The second round of the French Open begins on Day 4 in Paris. 32 women will try to advance to Friday’s third round. As always, we here at LWOT are going to share our thoughts on the matches for you. We split the 16 matches between four articles. In addition to this one, we have articles featuring Victoria Azarenka vs Andrea Petkovic, Sloane Stephens vs Sorana Cirstea, and Coco Gauff vs Alison Van Uytvanck. Predicting today’s matches are Jim Smith, Jakub Bobro, Shane Black, and Damian Kust.
French Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions
Maria Sakkari vs Karolina Muchova
Jim:
This is a potentially significant early test for Sakkari. Muchova has not played much tennis this year, but the Czech usually saves her best for the big occasion and her all-court game can be dangerous on the clay. That said, she would probably need a bit more rhythm and match sharpness to come out on top against a player of Sakkari’s quality.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Jakub:
Both players started well with easy wins over French youngsters, Sakkari beating Clara Burel and Muchova taking out Carole Monnet. The Greek comes in as the favorite after her semifinal showing here last year but Muchova is certainly capable of mixing it up and making it tricky for Sakkari.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Shane:
Both Maria Sakkari and Karolina Muchova won their Round 1 matches with relative ease. Muchova has played in just seven matches over the last nine months after dealing with a handful of injuries. 2021 French Open semifinalist Maria Sakkari is not someone you want to play when trying to get your footing back.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Damian:
Karolina Muchova has been great at peaking for the Majors, but the Czech wasn’t able to play for most of the year (it’s just her fourth event). Maria Sakkari could very well be on upset alert here anyway, but at least she’s got the advantage of more match rhythm to help her out.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Jil Teichmann vs Olga Danilovic
Jim:
Teichmann could be in position for a defining fortnight at the French Open. At her best, the Swiss is an excellent clay-courter and she has been looking sharp in recent weeks. Danilovic has had a fine run herself having started her tournament in the qualifying, but Teichmann is a cut above any of the opposition she has faced so far and should prove too strong.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
Jakub:
Teichmann entered Roland Garros as a strong dark horse candidate after great results in Rome and Madrid and the Swiss only solidified her claim after allowing Bernarda Pera only three games in the first round. Danilovic continued her form from qualifying and defeated Dalma Galfi in her fourth three-set match in a row. The Serb spent almost nine and a half hours on court over the past five days.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
Shane:
Olga Danilovic won her first tour-level match of the season when she defeated Dalma Galfi 2-6 7-6 6-2 in Round 1. Her level must raise if she wants a fighting chance against #23 seed Jil Teichmann. Teichmann dropped just three games in her Round 1 victory. She loves these slow courts and should roll in this one.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
Damian:
Olga Danilovic has been impossible to put away in Paris this year, winning four deciding sets already. The Serbian’s run is probably coming to an end here though. Jil Teichmann played some awesome tennis in Madrid and Rome. The Swiss looks like a potential dark horse and outclassed a tough opponent in Round 1.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
Emma Raducanu vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Jim:
Raducanu is the better player, but Sasnovich the likelier winner. The Briton deserves credit for the manner of her first-round victory over Linda Noskova, but it was not a particularly convincing performance from the US Open champion. Against a more experienced opponent, say Sasnovich, Raducanu may well come unstuck.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Jakub:
Raducanu had to come back from a set down against young talented qualifier Linda Noskova in her first-ever Roland Garros match. Sasnovich could potentially be tricky in the next round, she is not a comfortable opponent to face and beat the Brit at Indian Wells last year. Despite that, I think Raducanu will advance after a battle.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Shane:
Emma Raducanu is 1-0 in her French Open career after coming back from a set down to defeat Linda Noskova. Neither Raducanu nor Sasnovich has shown a strong proclivity to the clay which makes this match very interesting. I believe the experience and match fitness of Sasnovich prevails in what will be a very competitive bout.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Damian:
Emma Raducanu’s first round was a struggle, but it has to be said that the Brit made some progress in recent weeks, finally showing some of the potential that had her win the US Open. She would need to be much sharper to defeat Aliaksandra Sasnovich though, who’s always a dangerous floater and was playing well in Strasbourg last week, only losing to the eventual champion.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Coco Gauff vs Alison Van Uytvanck
Jim:
Clay is not Gauff’s favourite surface, but her athleticism generally makes her a tough opponent to come up against on the terre battue. If Van Uytvanck plays just about the perfect match, the Belgian does have the power to hit through Gauff, but it’s a narrow path to victory. Expect Gauff to draw enough mistakes from Van Uytvanck’s racket to secure a spot in the third round.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Jakub:
Gauff took a successful first step to her quarterfinal defense with a straight-set win over qualifier Rebecca Marino. Van Uytvanck is pretty fortunate to be here as Ann Li was a set up in their match before she had to retire from it. Gauff should advance here pretty easily.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Shane:
#18 seed Coco Gauff started her 2021 French Open quarterfinal defense off strong with a 7-5 6-0 victory over Rebecca Marino. Gauff has been a very strong clay-court player early on in her career. Alison Van Uytvanck was down 3-6 2-3 in Round 1 to Ann Li before Li had to retire due to injury. Gauff will be too powerful for the Belgian.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Damian:
Alison van Uytvanck was very fortunate to advance as Ann Li was forced to retire 6-3 3-2 up. The Belgian’s clay-court game hasn’t looked that great for a while now, even though she’s a former quarterfinalist. On a slower surface, she shouldn’t be able to put that much pressure on Cori Gauff.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo:
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