The second round starts on Day 4 of the 2023 French Open. We get to see 16 matches on Wednesday as players try to advance to the Round of 32. Who do you think will move on? As always, our writers share their thoughts on who will win. We split the day’s 16 matches between three articles. In addition to this article, our others feature Carlos Alcaraz vs Taro Daniel, Andrey Rublev vs Corentin Moutet, and Novak Djokovic vs Marton Fucsovics. Predicting this set of matches are Andreas Pelekis, Damian Kust, and Jack Edward.
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Sebastian Korda vs Sebastian Ofner
Andreas:
I picked McDonald to win against Korda last round, and Korda completely surpassed my expectations. Winning in three comprehensive sets, Korda’s backhand was as strong as it’s been in past years. Similarly, Ofner won straightforwardly in his opening match. Giving the edge to Korda, who knows how to make a run at Roland Garros when he’s playing good tennis.
Prediction: Korda in 4
Damian:
Ofner had such a wonderful draw; can he deliver? Korda won his first match on clay this year against an equally-struggling Mackenzie McDonald, but of course in the Australian Open quarterfinalist’s case, these issues were always going to be only temporary. I’ll still take the Austrian, but my confidence level has decreased slightly. He’s a beast this year though.
Prediction: Ofner in 5
Jack:
I don’t think one win over a fellow American on clay dispels the doubts of Sebastian Korda’s comeback from his wrist injury. Sebastian Ofner will likely get some sluggish spells from Korda. The Austrian has played tidily enough so far to take advantage.
Prediction: Ofner in 5
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Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Luca Van Assche
Andreas:
The all-young Frenchman showdown won’t happen this fortnight, as Davidovich Fokina put together a great performance to win against Arthur Fils. The Spaniard has gotten multiple big wins on clay, taking out Rune in Madrid and beating Djokovic at last year’s Monte Carlo Masters. That confidence should get him through Van Assche, who definitely impressed in the first round but happens to go up against a much higher caliber opponent.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 3
Damian:
It was a good win for Van Assche in Round 1, but his main tour prospects still don’t look that amazing in the long run (at least for now). Davidovich Fokina recently beat him in Estoril and he should be able to do it again, especially if he can drown out the crowd support like he did in the opening round vs Arthur Fils.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 4
Jack:
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is in his element here. He didn’t play the cleanest match against Arthur Fils yet he still came out victorious in four sets over a very in-form opponent. Luca Van Assche will give him a valiant test but the base level of the Spaniard should prove too difficult to break down.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 4
Stan Wawrinka vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Andreas:
This matchup is definitely an interesting encounter after a period of drama eight years ago, of course featuring none other than Nick Kyrgios. Wawrinka battled through his first round match just as fans love, winning in a nearly five hour contest. Ultimately, that win should give him a bunch of motivation to go further in the tournament. Kokkinakis took out seeded player Daniel Evans in round one, but Wawrinka should pull through solely due to his experience.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 4
Damian:
I’m trying hard not to make a reference to what Kyrgios once famously said to Wawrinka mid-match. Well, I just did. Anyway, Kokkinakis is a really underrated clay-courter with the surface reacting to his spin-heavy forehand so well. Wawrinka can obviously match him and more, but his fitness level didn’t look great in the opener against Ramos-Vinolas.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 5
Jack:
Stan Wawrinka can still hit a huge ball but his physicality seems to waver as his appearance at any given tournament extends. He’s only got one match under his belt but it was a four hour and 35 minute marathon. Thanasi Kokkinakis has the firepower to dispatch the potentially exhausted Swiss.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 4
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Andreas:
In all honesty, Carballes Baena played far better than Tsitsipas did in his first round. The Spaniard cruised past Emilio Nava with a display of solid, defensive tennis. Tsitsipas, on the other hand, definitely seemed scrappy in his opening match and could have easily lost both the first and fourth set. While he won in four, the Greek definitely needs to improve to make it into the second week. Tsitsipas should play a bit better this time around, but I feel like he’ll wander a bit and drop a set.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 4
Damian:
It wasn’t a pleasant opener for Tsitsipas against Jiri Vesely, but Carballes Baena plays a completely different brand of tennis and should be a more comfortable matchup. The Spaniard is a good grinder, but he just doesn’t have the game to put that much pressure on his rival and he probably needs it to win.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Jack:
Roberto Carballes Baena has had his fair share of good results recently, however there’s no reason to doubt Stefanos Tsitsipas’s undoubtedly top-tier clay-court game. There may be some resistance but there’s no reason the steadfast serve and forehand of the Greek don’t see him through fairly comfortably.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 4
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
