It has been a thrilling start to the French Open with upsets aplenty in Paris. That leaves the draw, or the bottom half of it at least, wide open heading into the third round which starts with eight matches on day six. As always, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for all eight matches, including Amanda Anisimova vs Karolina Muchova. But who will reach the second week at Roland Garros?
French Open Day 6 Predictions
Coco Gauff vs Kaia Kanepi
Jim: Coco Gauff has looked assured so far at the French Open, beating Rebecca Marino and Alison Van Uytvanck to reach the third round. But she will face a potentially stern test there up against Kaia Kanepi, with the veteran Estonian seemingly gearing up for another famous Grand Slam run. But if clay is not Gauff’s favourite surface, she is well-equipped for success on the surface. Expect her to have just about too much for Kanepi.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Fraser: Kanepi continues to put together surprising deep runs in Grand Slams despite doing little else on the WTA Tour. Wins over Garbine Muguruza and Beatriz Haddad Maia will have the Estonian full of confidence heading into this match. However, Gauff is an elite player with form behind her and will be a far tougher test for Kanepi. If Gauff serves well and her forehand holds up under pressure, she should win here.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Andy: This is a real test for the title credentials of Coco Gauff. She has produced two mature performances so far and the draw looks favourable but Kanepi loves nothing more than turning up at the Slams and dumping out the seeds. I am going to predict a surprise here, I think if it goes to three sets then Kanepi has the experience and the game to win it at the death.
Prediction: Kanepi in 3
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Victoria Azarenka vs Jil Teichmann
Jim: This is a big match for Jil Teichmann. She has been in fine form on the European clay and has the quality to reach the second week in Paris. But she will need to maintain her focus and control her nerves against the vastly experienced Victoria Azarenka. Do that and she should have enough to get past the Belarusian.
Prediction: Teichmann in 3
Fraser: Azarenka seems to have found a good level of tennis again after a torrid few months on the tour. That’s good for the women’s game as the Belarusian is a delight to watch when she’s on song. However, clay is definitely not her preferred surface and she faces a red hot Teichmann in the third round. The Swiss star has found her best tennis over the last two months and should be looking to go deep in Paris. She certainly has enough to win here if she keeps the level she’s played at going.
Prediction: Teichmann in 3
Andy: Teichmann is in really good form right now with good tour results translating into an impressive start to this tournament. Azarenka has somewhat flattered to deceive since her remarkable US Open in 2020, looking vulnerable when put under pressure. The Belarussian will expect to win this but I think Teichmann may be playing the superior tennis right now and I can see Azarenka getting frustrated and going down.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
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Belinda Bencic vs Leylah Fernandez
Jim: This should be some match. Belinda Bencic, by her high standards, had been in indifferent form coming into the French Open, but she has impressed so far in Paris. So too has Leylah Fernandez, with the Canadian scoring victories over Kristina Mladenovic and Katerina Siniakova. This match could probably go either way, but Fernandez has perhaps been that much more convincing so far.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Fraser: Bencic was clinical in her straight sets dismissal of Bianca Andreescu in round two. I said earlier this year that it’s only a matter of time before the Swiss star makes her way back inside the top ten in the women’s game. A good run at the French Open will go a long way towards securing that. Fernandez is a tricky and talented opponent, but Bencic’s backhand is a great weapon to have and she should be able to use it to steer her to a win here.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Andy: Bencic was steady and impressive against Andreescu in the last round and I think that will have tuned her up nicely for this encounter. Fernandez has big match pedigree after her remarkable run to the final of US Open 2021 but I think that the Swiss is probably better suited to the surface and is ready for a deep run here.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
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Angelique Kerber vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Jim: An Angelique Kerber freed from the pressure of expectation is a dangerous opponent. She did get off to a slow start against Magdalena Frech in the first round, but has impressed since. Aliaksandra Sasnovich, meanwhile, has accounted for Wang Xinyu and US Open champion Emma Raducanu so far in Paris. But it is hard to see her outmanoeuvring Kerber from the baseline.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Fraser: Sasnovich may have dropped a set to Raducanu in her last match, but she was the better player throughout and deserved the win. She now faces Kerber, a player fresh off a WTA Title run in Strasbourg. The German has shown she can still compete with the best in the women’s game but hasn’t been deep in a Grand Slam in some time. This match presents a real opportunity to do exactly that, and I think the fiercely competitive Kerber will seize in with both hands.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Andy: Sasnovich really revved up her game in the last round against Raducanu. If she plays like that again then even the movement and experience of Kerber won’t be able to keep up. Kerber is undoubtedly in good form, seven wins in a row now after winning the Strasbourg title in the week before Roland-Garros. However, I think I prefer Sasnovich to take the game by the scruff of the neck and hit enough winners to win the match.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
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