It’s Day 6 of the French Open, and we’re here again to predict all of the best Roland Garros matches for you. Joininh us today to predict these matches are myself, LWOS contributor Bradey Bononcioni and John Lupo, and editor Niall Clarke. For our LWOS predictions of the Day 6 men’s matches, click here.
Panelists’ Predictions 2016 French Open Women’s Day 6 Matches
Sloane Stephens vs Tsvetana Pironkova:
Niall:
Pironkova is a fairly tricky player but has a 0-3 head to head against Stephens. The 23-year-old though can often look disinterested on court and that may work in Pironkova’s favour. The American got the better of the Bulgarian here last year and will likely do so again this time around but it is not set in stone.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
John:
The Bulgarian surprised Sara Errani in the first round and backed up her big win with another victory over Johanna Larsson. Stephens has had two relatively comfortable wins to get to the third round. On any other surface, this would be a close three-setter, but clay gives the American a huge edge.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Yesh:
Stephens is the easy pick here, but I would be considered. Pironkova has proven herself more than just a grass-court wonder in recent years and she always makes deep runs out of nowhere. Stephens has the power to hit through her, but I think this will be a struggle.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Bradey:
Stephens has been incredibly consistent at Roland Garros. Despite never making the QFs, she’s made the fourth round in her last four appearances. I expect this to continue this year.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Lucie Safarova vs Samantha Stosur:
Niall:
This match-up could go three sets as both are former finalists here and can certainly go on clay. Safarova is back playing well after injury whilst Stosur has had a good clay season thus far. The head to head however is very lopsided in favour of the Czech (11-3) and one them victories for the Aussie was a walkover. Safarova gets the job done but this time it goes the distance.
Prediction: Safarova in 3
John:
Meeting for the third time in four weeks, the two former Roland Garros finalists know each other’s games quite well. A tough match to call, but a slight edge to Safarova based on her win over Stosur in Prague.
Prediction: Safarova in 3
Yesh:
These two have quite the history. This should be a great match. Top-level Stosur is better than Safarova, but Safarova is the more consistent player. This should absolutely be the most-watched match of the third round and could easily go either way.
Prediction: Stosur in 3
Bradey:
Despite not playing much this year, Safarova has gained confidence from her title run in Prague. To make matters worse for Stosur, she has come in with wrist problems and said she cannot hit through her backhand. The h2h is also in favor of the Czech.
Prediction: Safarova in 2
Barbora Strycova vs Agniezska Radwanska:
Niall:
For someone who doesn’t like the clay, Radwanska hasn’t half started the French Open well. The Pole overcame two tough matches in straight sets, but Strycova offers a different challenge. The Czech doesn’t bring the power of a Jovanovski or Garcia, but she is very tricky. Neither player is at her best on the clay, so this might come down to the mental battle in which Radwanska would be favoured.
Prediction: Radwanska in 3
John:
The Czech is a dangerous opponent, as evidencdd by her run to the Dubai final. Whether or not she has the patience to outwork Radwańska and commit to long points is the question. You know what you’ll get with the Pole: steadiness, consistency and variety. She might be vulnerable this fortnight, but it won’t be here.
Prediction: Radwanska in 2
Yesh:
Radwanska is very vulnerable here and the Pole is just an upset waiting to happen. It hasn’t happened yet, though, and the odds are against Strycova for it. Radwanska is one of the top competitors in the world, though, so however far she gets it won’t be a surprise. Still, each additional win just feels like she is staving off the inevitable, not pushing forward the way a #2 seed should (ironically enough, we’re seeing the same from the men’s #2 seed as well).
Prediction: Radwanska in 3
Bradey:
While both players are known for their craft, it tends to be nullified on the slow clay of Roland Garros. Radwanska reached the QF in 2013 but that’s the best either has done in this slam. Strycova tends to get overemotional on court which will likely be the deciding point in this match.
Prediction: Radwanska in 3
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova:
Niall:
A battle of the Russians here. Kuznetsova showed good form in beating Heather Watson and is a former champion here. Pavlyuchenkova has been playing well recently though and could give her compatriot problems. However Sveta is looking good and is naturally a better clay courter so she’ll come through a tough match.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 3
John:
The 2009 champion meets her hard-hitting, but erratic, compatriot for a spot in the Round of 16. Pavlyuchenkova has the weapons to beat Kuznetsova, but lacks in mental strength and that will show up in key moments of this match. Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
Yesh:
This should be an absolute power battle between two impressive Russians. Both have huge groundstrokes and both lack constistency. The one who makes the fewest mistakes wins.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 3
Bradey:
Former champion Kuznetsova has lost some of the fire power she once had but is still a force on clay. Pavlyuchenkova is known for her ups and downs and believe that Kuznetsova will be the steadier one throughout. Definitely see it going the distance though.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 3
Annika Beck vs Irina-Camelia Begu:
Niall:
Begu could still be recovering from her epic against CoCo Vandeweghe in the last round. It went to 10-8 in the third with two tiebreakers preceding it, what a clash! Beck is a solid player in good form at the moment and she will cause problems. Begu though will have too much game for the German and will advance after two tight sets.
Prediction: Begu in 2
John:
The German eliminated Kateryna Bondarenko, the conqueror of Roberta Vinci, while Begu played the longest match on the WTA Tour, 3 hours 38 minutes, to outlast Coco Vandeweghe 10-8 in the 3rd set. Since neither have big weapons and both should be tired, it’s hard to make a call on this one. I’ll go with the underdog.
Prediction: Beck in 3
Yesh:
This should be another great match. Begu might be fatigued, but even so coming back from an extended third set is something that most professional players can do. If it goes to a third set, though, we might see fatigue become a major factor. Beck will be motivated to match her career best at a Slam, which one more win will accomplish.
Prediction: Beck in 3
Bradey:
Beck is a real scrapper, she makes anybody earn a match they are playing. Begu is known for her mental walkabouts in matches as demonstrated against Vandeweghe. I Can see Beck wearing her down in 3.
Prediction: Beck in 3
Enjoy what you read? Check out all of LWOS’ complete coverage of the 2016 French Open here.
