With the second round getting underway, expect plenty of exciting tennis on day four at the French Open. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule in Paris, including Caroline Garcia vs Anna Blinkova, Aryna Sabalenka vs Iryna Shymanovich and Daria Kasatkina vs Marketa Vondrousova. But who will reach the third round?
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Magdalena Frech vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Jack: Magdalena Frech was given an easy win in the first round due to Shuai Zhang’s poor mental health. She isn’t quite playing at the level to dismiss a top 40 player 6-1 6-1 but will still bring formidable consistency to her encounter with up-and-coming star Kamilla Rakhimova. With the conditions as heavy as they are, I think defence will trump offence.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Shane: Frech and Rakhimova both had impressive first-round victories. Frech has played well on the clay this season and should have the advantage of the slower surface. Rakhimova does not have the consistency to hang in the baseline rallies.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Glenys: This will be the fourth meeting between them. Rakhimova leads the head to head and holds a win on clay in the qualifying last year in Madrid. The Pole decimated seed Zhang in the first round and will look forward to trying to extend her participation here.
Prediction: Frech in 2
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Karolina Muchova vs Nadia Podoroska
All eyes are on Karolina Muchova after her quarter opened up on the back of her win over Maria Sakkari. Provided she can stay healthy, there’s no reason the Czech can’t make another deep run at a Slam. Nadia Podoroska likely won’t have the weaponry to trouble Muchova.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Shane: Muchova scored the upset of the tournament thus far when she defeated Sakkari in the first round. She holds a 20-7 record this year and is gaining confidence with each match. Nadia Podoroska is a clay-court specialist and will feel comfortable in that matchup. That said, Muchova’s in-form play should lead her to victory in a decisive third set.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
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Glenys: Their first meeting was seven years ago, which Podoroska won. But Muchova will be the favourite ahead of the second after she took out the eighth seed in the last round, which was a surprise to Sakkari to lose in straight sets. Muchova will back this win up
Prediction: Muchova in 2
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Clara Tauson vs Leylah Fernandez
Clara Tauson’s statement win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich has reminded us why she was so frequently hyped in 2021. The Dane finds consistent power off of both wings, enough to give her a chance in nearly any match when she’s at her best. Leylah Fernandez isn’t the best match up for her though—provided the Canadian turns up with the correct tactics, she should be able to outmanoeuvre the young phenom.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Shane: Fernandez picked up an impressive first-round victory over 21st seed Magda Linette. The 20-year-old Canadian is a tough player to square off against when playing confidently. Clara Tauson has been incredibly consistent in 2023. She is solid in all phases of the game and should be able to frustrate Fernandez into a multitude of unforced errors.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
Glenys: First meeting between the Canadian and the Dane. Tauson came through qualifying and eased through the first round losing only two games. Fernandez had a tougher first round, but took out the 21st seed in a match that went the distance. Another difficult match to call.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
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Jessica Pegula vs Camila Giorgi
Jack: Don’t let a little wobble from Jessica Pegula in Rome distract you from the fact that the American is still one of the top five most consistent players on the tour without a doubt and generally finds repeatability in her flat strikes on any surface. Of course, Camila Giorgi should never be underrated but Pegula will fancy her chances of consistently keeping the Italian off balance.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Shane: Third seed Pegula gets a tricky second-round matchup against Giorgi at the French Open. But Pegula has a 7-2 head-to-head lead over the Italian, including a 3-0 mark on the clay. Pegula has figured something out in this matchup and should be able to exploit Giorgi’s weaknesses again.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Glenys: The American has handy lead in the head-to-head. Including three unanswered wins on clay. Pegula should have little difficulty with the Italian. Giorgi had a straight sets win against Alize Cornet in the first round, but Pegula is a different proposition.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
