We have reached the third round at the French Open. On Day 6, the Round of 32 begins. That means that we at LWOT will predict every single match from this point forward. That’s right. Every match. This set of predictions contains four matches, including one between Petra Martic and Karolina Pliskova. The other set, containing the other four matches, features Garbine Muguruza vs Elina Svitolina. Predicting the matches for you today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Jim Smith and Tracey Essex alongside a guest appearance from Damian Kust.
French Open Day 6 Women’s Predictions
Sloane Stephens vs Polona Hercog
Jim:
After what has been a largely indifferent season, at least by her high standards, Stephens has impressed in her opening matches at the French Open, seeing off Misaki Doi and Sara Sorribes Tormo without dropping a set. Her third-round opponent, Hercog, has not enjoyed such smooth passage into the last 32. Rather the Slovenian has had to grind through two marathon three setters and up against the suffocating defence of Stephens, that seems likely to catch up with her.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Tracey:
Polonia Hercog has been playing well, just not well enough to take out the #7 seed. While Sloane Stephens certainly isn’t serving anywhere near her best, it’ll be enough to get past the Slovenian.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Yesh:
Sloane Stephens hasn’t looked good for most of this season, but she looked good so far this tournament. Hercog has nothing to trouble her with, so the American will march on.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Marketa Vondrousova vs Carla Suarez Navarro
Jim:
It has been a great season for Vondrousova and she has continued that in Paris, winning both her matches so far in straight sets, including against Anastasia Potapova, who beat Angelique Kerber in the first round. But she will be in for a stern test against 28th seed Carla Suarez Navarro, always a reliable clay-court performer. But for all Suarez Navarro’s experience, Vondrousova is in a winning groove and those are typically hard to break.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Tracey:
It’s been no easy feat for the teenage Czech to get to the Round of 32. Neither Wang nor Potapova were easy opponents. Yet, Vondrousova dropped just 11 games between those two matches. She’s obviously here to play. Carla Suarez Navarro will do her best to grind her down, forcing Vondrousova to play more balls than she’d like. But, Vondrousova is young, agile and I expect she’ll come through what will be a long and tough battle.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Yesh:
Carla Suarez Navarro is always solid and always tough. Vondrousova, though, is on another level right now. She’s a rising youngster rocketing up the rankings, and her game can beat anyone on clay.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Petra Martic vs Karolina Pliskova
Jim:
After Kiki Bertens’ misfortune in being forced to withdraw and Naomi Osaka’s shaky start, Pliskova’s title chances seem to be improving by the day. Backed by her big serve and an underrated return, she certainly looks set to do some real damage in the draw. She may be made to work for victory against Martic, who has been playing well herself, but it’s hard to see who can stop the Czech second seed at the moment.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Tracey:
Petra Martic has a solid head-to-head lead over her Czech rival. And the Croat’s performance over France’s Kristina Mladenovic was definitive. I think Martic is playing at peak performance and it’ll be hard for Pliskova to find a win here.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Yesh:
Pliskova won Rome and looks strong at Roland Garros so far. Will this finally be Pliskova’s chance to win a Slam? With the way this draw is breaking, she’ll have a very good chance.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Belinda Bencic vs Donna Vekic
Jim:
It’s never easy to have a match delayed overnight, so Bencic will surely be thrilled to have won so quickly on the restart. That should give her more time to prepare for what looks like a tricky clash with Vekic for a place in the fourth round. Both women are excellent ball-strikers so expect a high-quality encounter. But Bencic has been finding a way to win a lot in recent months and should just be able to get over the line once again.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Damian:
Restarting a match on the next day from 4-4 in the decider is not an easy task, but Belinda Bencic managed to come out of the blocks in great shape and finish off Laura Siegemund in just two games. The Swiss is not as powerful as Vekic but her ability to construct a point and impressive consistency has earned her a ton wins this year already and in the long run she should be able to find the court more often than her slightly erratic opponent.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Yesh:
Each of these players struggled in their second-round match. Bencic struggled more, but against a better opponent. Whoever puts their game together faster will come through this tight match. Based on recent results, I’ll have to give the very slight edge to Bencic. Prediction: Bencic in 3
Main Photo:
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