The third round of both the women’s and men’s singles events start on Day 6 of the French Open. As always, our staff here at LWOT shares our thoughts on the matches with you. We split the Day 6 between this and a separate article. matches Predicting Friday’s matches are Jakub Bobro, Damian Kust, and Jack Edward. Who do you think will advance to Round 4?
French Open Day 6 Women’s Predictions
Daria Kasatkina vs Peyton Stearns
Jakub:
We will not be getting a Rome rematch between “enemies turned friends” Kasatkina and Jelena Ostapenko thanks to Peyton Stearns, who has continued to play at a high-level across surfaces and levels since coming out of college. Kasatkina dealt with the potential threats of Jule Niemeier and Marketa Vondrousova very well though and with the added pressure of defending a semifinal, I expect her to advance past yet another potentially dangerous spoiler.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Damian:
Stearns played a fabulous match against Ostapenko and this matchup isn’t that bad for her either. Kasatkina has so much variety, but her style will let the American have some fun with the heavy forehand and attack her serve. The ninth seed is coming off a big win herself though and her creative counter-punching might just let her edge it.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 3
Jack:
Daria Kasatkina has announced herself at this year’s French Open by defeating the 2019 finalist, Marketa Vondrousova. I went big on Vondrousova this tournament, failing to anticipate the level Kasatkina would bring to the court. The Russian looks as reliable as she did at last year’s French Open and shouldn’t have a problem defeating Jelena Ostapenko’s vanquisher, Peyton Stearns.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
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Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Anastasia Potapova
Jakub:
Pavlyuchenkova won the last five games against Liudmila Samsonova to win the match 7-5 in the third. Now the former finalist faces another young Russian in Potapova, who has looked good in wins over Taylor Townsend and Mayar Sherif. I expect a pretty even match with Pavlyuchenkova slightly edging it.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Damian:
Pavluchenkova’s comeback has sped up so much the past couple of weeks and the finalist from two years ago is now a threat again. Potapova is one of the most improved players of the season though and possibly one of the next top 10 debutants. It should be tight, but I’ll take the up-and-comer.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Jack:
The battle of the Anastasias should be high quality. Pavlyuchenkova is regaining traction and won’t back down without a fight. I’m too enamoured by Potapova’s game on this surface, however, to back anything but a straight sets win. Any time on the ball and the point is over. Expect big hitting with the biggest hitter coming out on top.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Karolina Muchova vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Jakub:
An interesting match-up here; Muchova taking out Maria Sakkari but getting bageled in a second-round win over Nadia Podoroska while the less-fancied Begu dropped just nine games across her first two rounds against Anna Bondar and Sara Errani. The Romanian has also won their previous two meetings, both on clay. I expect a close contest with Begu emerging as the winner.
Prediction: Begu in 3
Damian:
What a bizarre second set that was from Muchova against Podoroska, barely winning points. With the Czech’s track record, you always gotta wonder if it’s not some physical issue showing up. Begu is a formidable foe and will now allow her a slip like that, so she’s gotta be ready.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Jack:
Everybody is backing a deep run for Karolina Muchova. It’s easy to get carried away and forget the constant injury woes the Czech has faced throughout her career. Given it’s still early in the tournament, I’m expecting her to be in relatively full health for her match against Irina-Camelia Begu. She should be able to win playing close to her average level.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Jakub:
After eliminating Marta Kostyuk, the road has been quite open for Sabalenka to break her third-round loss streak and make a deep run in Paris. Rakhimova has gotten two nice straight-set wins over Sara Bejlek and Magdalena French but there is a reason why Sabalenka hovers around 96% implied probability for most bookmakers. Rakhimova will not be the one to stop her.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Damian:
The first set against Shymanovich wasn’t exactly smooth-sailing from Sabalenka, but she has managed to put that loss to Kenin in Rome past her and show that she’ll be a threat here. Rakhimova is a fine player, but she’s unlikely to have a lot of control over how this match goes.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Jack:
Aryna Sabalenka seems to have settled in and is probably in little danger of beating herself. Assuming that’s the case, it would take some phenomenal power to outhit the Belarusian or (more likely) it would take a solid grinder to make her implode. Kamilla Rakhimova ticks neither of those boxes.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
