Day 10 of the French Open will see Serena Williams conqueror Elena Rybakina take the court again. The Kazakh will compete in her first ever Grand Slam quarterfinal. Can she win? Our writers share their thoughts on her match, as well as Tuesday’s other match. Predicting these matches today are Jim Smith, Damian Kust, Fraser Learmounth, and David Gertler.
French Open Day 10 Women’s Predictions
Tamara Zidansek vs Paula Badosa
Jim:
It has been some effort from Tamara Zidansek to reach the quarterfinals, with the Slovenian improving with each passing match. However, Paula Badosa is surely the favourite here. The Spaniard has been playing some superb clay-court tennis of late and, after recovering from her third-round wobble against Ana Bogdan to battle past former finalist Marketa Vondrousova in impressive fashion, she should have the beating of Zidansek.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Damian:
The Spaniard was everyone’s dark horse for a reason and the improvements she’s made of late are absolutely fantastic. She’s finally realizing the potential that we’ve seen when she claimed a junior title in Paris six years ago. It’s been a fantastic effort from Zidansek as well and although her game might possess a tad more variety, the aggressive baselining of Badosa her been just too effective of late. Neither has even been to a quarterfinal of a slam before but the Spaniard’s just looking as if she always belonged here.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Fraser:
What an amazing week this has turned into for Zidansek. After edging Andreescu in her first match, she now finds herself enjoying her best Grand Slam run to date. Her opponent is too, with Badosa Gibert continuing her incredible run of form on clay over the last month or so. The Spaniard has enjoyed several first in the past few weeks, including a first tour title. If she continues playing at this level then she may well add Grand Slam semifinalist to that list of achievements when the dust settles on Tuesday in Paris. The Spaniard keeps finding ways to win and I expect her to do the same in this one. She has more to her game, is in better form and is fast forgetting how to lose on clay.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
David:
Zidansek is a clay court specialist utilizing her heavy forehand to control the baseline. Badosa survived a huge scare against Bogdan, but is having a terrific clay season, utilizing a good forehand and a knifing backhand. Ultimately, I think Badosa holds up better in the crosscourt exchanges from the forehand side than Zidansek does in crosscourt exchanges from the backhand side.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Elena Rybakina vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Jim:
This looks to have the makings of a close and likely nervy clash. Neither has ever played in a Grand Slam semifinal. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova possessing a particularly poor record at this stage at Majors. But she is also in excellent form and vastly more experienced than Elena Rybakina, who had never previously been beyond the third round at a Slam. The Kazakh is a wonderfully pure striker of a tennis ball, but if this devolves into a dogfight, expect Pavlyuchenkova to be the player to reach the last eight.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Damian:
Rybakina’s performance to beat Serena Williams was really convincing, and if her forehand will be just as massive here, she has a great chance. She’s yet to lose a set in this tournament and while before that match her campaign was going a bit under the radar, there was nothing quiet about the way she dismantled the 23-time Grand Slam champion. Fun fact: Pavlyuchenkova will be playing her seventh Major quarterfinal and she’s never reached the last four. She was also eliminated five times in doubles at this stage. Rybakina might make sure this spotless losing record in last eights stays intact.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Fraser:
Rybakina finally seems to be finding her best tennis in Paris. After a whirlwind 2020, she has been disappointing so far in 2021. However, a straight sets win over Serena Williams has earned her a quarterfinal birth at Roland Garros for the first time. She faces seasoned veteran Pavlyuchenkova who has featured in the later stages of big tournaments like this throughout her career. The Russian is yet to win a Grand Slam–considered an underachievement by some given her talent–but is playing with real determination so far this week. Rybakina has a big game and can hit anyone off the court on her day. However, she isn’t as comfortable on clay as Pavlyuchenkova, nor does she have the experience the Russian does. I think those factors tip the scales slightly against her. This will be tight, but the wily veteran should advance.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
David:
These two doubles partners face off with a spot in the semifinals on the line. Rybakina hits a bigger serve and has more powerful groundstrokes, but in a big, tense match like this, consistency from the baseline is going to be important. Pavyluchenkova just beat bigger hitters in Sabalenka and Azarenka and is playing really solid tennis. Pavyluchenkova wins.
Prediction: Pavyluchenkova in 3
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