The second of the French Open Women’s semifinal matches are set, and we’re in for an absolute blockbuster between Iga Swiatek and Daria Kasatkina. Can anyone at all take down Swiatek? Kasatkina has been playing out of her mind this tournament, and this could be her best chance. Who do you think will win? Sharing their thoughts on this match are Jakub Bobro, Andy Watson, Yesh Ginsburg, Jack Edward, Shane Black, and Jason Fernandes.
French Open Women’s Semifinal Predictions
Iga Swiatek vs Daria Kasatkina
Jakub:
Swiatek’s march to the French Open title continues to look almost inevitable, dismissing Jessica Pegula 6-3 6-2 in the quarterfinals. Kasatkina has enjoyed a very good tournament and has actually been even more dominant than the Pole, yet to drop a set. The head-to-head is pointing very clearly in Swiatek’s direction, winning all of their meetings this season and dropping just eleven games across those three matches. Kasatkina will have to be at her absolute defensive best, pull out some great shots and hope the 21-year-old is off her game to make this a close match. Swiatek taking over and winning is a much more likely outcome.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Andy:
Probably the two most impressive runs in the tournament meet in the semifinals. There is a feeling around that Kasatkina is the one player with the X-factor in her game to defeat the all-conquering Pole. Though I can see the theory, and you won’t find many bigger Kasatkina fans than me, I think that the all-round excellence of Swiatek is going to expose the inconsistencies of the Kasatkina game and maybe make the Russian go for too much too often.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Yesh:
I don’t think Kasatkina can win this. Swiatek has shown some cracks in the armor in recent rounds, so maybe the pressure is getting to her. Still, her level is just way too high. And Kasatkina has her own history of getting in her own way late in big tournaments. The Russian will probably come closer to beating Swiatek than either potential opponent will in the final, but it won’t be enough.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Jack:
Daria Kasatkina is in exceptional form. On the back of reaching the semis in Rome, she has blazed into the semifinals without dropping a set. For a player with a lot left to be desired on the serve, this sort of run demands acknowledgement as she’s truly dominated proceedings from the baseline. Unfortunately Iga Swiatek is not a match-up that bodes well for the Russian. The world #1 has everything Kasatkina has but with just a little more bite in every department. She’s been very comfortable in their last three meetings on hard-courts; she should be even more comfortable on the Parisian clay.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Shane:
Iga Swiatek has been unbeatable over the past three months, but Daria Kasatkina may be in the most in-form player she has faced on her 33-match win streak. With that said, I think the player to knock off Swiatek will have to bring an elite serving performance to the court. Daria Kasatkina does not bring an overly impressive serve into this match and I believe that Swiatek will be able to jump all over her second serve.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jason:
The pair have played three times this year and the Russian has failed to win more than three games in a set. There’s no doubt Kasatkina is playing better now than those last few matches with a Rome semifinal and now a semifinal here but simply put Swiatek is leagues above her in level right now. Besides the hiccups in the first set against Zheng, the Pole is at a level where no matter how well Kasatkina plays, Swiatek will win easily.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
