It should be an entertaining day of tennis on day eight at the French Open with four intriguing fourth-round matches on the schedule in Paris. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, but who will secure their place in the quarterfinals?
French Open Day 8 Predictions
Sloane Stephens vs Jil Teichmann
Jim: It has been an excellent week for Sloane Stephens, with the American able to turn around a patch of poor form in impressive fashion in the French capital. But she will face a stern test in the form of Jil Teichmann. The Swiss has been one of the form players during the clay-court swing and has continued to look sharp so far in Paris. Unless her level drops, she should have enough to get past Stephens.
Prediction: Teichmann in 3
Yesh: Stephens is finding her range right now, and that’s bad for everyone on tour. The American can beat just about anyone if she’s firing accurately. Teichmann is solid and improving, but she won’t be able to withstand a locked-in Stephens.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Andy: There were still some doubts about Stephens’ form ahead of her encounter with Diane Parry but the way that she dismissed the Frenchwoman showed that she means business in this tournament. The problem is that Teichmann will definitely prove to be the sternest test so far. The Swiss showed all of her battling instincts to see off Azarenka in a champions tiebreak and as long as she is physically recovered from that match then she should be confident that she is the better player out of the two at the moment.
Prediction: Teichmann in 3
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Coco Gauff vs Elise Mertens
Jim: This has the makings of an entertaining match. Coco Gauff has been in fine form so far in Paris, reaching the second week with victories over Rebecca Marino, Alison van Uytvanck and Kaia Kanepi, all without dropping a set. Facing Elise Mertens will present a very different challenge to the young American, but it still looks like one that she is ready to surpass.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Yesh: Mertens’ consistency is nothing short of remarkable. Meanwhile, Gauff has never really felt the pressure of this stage of a big event. That could matter in a tight match.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Andy: Gauff’s game is really purring right now. Kanepi should have been a serious test of her credentials but she won the crucial points and hit only 12 unforced errors in the match. Mertens hit a very similar ratio of winners to unforced errors in her match too and managed an 80% first serve percentage, so she is in good order here as well. This could go into a third set but overall I think Gauff has the higher ceiling and could produce her best tennis on the day.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
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Martina Trevisan vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Jim: Martina Trevisan is having some month. A mere matter of weeks ago, few would have predicted that the Italian would reach the fourth round, but now Trevisan looks to be in good position to return to the French Open quarterfinals. That being said, Aliaksandra Sasnovich is not an opponent to be taken lightly. The Belarusian has, after all, already beaten two Grand Slam champions this week. But in this form, it’s hard to pick against Trevisan.
Prediction: Trevisan in 2
Yesh: Sasnovich is peaking at the right moment, and she’s rewarded with a winnable match in the fourth round of a Major. The occasion will catch up to her eventually, but I don’t think it will happen yet.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 2
Andy: The Italian won her eighth consecutive match against Daria Saville and is playing with that confidence. Whether confidence will be enough to stand up to the attacking game of Sasnovich we will have to see. The Belarussian hit a remarkable 44 winners against Angelique Kerber and is clearly in her groove. Sasnovich will only need a replica performance to win this and I think she can just about do it.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
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Amanda Anisimova vs Leylah Fernandez
Jim: It’s hard to know what conclusions to draw from Amanda Anisimova’s win over Karolina Muchova due to the abrupt end to the match after the Czech injured her ankle. But overall, it has been an impressive tournament for the former-semifinalist. Leylah Fernandez has also looked sharp, scoring wins over Kristina Mladenovic, Katerina Siniakova and Belinda Bencic. If she can maintain that level, the Canadian might just have the beating of Anisimova.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Yesh: What a match this will be. Two young guns are squaring off with a clear path to the French Open final awaiting the winner. Both have been here before, so don’t expect either to crumble. This will be won on talent alone, and on a clay court I give that advantage to the American.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Andy: Both women had to put some heart into their third round matches to get a result. Anisimova was fortunate in that Muchova had to retire but Fernandez produced that effort that we know and love to get past Belinda Bencic. Anisimova’s game seems well suited to these conditions and she is hitting the ball really well. I can potentially see Fernandez getting into the match and making it hard for Anisimova, but the match will be on the American’s racquet. I like Anisimova to get the job done though.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
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