We begin the second round on Day 4 of the French Open. 28 women will compete for the opportunity to advance to the third round. We predict all 14 of the matches for you, split between four articles. In addition to this article, the other articles feature Madison Keys vs Leylah Annie Fernandez, Victoria Azarenka vs Clara Tauson, and Serena Williams vs Mihaela Buzarnescu. Who do you think will advance? Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Fraser Learmonth, Damian Kust, and Andrew Watson.
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Madison Brengle vs Tamara Zidansek
Jim:
Madison Brengle was very impressive in her first-round win over Maria Camila Osorio Serrano, a victory that must count as an upset considering their relative clay-court pedigree. But Tamara Zidansek is another very fine clay-courter. Her marathon win over Bianca Andreescu may have taken a fair amount out of her legs, but it should also have given her plenty of confidence.
Prediction: Zidansek in 3
Fraser:
I have to admit I’m surprised Zidansek is here. Andreescu lacked match fitness and experience on clay, but she finds a way to win better than almost anyone on tour. She also had the chance to serve out the match and she rarely squanders chances to win when at her best. It may still be a few months before we see that version though. For now Zidansek continues at Roland garros and faces another surprise second round player in Brengle. Zidansek is the better of the two, particularly on clay, and should advance again.
Prediction: Zidansek in 2
Damian:
Who has a better shot at following up a stunning opening round victory? Probably Zidansek, who’s been consistently making consistent deep runs at tour-level events lately. Brengle’s win over Osorio Serrano came out of nowhere.
Prediction: Zidansek in 3
Paula Badosa vs Danka Kovinic
Jim:
Anything short of the round of 16 would surely be a disappointment for the in-form Paula Badosa, who has enjoyed a clay-court season to remember so far. Danka Kovinic is a wily campaigner and played well to beat Clara Burel in her opener, but Badosa should be a cut above.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Fraser:
This should be a high quaity match. Both have played well on clay in recent months and look to be putting together career years on the women’s tour. However, Badosa Gibert has been a cut above most on the tour in recent weeks and may well be a dark horse for a deep run in Paris given her form in recent weeks. This one could go the distance, but I expect the Spaniard to advance in the end.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Damian:
Everyone’s French Open dark horse was tested by Lauren Davis in the first-round. If anything, this little bit of trouble early could make her even stronger going into the latter stages of the tournament.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Polona Hercog vs Caroline Garcia
Jim:
Caroline Garcia made an excellent start to her campaign in Paris, thrashing Laura Siegemund for the loss of only four games. It was a timely reminder of what she is capable when she is on song and, if she can maintain that level, expect her to deliver another winning performance against Polona Hercog.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Fraser:
This one is tough to call. Neither player is in superb form at the moment, though both have shown more than capable on clay throghout their careers. Garcia has the higher level of the two and has shown more promise in recent weeks than hercog. However, the French star has also been widely inconsistent and is still some way off her best tennis. That being said I think she has enough to advance here, though it may well go the distance.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Damian:
Hercog pulled the upset over Bertens in the opening round, but the Dutchwoman was very far off her best. While Garcia’s form fluctuates like crazy, she appears to have caught some steam recently. She also knows how to play in front of a home crowd.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Belinda Bencic vs Daria Kasatkina
Jim:
It has not been a particularly memorable season so far for Belinda Bencic, but the Swiss played something close to her best tennis to oust 2020 semifinalist Nadia Podoroska in the first round. Daria Kasatkina managed to battle past Misaki Doi in three sets, but Bencic should have the beating of the Russian.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Fraser:
This could be a fantastic match. Kasatkina has enjoyed a resurgence so far in 2021 while Bencic appears to finally be finding her feet on the clay. The Swiss is an elite talent when she is firing on all cylinders and could be a real dark horse at Roland Garros if her level keeps rising. This will be a tough ask, but I expect Bencic to come through it and grow into the tournament.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Andrew:
The Swiss probably was surprised at how easily she was able to dismiss Nadia Podoroska in the previous round, but a four winner to 26 unforced error count for the Argentine will help in that regard. I doubt that the same generosity will befall Kasatkina. The winner of this match will be eyeing a decent run here as both have the game to go deep in the wind blows in their sails. I’m just about favoring Bencic here as her form is that bit more impressive than the Russian’s.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
