The third round starts on Day 6 of the French Open. 16 women will compete in eight matches to reach the Round of 16. Who will advance to Sunday? We offer our thoughts on all the matches. Four are in this article, and four are in a second article. Predicting the matches today are Fraser Learmonth, Damian Kust, and Jim Smith.
French Open Day 6 Women’s Predictions
Polona Hercog vs Marketa Vondrousova
Fraser:
Both of these players have looked solid so far in Paris. They are both also very comfortable on the clay and possess the variety of shot needed to succeed on the red dirt. Vondrousova is a better mover and has shown real brilliance on clay, albeit in fits and bursts due to injury issues. Nonetheless, talent counts for a whole lot in tennis and the Czech has it in abundance. Hercog may make life hard for her, but I expect the leftie to get it done.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Damian:
The runner-up from two years ago is definitely miles away from that form, but her arsenal of loopy forehands and great touch still works extremely well on this surface. It’s been an inspired effort from Hercog so far but the young Czech knows how to disrupt rhythm and should be able to hold off her attacks.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Jim:
When she is at her best, Polona Hercog can be a hard woman to stop, particularly on the clay. But although the Slovenian has been playing very well so far in Paris, this might just be a challenge too far for her. Marketa Vondrousova boasts a similar skillset, but the Czech is that much more effective than Hercog in several areas.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Tamara Zidansek vs Katerina Siniakova
Fraser:
Two surprising third0round participants take each other on in this match. Zidansek was sublime in her second match after upsetting Bianca Andreescu in her first. Equally, Siniakova was mightily impressive in her win against Veronika Kudermetova. This match is a real opportunity for both and who holds their nerves best may well decide it. Zidansek has a better overall game than Siniakova, so I will give her the edge in that regard but this really is there for the taking for both.
Prediction: Zidansek in 3
Damian:
This could be great with two players that are very much in-form at the moment. Zidansek seems to have the higher upside, but Siniakova has much more experience at this level. I’ll give more value to the latter.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Jim:
Katerina Siniakova has had to work very hard for her place in the third round, first getting past compatriot Marie Bouzkova in three before edging out Veronika Kudermetova 7-5 in the third. But this might be a more comfortable day at the office for the Czech. Tamara Zidansek is commendably solid from the baseline, but it is hard to see how she will be able to hurt Siniakova regularly.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Elena Vesnina vs Elena Rybakina
Fraser:
Vesnina is likely only still here by virtue of Petra Kvitova’s withdrawal. Nonetheless, she now has a chance to advance to the fourth round and is facing a relatively out-of-form opponent in Ryvakina. The Kazakh hasn’t yet followed up on her sublime 2020 in 2021. The talent and tools are there, but she has been wildly inconsistent so far this year. However, it is hard to pick against someone with her game so I am not going to.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Damian:
Vesnina lost just one game against Olga Govortsova and received a walkover in the second round. It was her first win in three years, and while she deserves a lot of credit for doing it so convincingly, it’s going to much tougher to do damage against one of the most talented up-and-comers in the women’s game.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jim:
Elena Vesnina rolled back the years in her opener to thrash the qualifier Olga Govortsova for the loss of just one game and claim her first win since returning to the tour. Petra Kvitova’s freak accident after a press conference then forced the Czech to withdraw and sent the Ukrainian into the third round. But don’t expect her run to continue any further. Elena Rybakina has found some form of late and the Kazakh should prove too strong for Vesnina.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Victoria Azarenka vs Madison Keys
Fraser:
A battle of two mainstays one the women’s tour in this one. Azarenka has had the more decorated career of the two, but Keys is every bit as talented when she puts it all together. She is also better on clay than the Belarusian, who has won the majority of her titles on hard courts. On that basis I am going to give the edge to the American. However, I expect this to be a close-fought match that should go the distance.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Damian:
Whether Azarenka will hold up physically is a bit of a question mark due to her unusually high number of withdrawals this season. Keys was having an awful season but she’s managed to find the extra gear for the French Open. Historically, it’s the weakest Slam for both, but they still each managed to reach a semifinal here. This could be a blockbuster but Azarenka’s much less likely to produce a cavalcade of unforced errors.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Jim:
This has the makings of an interesting battle. Madison Keys has not been at her best this year, but the American has looked sharp so far in Paris, beating Oceane Dodin and Leylah Annie Fernandez. Victoria Azarenka, meanwhile, has accounted for Svetlana Kuznetsova and Clara Tauson. Expect a close contest, but Azarenka has the more complete and, crucially, reliable game. That should give her the decisive edge.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
