Sunday, Day 8 at the French Open, sees the start of the fourth round. Everyone playing on Day 8 has reached the second week at Roland Garros. Who will move on to the quarterfinals? Who will go home? Our writers are here to predict all of the matches for you. Predicting today are Jim Smith, Tracey Essex, Eric Han, and Jay Sandhu.
French Open Day 8 Women’s Predictions
Marketa Vondrousova vs Anastasija Sevastova
Tracey:
Sevastova has spent so much time on court. It took more than two hours in the third round, third set decider against Elise Mertens. I just don’t believe even the Energizer Bunny could infuse enough life into the Latvian. Adding to that deficiency is Market Vondrousova’s stellar play. Though Vondrousova lacks the experience on this big of a stage, I think she’s headed to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Jay:
Vondrousova is in better form at the moment, but you can never count Sevastova out. The Latvian played bold tennis to save five match points against Mertens in the third round and certainly won’t go down without a fight. Additionally, a big part of Vondrousova’s game is her craftiness and variety, however Sevastova won’t be affected by any of it. It will be a close match, but Sevastova’s experience will get her through.
Prediction: Sevastova in 3
Eric:
Before the tournament started, I picked Vondrousova to make a good run here. I saw her play in Rome, in which she beat Simona Halep on clay, and looked really good. Vondrousova should continue her great run on clay and advance to the next round. Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Jim:
Sevastova’s marathon victory over Elise Mertens will surely be remembered as one of the matches of the tournament. But after well over three hours of play, it is questionable how much she will have left in the tank. A question that the defensively-minded Vondrousova will be eager to find out the answer to. Ultimately, after such a lengthy battle, it is hard to see the Latvian having what it takes to book her place in the quarterfinals up against the talented and hungry Vondrousova.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Kaia Kanepi vs Petra Martic
Tracey:
Petra Martic has yet to drop a set. In fact, in three rounds, the Croat has dropped just 12 games. In truth, I think she has what it takes to get to the final. Kaia Kanepi will be nothing more than a blip on her radar.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Jay:
Injury has plagued much of Kanepi’s career. She seems to have finally recovered and continuing to regain her best form. This should be a close match, but Kanepi should pull through.
Prediction: Kanepi in 3
Jim:
When looking at Kanepi and Martic’s section of the draw, few would have predicted that they would have been the last two women standing. But both have played some superb tennis, particularly Martic who played surely one of the finest matches of her career to oust second seed and Italian Open champion Karolina Pliskova 6-3 6-3 in the Round of 32. Kanepi, meanwhile, is always a danger and has twice made the quarterfinals in Paris. I have a feeling her powerful tennis might just take her there again.
Prediction: Kanepi in 3
Eric:
Both players have made it surprisingly far, but Martic has had a better run. She beat one of the favorites in Pliskova, and although Kanepi’s power may be difficult to handle, the Croatian player should have all the answers.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Johanna Konta vs Donna Vekic
Tracey:
Donna Vekic turned in a stellar performance to bounce the #15 seed Belinda Bencic in straight sets. The Croat is hitting her stride, dialed into the damage she can do on the clay. Johanna Konta’s third round performance was nothing short of amazing, especially after struggling against American Lauren Davis just two days ago. I counted the Brit out once, so I’m reluctant to do that again. Yet, the Vekic form is impossible to overlook and I’ll give her the slight edge in this bout.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Jay:
Their head to head is tied at 3-3, but Vekic had dominant wins in their last 2 meetings. However, Konta is a completely different player now and is playing so much better, therefore I would favour the Brit to reach the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Eric:
Vekic has been impressive all tournament, and is a surprise player here in the fourth round. However, Konta has been regaining her form that saw her in the top ten and has played well all tournament.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Jim:
This is surely a great chance to reach a maiden French Open quarterfinal for both. Konta has become a real clay-court force this year, and her 6-2 6-1 win over Viktoria Kuzmova was just the latest in a growing string of impressive clay-court scalps. The Briton thrives off pace and Vekic should give her plenty of that. But the Croatian can direct it rather more effectively than Kudermetova. That should just give her the edge in a match that could well be one of the best on day eight.
Prediction: Konta in 3
Sloane Stephens vs Garbine Muguruza
Tracey:
The Muguruza game is picking up. A struggle against American Taylor Townsend served to sharpen the Spaniard’s skills. Able to take out the #9 seed Elina Svitolina in straight set, giving her no room to resist, Garbine Muguruza looks to be in exceptional form. Sloane Stephens always plays her best on the biggest stages. And, I expect this matchup to be no exception. If it weren’t for the occasional lapses in Stephens’ performance, I would see her as the clear winner. Yet, those lapses do occur and Muguruza is going to punish those. That’s all the opening Muguruza will need.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Jay:
Stephens really struggled in her match against Hercog. She had four match points in the second set and couldn’t take any of them and then lead 4-0 in the third set and still struggled. Muguruza, on the other hand, looked far better in her commanding win over Svitolina and I believe Stephens isn’t playing well enough to beat Muguruza at the moment.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Eric:
A very tough match to predict the winner. Their record is tied 1-1, and have had similar form in the lead up to the tournament. Muguruza has lifted the trophy here before and knows what it takes to win these matches here in Paris. This could prove decisive in terms of who wins and who loses in this match.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Jim:
In a match that in recent years might easily have been a final, seventh seed Stephens, who indeed reached the final last year, will take on the resurgent former champion Muguruza. Stephens has played some good tennis so far in Paris, but has looked a little mentally fragile. Muguruza, in contrast, has looked at her ruthless best, barring a slow start against Taylor Townsend in the first round. There’s no doubt, then, that it is Muguruza who is in the better form and it’s hard to pick against her as a result.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
Agree with our Day 8 predictions? Disagree? Feel free to leave your thoughts on the Day 8 matches in the comments.
