A number of star names are set to take to the court on day eight at the French Open, with four intriguing fourth-round matches on the slate in Paris. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions across the board. But who will book their place in the quarterfinals?
French Open Day 8 Predictions
Serena Williams vs Elena Rybakina
Jim: Serena Williams may have struggled at times in coming through the first week at the French Open, but the real headline is that the great American is still standing. She looks set for another tough test up against Elena Rybakina, who has found some form so far at Roland Garros, but Williams’ is adept at finding a way to win. Expect her to have just about too much for the Kazakh.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Yesh: My rule is to never predict against Serena Williams. She just wins so much more often than not, especially at the Majors. In terms of form and clay ability, I think Rybakina is better than Serena at the moment. But my rule stands. I don’t pick against the best ever.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Damian: The expected blockbuster against Collins turned out to be a very clean performance from the 23-time Grand Slam champion. Her form in Paris has been great so far and probably the best she’s played on clay in a couple of years. Rybakina’s been very dominant so far but hasn’t played a truly great opponent yet. This should be fun, but I’d expect the American’s experience to prove too important, especially if she can compose herself as well as she did against Collins.
Prediction: Williams in 3
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Victoria Azarenka vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Jim: Victoria Azarenka has made an impressive start to her campaign at the French Open, with the Belarusian appearing to be gathering momentum heading into the second week. Her 6-2 6-2 win over Madison Keys in the third round was particularly impressive. However, she looks set for a stern test here, with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in excellent form. That said, the Russian has struggled in this rivalry and Azarenka should have just about enough to win this baseline battle.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Yesh: Azarenka looks to be in good form right now. How far it can carry her on clay I’m not sure, but she should be able to blast her way through this one, just about.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Damian: Azarenka has a dominant head-to-head lead, although most of the matches happened quite a long time ago. Pavlyuchenkova played a lot more matches in the lead-ups and clearly finds herself in great form as well. This will be close, but Azarenka is usually able to achieve much more through her own excellence and won’t have to rely on her opponent as much as the Russian did in her win against Sabalenka.
Predictions: Azarenka in 3
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Tamara Zidansek vs Sorana Cirstea
Jim: This is a huge opportunity for both of these women to make a Grand Slam quarterfinal. But Sorana Cirstea is the player in form, having reached the final last time out in Strasbourg and won the title in Istanbul earlier in the season. If she maintains the form she showed over the course of the first week at the French Open, she should have enough to account for Tamara Zidansek.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Yesh: This is a golden opportunity for one of these women. Zidansek had never reached the fourth round at a Grand Slam before, but now stands just one win away from the quarterfinals. She also likely has a better future than Cirstea. But although the Romanian’s entire career has been one of missed opportunities since she made the last eight here in 2009, she won’t miss this one.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Damian: Zidansek won just six points in the opening set against Siniakova, only to come back and win the match. The Slovenian is playing great right now, but Cirstea’s performances are really close to what she showed here reaching the quarterfinals twelve years ago. It would be a great story if she did it again and I think it might happen as she seems to be very high on confidence at the moment.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
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Marketa Vondrousova vs Paula Badosa
Jim: This should be another entertaining clash. Marketa Vondrousova has not performed as consistently as she would have liked since reaching the final in Paris two years ago, but the Czech has looked sharp so far in Paris. Paula Badosa, meanwhile, is in the form of her life, but she did struggle in the third round against Ana Bogdan. Anything other than a sharp improvement looks likely to condemn her to defeat here.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Yesh: Badosa has been in incredible form, and she almost threw it away in her last match. Marketa Vondrousova isn’t quite at the level that saw her reach the final two years ago, and that leaves room for Badosa. As long as the Spaniard stays strong, she should win.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Damian: Badosa’s game had a lot of dips against Bogdan but this experience might only make her stronger. Vondrousova’s the former runner-up of this event but she probably doesn’t have a ceiling as high as her opponent. Badosa should be able to overpower her and if she has a better day at the office than against Bogdan, she might even win this fairly comfortably. The match should be on her racket.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
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