, but we’re back with more Panelists’ Predictions for you at this year’s French Open. Joining us for the women’s matches on Day 4 are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), editor Niall Clarke, and contributor John Lupo. Check out day 4 predictions for men’s matches here.
Panelists’ Predictions 2016 French Open Women’s Day 4 Matches
Caroline Garcia vs Agnieszka Radwanska:
Niall:
Undoubtedly the pick of the Round 2 matches on show for Day 4. Garcia has tons of talent but has yet to put it all together. At the French Open she has often felt the pressure and crumbled under it; can she overcame that against Radwanska? The Pole is not at her best on clay and is vulnerable to an upset here, but Garcia might get nervous with a lead and lose out.
Prediction: Radwanska in 3
John
The Frenchwoman won Nuremberg last week and looked solid in her first round win over Lesia Tsurenko. Radwańska barely broke a sweat in crushing Bojana Jovanovski. Garcia is due for a signature win in a major and will push Radwańska, but the Pole should progress.
Prediction: Radwanska in 3
Yesh
This match has huge upset potential written all over it. We saw two of the top five seeds go down on Day 3, and Day 4 looks ripe for a third. The only question is whether what will surely be a raucous French crowd will spur Garcia on to victory or whether it will just add to the pressure on her.
Prediction: Radwanska in 3
Myrtille Goerges vs Garbine Muguruza:
Niall
Another French player will look to cause a surprise as Goerges faces the fourth-seeded Muguruza. The Spaniard has not looked convincing and if the crowd can motivate their compatriot then it could be interesting. That said, Muguruza should in theory make quick work of this one.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
John
The Spaniard survived an opening round scare from Anna Schmiedlová while Georges upset Christina McHale in 3 sets, only losing 2 games in the final two sets. The occasion will most likely prove to be too much for the French youngster and Muguruza should gain a third round spot fairly easily.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Yesh
Garbine Muguruza brought herself into the tennis limelight last year and almost did the opposite this week by struggling against Schmiedlova. The upset potential is here, especially if Muguruza isn’t at her best. Still, Georges is too inexperienced on the big stages to be a pick here.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Marjlana Lucic-Baroni vs Naomi Osaka:
Niall
At the opposite ends of their respective careers, veteran Lucic-Baroni meets rising star Osaka in an intriguing match up. The Japanese player has a very promising career ahead of her, but Lucic’s experience and good form will likely see her through to the third round.
Prediction: Lucic-Baroni in 2
John
The Japanese teenager scored a mild upset in round one, defeating 32nd seed Jeļena Ostapenko while Lucic-Baroni cruised past Daniela Hantuchová. In what will be a hard-hitting affair, experience should prevail over youth with the 34-year-old Lucic-Baroni just edging the 18-year-old Osaka.
Prediction: Lucic-Baroni in 3
Yesh
This is a fascinating matchup of young raw power against older raw power. This should be fun to watch and should be a relative toss-up. I’ll take the youngster coming off of her upset over Ostapenko with a little more momentum, though.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Heather Watson:
Niall
With the Russian, you never know what you are going to get. Watson is generally quite solid from the baseline and will keep herself in rallies, so this match will come down to which Kuznetsova shows up. The former champion has been in some decent form recently whilst Watson has struggled with her consistency. This match could go three sets, and Kuznetsova is the likely victor.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 3
John
In what could be one of the best second-round matches of the tournament, the 2009 champion takes on the steady Brit. Watson was 2 points from upsetting Serena at Wimbledon last year and won Monterrey this year. In a tournament that has seen both Victoria Azarenka and Angelique Kerber lose, an upset could be on the cards. I’ll take the leap of faith and go with the Brit.
Prediction: Watson in 2
Yesh
This match will be on Kuznetsova’s racket, at least figuratively. If she plays her best, she wins. Of course, she so seldom plays her best nowadays, especially for full matches. And it will probably take a full match of high-quality tennis to beat Watson–at least if Watson can keep her game in order. It will be a battle of nerves and who cracks the least. Or maybe just who doesn’t crack last.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 3
Coco Vandeweghe vs Irinia-Camelia Begu:
Niall
American fans will have a keen eye on Vandeweghe as she attempts to overcome Begu. The big-serving American has a powerful game and could cause a lot of trouble if she is firing. Clay is not her best surface though and Begu has a very solid and consistent game that could frustrate Vandeweghe.
Prediction: Begu in 2
John
The American battled past Naomi Broady in her opener while the 25th seed slipped by Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Facing a second straight American, Begu will see plenty of big serves and powerful groundstrokes, but her steadiness should prevail. Prediction:
Begu in 2
Yesh
Begu struggled against American Bethanie Mattek-Sands in her first round. While Mattek-Sands has much more finesse than Vandeweghe, Coco just has too much power, even if clay is not her favorite surface.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 3
Enjoy what you read? Check out all of LWOS’ complete coverage of the 2016 French Open here.
