We wrap up the third round of the French Open on Day 7. Who will move on to the fourth round? There are eight spots up for grabs on Saturday, and we’re predicting all eight Day 7 matches for you. You can find predictions for four matches in this article. The other set of predictions includes the four remaining matches, featuring Serena Williams vs Sofia Kenin. Predicting for you today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Jim Smith, Brett Margolies, and Jay Sandhu.
French Open Day 7 Women’s Predictions
Naomi Osaka vs Katerina Siniakova
Jim:
It’s not been a great start to the tournament for Osaka, but she has showed her battling qualities if not her very best tennis to edge past Anna Karolina Schmiedlova and Viktoria Azarenka. She will likely have her work cut out up against Siniakova, who came through a lengthy clash herself to oust 29th seed Maria Sakkari. Expect another close one, but for Osaka to find a way to win yet again.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Jay:
Osaka has shown tremendous fight in her first matches, even though she wasn’t playing her best. Siniakova has also impressed by defeating Sakkari in a close match, but Osaka is clearly a class ahead and should go far in the tournament.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Yesh:
Osaka has been hanging on by a thread this whole tournament. She was on the ropes against Victoria Azarenka, and didn’t look good in her first match. Lucky for her, she gets a slight reprieve in the third round, as Siniakova doesn’t really quite have the game to trouble her. The World #1 has to raise her level, though. Otherwise she won’t last much longer.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Madison Keys vs Anna Blinkova
Jim: Keys, not at her best on a clay court, has gone rather under the radar so far at the French Open, but if she can reach the second week it could turn into a very good fortnight for her. But up against the qualifier Blinkova, who scored a great win over Caroline Garcia in the second round, the American will need to play very well. But with her power and big serve, expect Keys to have the weaponry to ensure Blinkova’s memorable run ends in the third round.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Brett:
Madison Keys defeated Priscilla Hon in a match that was carried over from the night before. Keys best surface isn’t clay, but she’s finding ways to win matches in Paris. Anna Blinkova is also finding ways to win reaching the round of 32 after coming through qualifying. Blinkova has had a nice run upsetting hometown favorite Caroline Garcia in the last round, but I think her run ends here.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Yesh:
Blinkova pulled off an amazing win over Caroline Garcia, but doing that in back-to-back matches is probably too much to ask. As long as the American stays solid and sticks to her game, she should be able to move on to the fourth round for her second consecutive year here.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Simona Halep vs Lesia Tsurenko
Jim:
Like a number of the top players in Paris, defending champion Halep hasn’t gotten off to the most convincing start. But she’s been able to find a way to grind out the wins and that is perhaps more important than playing well in the first week. Tsurenko will provide a real challenge, but Halep should once again have just enough to keep her title challenge alive.
Prediction: Halep in 3
Brett:
Simona Halep isn’t making things easy for herself, winning her first two matches in three sets. She’ll face Lesia Tsurenko, who has to be exhausted after defeating Aleksandra Krunic 11-9 in the third set. Halep also owns a 7-0 record H2H against the Ukranian. I don’t think Halep goes three this time and wins comfortably.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Yesh:
Tsurenko just overcame Alexandra Krunic in a marathon match that lasted two days. Halep, meanwhile, has dropped a set in each of her opening two matches. The Romanian is too talented to let that continue, though, and this matchup should favor her. She needs to up her level if she wants to win this tournament, but she should be able to win this match regardless.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Amanda Anisimova vs Irina Camelia Begu
Jim:
It has been some season so far for Anisimova at the Slams, with the American teenager again upsetting Aryna Sabalenka after also defeating the Belorussian at Melbourne Park. She seems to be built for the big stage and has surprising power from the back of the court. She will need all that power to get past the experienced Begu, but after the tennis she has played so far in Paris, it is hard not to back the young Florida native.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Jay:
Anisimova is the clear favourite in this match thanks to her commanding win over Sabalenka. Begu has had an easy draw, facing Zhu and Muchova, and I don’t think the Romanian can do much to upset Anisimova.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Yesh:
Anisimova loves the big stage, and she’s thriving at the French Open. Begu might be far more experienced, but she’ll have no answers for the young American’s game. Anisimova absolutely thrashed Sabalenka, and there are very few women left in the draw that can challenge the teenager right now.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
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