Day seven at the French Open will see the final third-round matches completed in Paris and, as ever, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Garbine Muguruza vs Danielle Collins. Offering their picks for this slate of matches are Jim Smith, Damian Kust and David Gertler. Who will reach the second week in Paris?
French Open Women’s Day Seven Predictions
Petra Kvitova vs Leylah Fernandez
Jim: Leylah Fernandez was quite superb in her win over the experienced Polona Hercog. Unfortunately for the Canadian, Petra Kvitova will provide a greater challenge still. The big-hitting Czech may not be one of the foremost clay-courters in the women’s game, but the conditions appear to suit her powerful game. Expect this to be a challenge too far for Fernandez.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
David: Kvitova’s best surface is certainly not clay, but she has played well in reaching the third round without dropping a set. Fernandez, like Kvitova is a lefty, but is less reliant on power than the Czech. She’s done well to win a couple three-setters to reach the third round in her first French Open appearance. However, Kvitova will surely have too much for her in this match.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Damian: Last year’s junior French Open champion has been going strong, but she’s running into a very tough opponent in the Czech. Expect Kvitova’s power to be overwhelming for the young Canadian, who (probably) isn’t ready for a player of the Czech’s calibre just yet.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
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Jelena Ostapenko vs Paula Badosa
Jim: Jelena Ostapenko has been in inspired form so far at the French Open, not least in stunning second seed Karolina Pliskova for the loss of only six games. Will she keep that up against Paula Badosa? She will need to, with the Spaniard an accomplished clay-court operator. But if she does, this is a more than winnable match for the former-champion.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
David: Ostapenko is having a renaissance of sorts in Paris. She’s been playing excellent tennis this week. Badosa, meanwhile, took out Sloane Stephens to reach the third round. Badosa is consistent from the baseline, but doesn’t have any weapons to really hurt Ostapenko. She will be relying on Ostapenko’s errors and double faults to get this victory and given how the Latvian has started the tournament, it’s hard to see that happening.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Damian: The Spaniard has been playing well and is a very solid clay-court competitor. But if Ostapenko is anywhere near the level she showcased in beating Pliskova (or to win the title here three years ago), there really won’t be that much that Badosa can do.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
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Fiona Ferro vs Patricia Maria Tig
Jim: This could just be the match of the round. Both Fiona Ferro and Patricia Tig have played some excellent clay-court tennis since the season resumed and they have a title apiece, with Ferro triumphing in Palermo and Tig in Istanbul. Expect a very close contest, but Ferro has perhaps the slightly higher gear, which should prove to be the difference.
Prediction: Ferro in 3
David: Both have played excellent clay court tennis since the restart. Ferro, the champion in Palermo, enjoyed an excellent second-round victory over Elena Rybakina, controlling the baseline superbly. Tig, who won the Istanbul Cup, hits with both consistency and depth from the baseline and has encountered no issues so far at the French Open. But Ferro’s ability to hit with more power will be the difference in this match, although Tig is certainly playing well enough to keep this match close.
Prediction: Ferro in 3
Damian: This is a matchup between two very in-form players who recently captured their maiden WTA titles. Ferro should have the edge though, taking the balls early and playing tennis that forces her opponents behind the baseline. The Frenchwoman hadn’t played for a month before Paris, but even an injury couldn’t stop her from peaking here as it seems.
Prediction: Ferro in 2
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Aryna Sabalenka vs Ons Jabeur
Jim: Aryna Sabalenka is still in need of a big run at a Major. But the Belarusian might just be on the cusp of it in Paris. The slow, heavy conditions give her the time to unleash from the baseline, as well as giving her a margin for error. That has proven a dangerous combination and it seems likely to account for Ons Jabeur as well.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
David: Sabalenka has played well in Strasbourg last week and at Roland Garros this week, getting past two potentially tricky opponents in Jessica Pegula and Daria Kasatkina, without dropping a set. Jabeur has also made a solid start to her French Open, beating Zarina Diyas and Nao Hibino. Her win over the Japanese was especially impressive given the level Hibino has shown on clay recently. However, Sabalenka is a huge step up in competition.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Damian: Sabalenka picked up some great form last week in Strasbourg and is keeping that up here. Jabeur’s pretty unusual brand of tennis is less effective on the clay and it seems like Sabalenka is one of the players who will benefit from the conditions in Paris this year.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
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