We have reached the quarterfinal stage of the French Open. Four women will compete on Tuesday for a chance to move on to the semifinals. We are predicting both of those quarterfinal matches for you. There will also be a third match Tuesday, as Danielle Collins vs Ons Jabeur was delayed from Monday due to rain. We already predicted that one, so we won’t be repeating it here. Predicting Tuesday’s matches are Jim Smith, Damian Kust, David Gertler, Harsh Bhoot, and myself (Yes Ginsburg).
French Open Women’s Quarterfinal Predictions
Iga Swiatek vs Martina Trevisan
Jim:
Swiatek played what was surely the match of her life to thrash Simona Halep in the fourth round, with the Romanian unable to live with the Pole’s attacking, first-strike tennis. As impressive as Trevisan’s run through the qualifying to the quarterfinals has been, if Swiatek can find anything like the level she displayed against Halep, this should be a fairly comfortable day for her.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Damian:
Iga Swiatek’s level was close to unplayable throughout the past week. But how will the Pole react to suddenly being a big favorite in her quarterfinal match, perhaps even one of the main contenders for the title? She’s done some great work with her psychologist but I think it could be a bit of a struggle to get used to. Trevisan has a very tricky game too, one that needs some adapting. Swiatek should make the necessary changes and find the composure, but it doesn’t have to be easy.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
David:
Iga Swiatek had the biggest win of her career when she easily pushed past World No. 2 Simona Halep. Swiatek’s ability to hit both consistently and with power from the baseline makes her a threat to win the title here. Howver, often the match after a big win can be as tough as the big win itself. Martina Trevisan, who came through qualifying, is having the tournament of her life. She just took out Kiki Bertens in straight sets. Trevisan’s lefty game has been very solid this tournament. Swiatek’s level will almost certainly drop from the Halep match, but her ability to control the baseline is a little better than Trevisan’s and that should be the difference in this match.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Harsh:
Both players have taken out some big names en route to the quarter-finals. Martina Trevisan played a great match but one feels on current form, Iga Swiatek will be her toughest opponent yet. Swiatek ran away with the match against Simona Halep with her serve firing and her groundstrokes penetrating the defences of Halep. Trevisan has been impressive so far but there’s a clear difference in the quality of the serves these two can produce. Expect Swiatek to serve well once again and be aggressive from the baseline to nab the win.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Yesh:
I have consistently underrated Trevisan at every stage of the tournament. She has been as impressive as she has been surprising. I cannot help but say that I’m a little fearful I’m doing it again. But if Swiatek is anywhere near as convincing in this match as she was in her last one, it won’t be close.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Elina Svitolina vs Nadia Podoroska
Jim:
Svitolina, who must surely rank amongst the most accomplished active players not to have won a Grand Slam, suddenly looks to have a real chance of claiming the title in Paris. She will not, however, find things straightforward against Podoroska, who has looked very impressive so far at the French Open. But if they both play their best tennis, it should be Svitolina who comes out on top.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Damian:
This is the 7th time Elina Svitolina has reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal but she’s yet to advance to a final of this event. This year feels like a great chance for the Ukrainian, especially as she’s facing an opponent who got her spot in the main draw through the qualifying draw. But one shouldn’t underestimate Podoroska, who’s playing the best tennis of her career right now and hasn’t lost in her past 12 matches. The Argentinian will feel like she has much less to lose than Svitolina and that will make her dangerous. I expect Svitolina’s consistency and experience to prevail in the end.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
David:
Elina Svitolina, in my eyes, is the clear favorite to win this title. She has been so solid from the baseline since the restart, winning Strasbourg and only dropping one set so far at the French Open. Nadia Podoroska, who qualified for this tournament, has a very solid clay court game. She did well to come back from a set down to beat Barbora Krejcikova to advance to this showdown with Svitolina. However, Svitolina’s rally tolerance is significantly higher than Podoroska’s and this will be a match too far for the Argentine.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Harsh:
Nadia Podoroska has flown under the radar somewhat but is sure to be in the limelight if she can push Elina Svitolina. The Ukranian has looked extremely comfortable this year and on her favorite surface, so she will take some stopping. Podoroska will be relishing the challenge to go against one of the top players and can make it interesting if Svitolina has a slow start but expect the Ukranian to start dictating points as the match progresses. Svitolina looks locked in and confident enough to reach the semifinals.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Yesh:
Like Trevisan, I’ve been underestimating Podoroska this tournament as well. She is on a huge winning streak and playing the best tennis of her life. Still, Svitolina looks so strong this tournament. I could be wrong, but I just don’t see the Argentinian having the game to pull off this upset.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
