We are back for Day 5 of the French Open and bring you predictions for some of the biggest women’s matches on this day, including Eugenie Bouchard against Timea Bacsinszky. Joining us for these picks are LWOS contributors Jeff Crady, Sam Barker, and John Lupo. For predictions of Day 5 men’s matches, click here.
Panelists’ Predictions 2016 French Open Women’s Day 5 Matches
Taylor Townsend vs Elina Svitolina
Jeff
Although Svitlotina has found traction this year and posted some good early season results since adding queen of the French dirt Justine Henin to her team, she has sputtered lately, while Townsend has been on a tear through the ITF and qualifying circuits. Townsend has had success here and has the guile and power and finesse to frustrate Svitlotina. Townsend takes the win in 3.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
Sam
It finally looks like the promising young American may be living up to her potential as three consecutive ITF finals leaves confidence sky high in the Townsend camp. On the other side of the net, Svitolina’s clay court form has been patchy at best. Townsend has always needed her big professional breakthrough and this year’s French Open may be her best chance to date.
Prediction: Townsend in 2
John:
The Ukranian has employed Justine Henin as her new coach and she already has a title in Kuala Lumpur since the partnership began. Townsend is ultra-talented, but inconsistent and the steadiness of the 18th seed should prove to be too much for the young American.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Dominica Cibulkova vs Ana Konjuh
Jeff
Cibulkova has found form once again and has proven what a dangerous player she can be when on. The small statured Slovokian more than packs a wallop in her groundstrokes to handle the power of Konjuh and gets by her in straight sets.
Prediction: Cibulkova in 2
Sam
Both players looked in mouth-watering form in round one and this has the potential to be one of the stand-out matches of the second round. Cibulkova will be the heavy favorite given her run to the final in Rome but it would be foolish to count out a serious challenge from the Croatian teenager. Experience is likely to be the deciding factor.
Prediction: Cibulkova in 3
John:
Konjuh easily defeated Arina Rodionova in the first round while Cibulková had a similarly easier time with Saisai Zheng. The Croat is powerful enough to blow Cibulková away, but she’ll need to be at her best to pull the upset.
Prediction: Cibulková in 3
Kiki Bertens vs Camila Giorgi
Jeff
A tough one to call for sure between the feast or famine Italian and the Dutch Davis Cup hero who has had a resurgence on tour this year. Bertens frustrates Giorgi enough to cause too many unforced errors and Bertens gets through to the third round in a tough three-setter.
Prediction: Bertens in 3
Sam
Italians have had a rotten time at the French Open this and it would be surprising if it got any better here. Kiki Bertens demonstrated the exceptional level she is currently playing at with a shock three-set victory over Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber. It’ll take something special to stop the Flying Dutchwoman right now and Camila Giorgi is not it.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
John:
Bertens caused the shock of the tournament, upsetting Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in the first round. Giorgi cruised past Alizé Lim in her opening match. Momentum is with the Dutchwoman, who just won in Strasbourg and despite the match being on Giorgi’s racquet, she should see off the Italian in a feisty affair.
Prediction: Bertens in 3
Timea Bacsinszky vs Eugenie Bouchard
Jeff
Bacsinszky and Bouchard will be the popcorn match of the day. The fan-favorite Swiss, who has captured the tennis fandom’s hearts with her story of redemption and inner peace, was a semifinalist last year and has found that form once again heading into the match. Bouchard, also a former semifinalist, has found confidence once again as well. Ultimately a confident Bouchard outhits a craft Bacszinsky and continues her climb back up the rankings.
Prediction: Bouchard in 3
Sam
Bouchard astounded a lot of people with how comfortably she dispatched Laura Siegmund in Round 1 but Bacsinszky poses a different kind of challenge. The Swiss star has been impressively consistent throughout her clay court swing, moving particularly well across court. Bacsinszky won in three back in Indian Wells and a repeat of this looks the most likely scenario.
Prediction: Bacsinszky in 3
John:
The 2014 Wimbledon finalist continues her comeback and looked impressive in disposing of Stuttgart finalist Laura Siegemund. Bacsinszky won Rabat and was solid in her first round victory over Silvia Soler-Espinosa. Bouchard will eventually regain her form and pull an upset like this again, but she isn’t ready right now.
Prediction: Bacsinszky in 2
Venus Williams vs Louisa Chirico
Jeff
American tennis journalists will read much into a Louisa Chirco win and be apt to reference many passing of the torch expressions when writing up the victory. If Williams had one more day rest, the victory would be hers, but after her hard fought first round win on a surface where she has never found her best game, she won’t find the magic against a surging Chirico.
Prediction: Chirico in 3
Sam
The first time Venus Williams graced Parisian dirt, Louisa Chirco was barely one year old. Nineteen years later and the elder Williams sister is fading gracefully, whilst her American counterpart is producing the form of her life. This is very much a battle of youth versus experience but on this occasion I think the young qualifier may surprise people.
Prediction: Chirico in 2
John:
Williams-Chirico: Williams had to battle past Estonian Anett Kontaveit in two tiebreaks while Chirico went the distance in knocking off fellow American Lauren Davis 8-6 in the decider. Williams’ health is always an issue, so a prediction on her matches is a wild card. I’ll take the younger American in an upset.
Prediction: Chirico in 3
Monica Puig vs Julia Georges
Jeff
Puig has had a much improved 2016 as of late. The hard-hitting youngster has long been lauded as a potential Top 10 player and is playing more so like that lately. Georges had a good lead up tourney in Nuremberg, but has always had trouble closing in the big moments. Puig outhits and out runs the big-hitting German to advance forward.
Prediction: Puig in 2
Sam
An understated gem in amongst the second round clashes, this match is finely poised. Separated by just four ranking places, this has the potential to go deep into a third set. Goerges’ career has been plagued with inconsistency but her eye-catching opening victory against Johanna Konta tips the pendulum in her favour, regardless of Puig leading the head-to-head 2-0.
Prediction: Goerges in 3
John:
Puig defeated Olga Govortsova in her first round match while Goerges hammered Johanna Konta. Both players will look to dictate with their groundstrokes. Hard to call this one and either player winning wouldn’t surrpise me, but I’ll take Puig in an tight victory.
Prediction: Puig in 3
Enjoy what you read? Check out all of LWOS’ complete coverage of the 2016 French Open here.
