Day five sees a battle of the youngsters as Daria Kasatkina takes on Marketa Vondrousova as well as matches for Elina Svitolina and Barbora Strycova. Sam Barker, Steen Kirby and Jeff Crady make their predictions ahead of Thursday’s action.
[26] Daria Kasatkina vs. Marketa Vondrousova
Sam: It would not be a surprise if this were a Grand Slam final in the future but for now we will have to make do with this high quality affair in the second round. Vondrousova has been breathtaking so far and it says a lot that the qualifier is already the tenth favourite according to the bookies. Kasatkina will be her toughest test so far but I have faith in the Czech teenager.
Vondrousova in 2
Steen: Vondrousova has won nine matches in a row, Kasatkina won on clay in Charleston and this should be a competitive match. I’ll go with the player in the best form though.
Vondrousova in 3
Jeff: Kasatkina has been one of the tour standouts this first half of the season, but Vondrousova has been incredibly impressive over the course of this tournament. She has lost less than ten games while playing her way out of qualifying. Vondrousova has too much power and all the confidence for the crafty Kasatkina and she wins in straight sets.
Vondrousova in 2
[5] Elina Svitolina vs. Tsvetana Pironkova
Sam: Svitolina is the player in red hot form while Pironkova arrived in Roland Garros following seven straight losses. Admittedly some heads did turn when the Bulgarian upset Mona Barthel in the first round but Svitolina is a completely different class and will dismantle Pironkova.
Svitolina in 2
Steen: Pironkova finally won a match after a long losing streak but she’s still poor on clay. Svitolina by contrast is 11-1 in her last twelve matches on clay and could take home the title this tournament.
Svitolina in 2
Jeff: Svitolina may be the hottest player on tour. No longer content to be labled a defensive player, Svitolina is playing aggressive, smart tennis along with great defence. Although Pironkova had great success here last year, the typical grass court assassin has only played eight matches this season.
Svitolina in 2
[17] Anastasija Sevastova vs. Eugenie Bouchard
Sam: That infamous victory over Maria Sharapova in Madrid seems to have re-ignited a fire within Eugenie Bouchard and she has the game to test anyone in front of her. That said, Sevastova boasts an impressive clay court swing, only losing to Halep and Pavlyuchenkova. This will be a tight and abrasive affair but the Latvian should clinch it in the third.
Sevastova in 3
Steen: Sevastova should be too good on clay for an up and down Bouchard. She still brings in plenty of fans, but the Canadian lacks the consistency to pull this off.
Sevastova in 2
Jeff: Bouchard set off a firestorm with her lack of comment against Margaret Court’s discriminatory comment against the LGBT community today. Bouchard, not foreign to off court dramas, will look to remain focused against Sevastova. Sevastova has had a great 18 months and looks to continue that. Bouchard’s unevenness will cost her and Sevastova will win.
Sevastova in 3
[14] Elena Vesnina vs. Varvara Lepchenko
Sam: The pair have not met for four years and Vesnina won their only previous encounter on clay but I have a feeling it will be different this time around. Vesnina has been in rotten form and, while Lepchenko’s has not been much better, it should be enough to upset the seeded player.
Lepchenko in 2
Steen: Vesnina has a head-to-head edge and a clear rankings edge. Although she is far from a certainty in this match, the safe pick is Vesnina.
Vesnina in 2
Jeff: Although Vesnina had a great 2016, her results lately have been less than desirable. Lepchenko too has been looking to find consistency. Although Vesnina will be shaky, she has more weapons and will use them more often to win in straight sets.
Vesnina in 2
[20] Barbora Strycova vs. Alize Cornet
Sam: This is a match-up with a history of tight matches but this may not be one of them. Strycova has got the better of Cornet in their last two matches and chances are she will extend that to three. Cornet has a tendency to fall apart on home soil and it could well happen here.
Strycova in 2
Steen: Having won the last two in this head-to-head and being in better form, Strycova should overcome a partisan French crowd to defeat Cornet.
Strycova in 2
Jeff: A tour fan favourite in Strycova will take on a player that social media loves to troll in the Frenchwoman Cornet. Both are powerful and creative players with every shot in the arsenal. Cornet does love the big moment, but has sometimes struggled in them at her home slam. Strycova will be focused and not let Cornet’s antics steal victory from her.
Strycova in 3
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