It’s Day 9 of the French Open, and we’re predicting all 4 remaining women’s Round of 16 matches. Predicting today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), along LWOS contributors Linda Celia Ellis, Bradey Bononcioni, and John Lupo.
Panelists’ Predictions 2016 French Open Women’s Day 9 Matches
Madison Keys vs Kiki Bertens
Linda:
Bertens is a surprise making it this deep into the tournament but in doing so she has now guaranteed herself a place on her country’s Olympic team. At #58 inn the WTA rankings, Bertens will probably be overpowered by American Madison Keys, who was tested by the hard hitting Monica Puig in the previous round.
Prediction: Keys in 2
John:
The Dutchwoman has had the tournament of her life, knocking out Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in the first round and Daria Kasatkina in the last round, clinching her spot in the Olympics. Keys has shown improved maturity and patience on clay and her control and power should see her through the ever-improving Bertens. Prediction: Keys in 2
Yesh:
Bertens is having an amazing tournament here, but Keys is in-form and has the power to just blast Bertens off the court. It would surprise me if this one was close.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Bradey:
Madison Keys has built up a series of strong runs on clay in the past few weeks; reaching the final in Rome and now the round of 16 in Paris. Bertens is the biggest shock of the tournament however, taking out the Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in the first round, as well as the Williams sisters in doubles today. Both are strong hitters; Keys has the experience, but Bertens has the stronger clay court game and will likely hold up in long rallies in the slower conditions.
Prediction: Bertens in 3
Venus Williams vs Timea Bacsinszky
Linda:
This has the potential to be a great match, although clay is not the best surface for either player. Bacsinszky has a lot of variety in her game and she can handle the power that Williams delivers. If Bacsinszky plays a smart match and does not let Williams get “into a groove” she could outlast her in this compelling match up.
Prediction: Bacsinszky in 3
John:
The Swiss is one of the hottest players on tour and figures to be able to handle Williams’ power easier than normal on the clay. The pressure is on the 2001 Roland Garros finalist as this may be her last best chance to reach a major semifinal. She’ll have an opportunity, but come up just short.
Prediction: Bacsinszky in 2
Yesh:
I’ve been down on Venus all tournament, but she always has potential to go deep when her body can handle it. She is still more talented than Bacsinszky, but the Swiss is more consistent at this point in her career. This looks like a great match.
Prediction: Venus Williams in 3
Bradey:
Venus is having her best run on the clay of Paris in over six years. She took out Frenchwoman Alize Cornet with a bagel in the third. Bacsinszky has quietly moved her way through the draw but the big question is if her forehand will hold up in the crucial moments. She has a very extreme grip which can be rushed by the power of Venus Williams. Prediction: Venus Williams in 3
Serena Williams vs Elina Svitolina
Linda:
Ranked #20 in the world, Svitolina has faced Williams three previous times and she did manage to take a set from her at their meeting at the Australian Open in 2015. However, on clay where Williams will have time to set up her power shots, Svitolina will have trouble.
Prediction: Serena Williams in 2
John:
Williams had a test in her last round against Kristina Mladenovic and figures to get another one here in the form of the ever-rising Ukranian. Solid and steady, Svitolina took a set off of the world #1 at last year’s Australian Open and figures to have a chance to pull off the upset. Regardless of the outcome, Svitolina will represent herself well. Prediction: Serena Williams in 3
Yesh:
Serena is going to lose in this tournament at some point, most likely. She is not quite in Slam-winning form. But she has not yet met a player here who can beat her. Svitolina can put up a fight, but I don’t think she has the game to beat the younger Williams unless Serena is having a bad day.
Prediction: Serena Williams in 3
Bradey:
Serena is the defending champion and hasn’t looked her best so far. However this is where she tends to get serious and raise her level of play. Svitolina is a well-rounded player but she doesn’t have the weaponry to contend with the American.
Prediction: Serena Williams in 2
Yulia Putinseva vs Carla Suarez-Navarro
Linda:
Suarez-Navarro is the #12 seed and Putinseva is ranked #60 in the WTA rankings. Although Putinseva has had some significant wins this year, defeating Timea Bacsinszky and Kristina Mladenovic, neither of those wins were on clay. Suarez Navarro is on her favorite surface and has had a strong season so far.
Prediction: Suarez-Navarro in 2
John:
Suarez Navarro should feel right at home on clay and a player with more power will stand in front of her. Experience will be on the Spaniard’s side as Putintseva is making her first career round of 16 appearance at a major. Feisty and sometimes controversial, she’ll make it interesting, but the 12th seed figures to have too much for the Kazakh. Prediction: Suárez-Navarro in 2
Yesh:
Putinseva has had a good week, but she’s out of her league against Suarez-Navarro. This should be one of the least-exciting matches this round.
Prediction: Suarez-Navarro in 2
Bradey:
Putintseva is a fiery character who has blown her way through the draw with incredibly efficiency, which included a win over Andrea Petkovic in the second round. She’ll have to bring more of the same to take out the foxy clay courter Suarez-Navarro, who won the biggest title of her career earlier this year in Doha. But she’ll most likely be frustrated by the veteran’s craft.
Prediction: Suarez-Navarro in 3
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