Day 5 at the French Open wraps up the second round. As each player tries to move on to the Round of 32, the competition will only get more fierce. Day 5–Thursday–is full of great matches. Who will move on? We’re here to predict that for you. This set of matches features the battle of up-and-coming youngsters between Amanda Anisimova and Aryna Sabalenka. (We also have two other sets of predictions for you. One features Serena Williams vs Kurumi Nara, while the other headlines Naomi Osaka vs Victoria Azarenka.) Predicting this set of matches for you are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Tracey Essex, and Jay Sandhu.
French Open Day 5 Women’s Predictions
Su-Wei Hsieh vs Andrea Petkovic
Tracey:
The fact that Hsieh and Petkovic have never met on court means that Petkovic is in for a surprise. No doubt she’s heard about the crafty Hsieh. But until you’re faced with the disruption Hsieh creates, it’s impossible to devise a strategy. Hsieh should thoroughly frustrate the German and move on to Round 3.
Prediction: Hsieh in 2
Jay:
Both are in the latter stages of their careers but in completely different places right now: Hsieh is playing some of the best tennis of her life whereas Petkovic hasn’t been playing well for a few years now. Hsieh will be playing with much more confidence and has tricky playing style will be too much for the German.
Prediction: Hsieh in 2
Yesh:
Hsieh is playing some of the best and most solid tennis of her life. Petkovic is doing well also, but Hsieh will throw the German off her game and breeze through this match.
Prediction: Hsieh in 2
Madison Keys vs Priscilla Hon
Tracey:
In truth, the Australian was fortunate to get through Timea Babos – a win I certainly didn’t expect. Madison Keys can clearly manage the clay as evidenced by her Charleston title. Keys didn’t fare well in Madrid or Rome, but she tends to bring her best to the biggest stages. I expect Maddie to open strong and leave Hon struggling to take a game or two.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Jay:
Hon played well in the first round, but was basically gifted the match by an error prone Babos. Keys is a lot more experienced and has had a good clay court season so she is the clear favorite in this match.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Yesh:
Priscilla Hon played the best two sets of her life to comfortable take out Timea Babos–after losing the first set. If Hon plays like that again, she’ll make Keys uncomfortable. The American will win the match, but she could be in for a scare first.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Karolina Muchova vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Tracey:
Karolina Muchova had a stellar first round, grasping victory from the #17 seed, Anett Knotaveit. With a 71% first serve, four aces and eight breaks of serve, Muchova is obviously comfortable at Roland Garros. While Begu also had a comfortable first round win, it doesn’t have the same cache since her opponent Liu generally sticks to ITF level tournaments. Muchova should have a moderately easy straight sets win.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Jay:
Begu played well in her first round, but had a relatively easy opponent. Muchova, however, had a very difficult opponent in Kontaveit and has had a very successful clay season, so is playing much better than her opponent at the moment.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Yesh:
Muchova had a huge win in the first round, but don’t read too much into it. Begu is still the better and more consistent player, so the smart move is to back her to squeeze by.
Prediction: Begu in 3
Amanda Anisimova vs Aryna Sabalenka
Tracey:
Amanda Anisimova can match power with Aryna Sabalenka. And the slower surface will allow each to get a lot of balls in play. Where the America is methodical and thoughtful, the Belorussian flashes hot and goes for broke. I think Anisimova’s shot redirection will wrong-foot Sabalenka more than a few times. And, it’s the mounting frustration that will cost Sabalenka this match.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Jay:
Although Sabalenka is probably the better player, she is not playing that well at the moment. Anisimova, on the other hand, is improving so much and it helps that she won their last meeting in straight sets. Sabalenka will put up a fight, but I think the young American will cause an upset.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Yesh:
This definitely has huge potential. Sabalenka is probably the better player right now–barely–but Anisimova seems to bring her best when the pressure is on. Sabalenka rarely faces anyone with the power to make her uncomfortable, which ultimately will give the American the match.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
