There should be plenty of thrilling action on day seven at the French Open, with the third round set to be completed. As ever, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Petra Kvitova vs Leylah Fernandez. Offering their picks for this slate of matches are Jim Smith, Sean Judge and Damian Kust. Who will reach the second week in Paris?
French Open Women’s Day Seven Predictions
Danielle Collins vs Garbine Muguruza
Jim: Danielle Collins has clearly been enjoying the conditions in Paris so far, but she comes up against a clay-courter of the first rate in Garbine Muguruza. The Spaniard may be inconsistent, but she knows how to play on this surface and her tactical awareness should give her the edge in a matchup between two players who adopt a fairly similar approach.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Sean: Collins played a brilliant match against the upcoming teenager Clara Tauson, winning in straight sets. She blasted 25 winners to just 10 unforced errors against her younger opponent. Muguruza had a much easier match against Kristyna Pliskova than her opening match at this year’s French Open. The eleventh seed cruised to a 6-3 6-2 victory with 21 winners and 13 unforced errors. And although Collins may be expected to put up a valiant fight, but Muguruza remains the clear favourite.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Damian: There will be plenty of firepower on display here. Muguruza should in theory be picking up rhythm with each match, but Collins is actually an opponent that could deny that to her. The Spaniard should still be on course for a comfortable victory, but if Collins can dictate the rallies and keep up the big shots while being relatively consistent, this could get interesting. But that’s a tall order for the American.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
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Petra Martic vs Laura Siegemund
Jim: Petra Martic has made steady, if not entirely untroubled progress through the first week at the French Open and that should continue here. Laura Siegemund has played some fine tennis to beat Kristina Mladenovic and Julia Goerges, but whilst Martic may not be able to match either woman for power, she is more than their equal in craft and consistency. Expect that to prove to her advantage.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Sean: Martic was just two games away from going out in the second round of the French Open, but fought back to beat Kudermetova. Siegemund also won from a set down in the second round, beating Julia Goerges. Despite the win she didn’t have the best match, with a disappointing 13 double faults. This could be a close match depending on how Siegemund plays, but Martic should win this one and progress to the fourth round.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Damian: This should be a match of great quality. Both ladies have achieved a great deal of success on the clay over the course of their careers and know how to make use of this surface’s characteristics. But Martic has been very impressive in the pressure moments in this tournament so far and should just about have the edge here, though it will surely be close.
Prediction: Martic in 3
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Zhang Shuai vs Clara Burel
Jim: It has been an excellent run for the teenager Burel, but she faces a resurgent opponent in Zhang Shuai . The Chinese had been in no kind of form heading into Strasbourg, but she reached the quarterfinals there, beating Clara Burel en route, and has continued to impress in Paris, beating Madison Keys and the in-form Alize Cornet. Expect her to prove too strong for the talented, but inexperienced Burel.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Sean: Zhang came into the French Open having posted few good results since the restart. However, she has beaten two opponents ranked higher than her in Keys and Cornet. Burel received a wildcard into the tournament and the world number #415 has made great use of it, putting in two solid performances against higher-ranked opposition and will be going into the match with nothing to lose. But expect Zhang to come through, having beaten Burel just last week in Strasbourg.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Damian: The French wildcard has already pulled off two great upsets and suddenly isn’t so much of an underdog up against Zhang in the third round. Historically, clay is definitely Zhang’s worst surface, so the talented youngster might have a real shot at another surprise win.
Prediction: Burel in 3
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Sofia Kenin vs Irina Bara
Jim: Sofia Kenin is still struggling to find her best tennis, but after her disastrous showing in Rome, she has shown impressive grit to battle into the third round. But in Irina Bara, she faces a player in excellent touch. The Romanian has not yet dropped a set in Paris, having come through the qualifying, and whilst that seems certain to change, don’t bet against her claiming a huge win.
Prediction: Bara in 3
Sean: Bara is yet to drop a set at this year’s French Open, having come through the qualifying. Kenin has had to dig deep in her opening matches, winning both only after going the distance. The American has struggled since winning the Australian Open and could be in for a difficult day up against a solid clay-courter in good form. The Romanian will get the better of Kenin here.
Prediction: Bara in 3
Damian: Bara is yet to lose a set in this tournament, despite having come through the qualifying campaign. The rise in the level of opposition will be quite steep, but not as big as you’d think with Kenin having to fight through her matches and win without playing her best. But expect her to do just that again at Bara’s expense.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
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