We’re into the second seed of a Slam and here to predict more matches. From now on we will be predicting every match, so here are our thoughts on the Day 7 matches. Predicting today will be myself (Yesh Ginsburg) and LWOS contributors Bradey Bononcioni and Jeff Crady.
Panelists’ Predictions 2016 French Open Women’s Day 8 Matches
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Garbine Muguruza
Jeff:
Possibly the most intriguing matchup of the day as a past slam winner and future Hall of Famer takes on one of the up and coming WTA and probable slam winner. Both possess fire power and fitness and both possess the ability to get tight and lose their game in the big moments. Sveta has had a resurgent 2016 and that will continue as she will feel inspired and find both the power and craftiness to keep Mugurza off balance.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 3
Bradey
Muguruza has been in red hot form throughout the event. Kuznetsova, even though she is showing a resurgence in 2016 and playing by far her favorite Slam, I believe she lost a lot of the firepower that made her a multi-Slam champion. As a result, I believe Muguruza takes this in 3.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Yesh
This is a tough choice. I have been consistently down on Kuznetsova and consistently wrong. She hasn’t quite won me over yet, though. I think Muguruza is a woman on a mission and the former champion won’t be enough to stop her.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Samantha Stosur vs Simona Halep
Jeff:
Stosur surprised the tennis world with her dominant performance over last year’s French Open runner-up Lucie Safarova. Stosur has found some of her best tennis in years these past few weeks. But her run ends against a surging Halep, who has finally played enough matches to regain her confidence and form.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Bradey
Halep struggled in her previous encounter against Naomi Osaka and seems to be up and down in her form. Stosur, while coming in with a wrist injury in which she couldn’t hit backhands in practice, has shown a lot of grit to get to this fourth round. Stosur struggles against tall flat hitters but her kick serve can be effective against shorter players. I think Stosur wins this in 3.
Prediction: Stosur in 3
Yesh
Stosur is probably still not at 100% but she has shown incredible toughness in this tournament. She is a former Slam champion and has tremendous power to hit through the clay. Halep is a smart player who can exploit any physical weakness, but I think the Aussie pulls through.
Prediction: Stosur in 3
Irina-Camelia Begu vs Shelby Rogers
Jeff:
Begu has been the darling of the first half of the 2016 WTA season playing the best and most consistent tennis of her career. Rogers has been the darling of the this edition of the French Open with her gutsy power and deep shots earning two bagel sets over Petra Kvitova to reach the 4th round. Begu proves too consistent for Rogers and continues her magical season in 3 sets.
Prediction: Begu in 3
Bradey
Shelby Rogers has had the tournament of her career to get into the fourth round. She stands a chance against Begu but the latter’s experience and natural clay court game should be able to edge this.
Prediction: Begu in 3
Yesh
It would be nice to pick Rogers as she has had the tournament of her life here. I just can’t pull the trigger on it against Begu. What Rogers did against Kvitova was crazy impressive, but she hasn’t yet shown an ability to sustain a high level in her career. It would be great to see it start now, but we can’t predict it.
Prediction: Begu in 3
Tsvetana Pironkova vs Agniezska Radwanska
Jeff:
Neither Pironkova or Radwanska have been known for their clay court prowess, but both find themselves having a great French Open. Both play a crafty, sneaky sort of tennis that involves forcing the opponents into difficult positions and into errors. Radwanska has been in more big moments and pulls through in a tight two-setter.
Prediction: Radwanska in 2
Bradey
This is an interesting matchup because both players prefer the grass courts. Seeing them in the second week of Roland Garros is something different. They have played 11 times dating back to 10 years ago with Radwanska commanding a 9-2 h2h. Based on history I believe Radwanska takes this in two.
Prediction: Radwanska in 2
Yesh
I have been waiting for Pironkova to take her place at the top of the tour since she started making deep Wimbledon runs. She has finally put together an all-court game that plays on all surfaces. Radwanska is incredibly talented but clay is not her forte. I think this is finally the round where someone takes her out.
Prediction: Pironkova in 3
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