The second round of the French Open begins on Day 4. Every woman playing on Wednesday already has a match under her belt. We’ve seen how they’re playing before they take the court on Day 4. And, we’re here to predict these Day 4 matches for you. (We also have two other sets of Day 4 predictions. One features Johanna Konta vs Lauren Davis and the other headlines Sloane Stephens vs Sara Sorribes Tormo.) Predicting these matches today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Jim Smith, and Tracey Essex.
French Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions
Elina Svitolina vs Kateryna Kozlova
Jim:
After a miserable start to the clay-court season for Svitolina, the Ukrainian seemed to be back to her best in the first round, besting Venus Williams in straight sets. In that match, she was able to combine aggressive hitting with some fine defensive play. Get that balance right again and she should be in for another good day at the office against Kozlova.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Tracey:
After bringing in a straight sets win against Venus Williams, Ukrainian superstar Elina Svitolina should be feeling more than confident. In fact, after starting her French Open campaign against one of the tour’s toughest, little should concern Svitolina going forward. While Kateryna Kozlova played a solid opening match and had played well in Madrid and Rome, Svitolina is a top tier talent–one that Kozlova just can’t fend off.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Yesh:
It looks like a match against Venus Williams may have been all Svitolina needed to get back into top form. Her serve still needs a bit of work, but if she plays at her Round 1 level again, she should easily move on.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Anastasia Potapova vs Marketa Vondrousova
Jim:
Both Potapova and Vondrousova scored statement wins in the first round, and this could well prove to be one of the most intriguing matches of the day. Vondrousova did win their only previous match earlier this year in Budapest, but that was on a hard court. Potapova, as she showed in dismantling Angelique Kerber in the first round, is far more at home on the clay. Expect her to avenge that Budapest defeat on her preferred terre battue.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Tracey:
Potapova’s first round success should have her soaring. But, how much of the victory was a result of an ailing Angelique Kerber? It remains to be seen if the Russian teen is capable of a deep run or just got a lucky opening round break. Rising Czech star Marketa Vondrousova crushed Potapova in Budapest two months ago. I think this match will be much closer than their Budapest face-off, but it’s Vondrousova who will come through once again.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Yesh:
Potapova pulled off one of the more shocking wins of the first round, but Kerber wasn’t fully healthy and we shouldn’t take too much away from that match. Vondrousova, meanwhile, is an up-and-coming top player, and getting better every week. Expect her to go deep here.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Anastasija Sevastova vs Mandy Minella
Jim:
Sevastova has never played her best tennis at Roland Garros, with a third-round showing in 2017 her best effort to date in the French capital. But the Latvian has a game well-suited to the clay and looked good in brushing aside Luksika Kumkhum in the first round. She seems unlikely to find things quite so straightforward against Mandy Minella, but she should nonetheless have the guile and court craft to conquer the Luxembourger.
Prediction: Sevastova in 3
Tracey:
Mandy Minella’s strong return game propelled her past Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. That, and Pavlyuchenkova’s nine double faults moved Minella through to the second round. While Anastasija Sevastova hasn’t been demonstrating any spectacular results, she continues to send off lesser level opponents–which is what she should do up against Mandy Minella.
Prediction: Sevastova in 2
Yesh:
Sevastova looked good in her first-round match, but she’s got a terrible track record at the French Open. (And at Slams in general, aside from a few US Open runs.) Minella is a crafty player, and don’t be surprised if she can frustrate the Latvian enough to score an upset.
Prediction: Minella in 3
Garbine Muguruza vs Johanna Larsson
Jim:
Muguruza’s French Open triumph in 2016 seems quite a long time ago now, but it continues to speak to her quality on a clay court. She also seems to play her best tennis when under the radar so a big fortnight for the Spaniard isn’t out of the question. Her powerful, penetrating groundstrokes should give her more than enough to fend off the challenge of Sweden’s Johanna Larsson.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Tracey:
Garbine Muguruza withstood the test of Taylor Townsend. After dropping the first set 7-5, the Spaniard cleaned up her errors, sharpened up her serve and blasted her way to an opening round win. Johanna Larsson came to Paris having lost nine of her last 10 matches, so her win against Rybarikova has to feel pretty good. If Muguruza starts off serving strong, she’ll run away with the match in short order.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Yesh:
Muguruza started slow against Taylor Townsend, but she overcame it to move on. Larsson doesn’t quite have the weapons that Townsend has to frustrate Muguruza with. Expect the Spaniard to move on here.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
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