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 Belinda Bencic vs Daria Kasatkina. Who do you think will advance? Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Fraser Learmonth, and Yesh Ginsburg.
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Jim:
Aryna Sabalenka remains a player in need of a deep run at a Major, but the Belarusian, who has been in fine form recently, did get her French Open campaign off to a good start by beating Ana Konjuh in straight sets. Provided she maintains the level she displayed in that match, she shouldn’t encounter too many problems in seeing off her compatriot’s challenge.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Fraser:
Given Sabalenka’s form in recent weeks, there is only one winner here. The Belarusian has looked every bit the top five player she now is since the start of 2021. Her progress on clay has been particularly impressive and she is a definite contender to lift her first Grand Slam trophy this week. Sasnovic is no slouch, but she simply doesn’t have the weapons to live with the Sabalenka battering ram. Expect the world #5 to advance in this all-Belarusian affair.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Yesh:
Aryna Sabalenka is one of the best women in the world right now. She’s blasting the ball and finding the court with consistency. No offense to Sasnovich, who’s a solid player, but Sabalenka is just so much better.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Veronika Kudermetova vs Katerina Siniakova
Jim:
This has the makings of a close contest. Katerina Siniakova’s combination of power from the baseline and soft hands in the forecourt ensure she is always a dangerous opponent on the clay, whilst Veronika Kudermetova is having the best season of her career so far. She will need to play on the front foot and deny Siniakova time on the ball, but the Russian should have just about enough to reach the third round for the second time in Paris.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Fraser:
This is a tricky test for Kudermetova. Siniakova has the variety to make life awkward for opponents when she brings her best. She has great touch and is more than comfortable coming forward and playing at the net. That being said, Kudermetova simply does more things better than the Czech does and should be confident of advancing here if she plays anywhere near her best.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Yesh:
Katerina Siniakova was very impressive in her first rounf. Kudermetova, meanwhile, was pushed hard by Amanda Anisimova. Now, Anisimova is a very good opponent, but she collapsed in the second set. Siniakova just looked better, on the whole, in the first round. That matters.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Serena Williams vs Mihaela Buzarnescu
Jim:
Serena Williams may still be a long shot for the title, but she typically saves her best for the biggest stage which helps her to avoid the sort of early upsets she was on the wrong end of in Rome and Parma. And, in truth, unless the great American has a particularly poor day at the office, there will likely be nothing Mihaela Buzarnescu can do to stop her reaching the third round.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Fraser:
Serena Williams looked good in her first-round match. She was lucky to come away with the first set but was slightly better overall and deserved the win. However, she will need to play far better if she is to beat the bigger names in this tournament in later rounds. Fortunately for her, her next opponent is not one of those players. Buzarnescu is a fine player on her day, but has fallen from the heights she hit three or four years ago, Williams should win this comfortably with an eye towards picking up momentum for tougher matches ahead.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Yesh:
I have a real, and it suits me well the vast majority of the time. I never pick Serena Williams to lose a match, no matter what I actually think. Lucky for me, I’m pretty sure the all-time great is the better player in this matchup anyway. Buzarnescu just doesn’t have the weapons to challenge her.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
