The second round of the French Open wraps up on Day 5. Thursday will see 16 women’s matches, and we’re here at LWOT to predict all of them for you. Who will win? We look at all 16 matches across four articles. The other three articles headline Karolina Pliskova vs Jelena Ostapenko, Petra Kvitova vs Jasmine Paolini, and Kristyna Pliskova vs Garbine Muguruza. Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Damian Kust, and Ewan West.
French Open Day 5 Predictions
Polona Hercog vs Leylah Annie Fernandez
Jim:
Hercog was too good for Diane Parry in the first round, beating the French wildcard 6-2 6-4. She will likely be given more of an examination by the Canadian young gun Fernandez, but Hercog has a game well-suited to clay-court tennis, with her powerful forehand giving her a weapon that Fernandez cannot yet match.
Prediction: Hercog in 3
Damian:
Last year’s junior champion is in the main draw this year and she clearly means business. She definitely stands a decent chance here and it would be a fantastic story is he could get a deep run here. This is a very tough call as Hercog was really up and down since the restart. Fernandez will be hoping to see the latter on the court.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Ewan:
Fernandez earned a fine win against Magda Linette in Round 1, while Hercog comfortably beat Diane Perry. The Slovak’s experience and clay court pedigree may give her the edge against the talented 18-year-old.
Prediction: Hercog in 3
Veronika Kudermetova vs Petra Martic
Jim:
Martic was not as comfortable in the first round against Misaki Doi as might have been expected, but the Croatian came through that match unscathed. Kudermetova, meanwhile, got the better of Pauline Parmentier in what proved to be the final match of the French veteran’s career. But it is hard to see her repeating the feat against Martic, who is one of the better clay-courters on the WTA Tour.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Damian:
Petra Martic’s variety and tennis IQ often allow her to disrupt more powerful opponents. Kudermetova is very talented but she also performs better on hard courts usually.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Ewan:
Martic won their only previous meeting. While the Croatian was tested in Round 1 against Misaki Doi, she should be too strong for Kudermetova – who won just her first match on clay this year in the opening round.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Ons Jabeur vs Nao Hibino
Jim:
Hibino made light work of the talented teenager Marta Kostyuk in the first round, losing just four games to the Ukrainian. Jabeur was rather less dominant in her first-round match against Zarina Diyas, but managed to dig out a three-set win. But with the Tunisian now surely more acclimated to the unusual conditions in Paris, expect a sharp improvement in her level.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Damian:
Nao Hibino has been in excellent shape lately, reaching the semifinals in Strasbourg and easily topping Marta Kostyuk in the first round. Jabeur’s game is not that well suited on clay, so the more in-form player should prevail.
Prediction: Hibino in 3
Ewan:
In ROund 1, Hibino impressively saw off Marta Kostyuk in straight sets, while Jabeur battled back to beat Zarina Diyas. The Tunisian may be pushed again, but should come through.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Sofia Kenin vs Ana Bogdan
Jim:
She ended up making rather hard work of it, but Kenin will surely have been pleased to get a win on the board against Ludmilla Samsonova. Especially as she had failed to win a game in her last match. But she will face a stern test in Ana Bogdan, who proved far too strong for Timea Babos in the first round. At her best, it is one Kenin would be expected to pass with flying colors, but we have not seen anything like the American’s best since the season resumed.
Prediction: Bogdan in 3
Damian:
Sofia Kenin seems to have lost all the momentum somewhere and was extremely erratic in her win against Liudmila Samsonova. Ana Bogdan has just came back from a month long injury break though and might be lacking match rhythm. Expect Kenin to fight through.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Ewan:
Kenin has found it difficult on clay, but she battled through the first round. Bogdan won in straight sets against Timea Babos, but the Australian Open champion’s major pedigree should see her battle past the WTA #93 and into the third round.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
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