The third round concludes on Day 7 of the French Open, and we are in for some absolutely blockbuster women’s matches. Can anyone slow down Iga Swiatek? Is Coco Gauff or Mirra Andreeva the better teenage phenom? As always, our writers share their thoughts on all the day’s matches, split between this and a separate article. Predicting Saturday’s matches are Andreas Pelekis, Nurein Ahmed, and Jack Edward. Who do you think will advance?
French Open Day 7 Predictions
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Andreas:
Alexandrova’s made a sneaky run this week, winning in three against Tomova and in two against Friedsam. Haddad Maia’s form has also noticeably upped a level since some of her early clay matches in Stuggart and Madrid. There’s also a lot at stake for this match, as both players are vying to make the round of 16 for the first time. This should be a close one, with my thoughts leaning towards the Brazilian.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Nurein:
Alexandrova was ruthlessly efficient in brushing aside Anna-Lena Friedsam in the second round. Haddad Maia, meanwhile, is a picture of focus and intensity at this tournament, finding a way to win even without playing her best tennis against the dangerous lefty Diana Shnaider. These two players haven’t played in a while, so surface preference should aid Haddad Maia’s cause.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Jack:
Great play from Ekaterina Alexandrova to make it through Anna-Lena Friedsam so easily but her time at Roland Garros feels limited. Beatriz Haddad Maia’s game is far better suited for grinding out every point in these conditions than the Russian’s flat strokes.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
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Bianca Andreescu vs Lesia Tsurenko
Andreas:
Both players got some big wins in Round 1: over Azarenka and Krejckova, respectably. Notably, Tsurenko should go into this with a bit more of a break after her Round 2 match was hindered by an injured Davis and subsequent retirement. I feel that an open draw and this opportunity is something that will bring out the best in Andreescu. She hasn’t made a quarterfinal of a major since her 2019 US Open run, and this could very well be her return to such a stage.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Nurein:
When these two players clashed in Hua Hin earlier this season few could have predicted they would be vying for a place in the second week of the French Open. Great credit to Andreescu and Tsurenko who have learned from their past travails and managed to stay fit. A Top 20 win over Azarenka has boosted Andreescu’s belief that she too belongs in that group. Expect the Canadian to deliver a statement win on Saturday.
Prediction: Andreescu in 2
Jack:
Bianca Andreescu is into the third round of a Grand Slam as the favorite for the first time in a while. Don’t get too carried away, though, as Lesia Tsurenko will make things very physical. Despite the former US Open champion’s relatively small sample size on clay, I do think Andreescu’s a good enough clay-court player to coax the Ukrainian into consistently difficult enough positions on the court.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Bernarda Pera vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Andreas:
Cocciaretto has impressed me this tournament, especially with her win over Kvitova in Round 1. With Italians doing great at the tournament, she’ll definitely look to keep things going against Pera. Pera’s two wins came against power players in Kontaveit and Vekic, so this will definitely be a tough adjustment for the American. This should make Cocciaretto the slight favorite.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 3
Nurein:
If you watched Cocciaretto keenly this season, you would boldly assume she was due for a momentous win like the one she authored on Day 2 when she beat Petra Kvitova. Bernarda Pera has scored wins over Kontaveit and Vekic–a couple of heavy hitters who don’t easily transmit their free-flowing tennis on clay. This looks winnable for Cocciaretto, who is steadily improving in almost every facet of her game.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 3
Jack:
Bernarda Pera’s win over Donna Vekic may have gone under most folk’s radars. She was able to play heavier on return than Donna Vekic which could be a factor here against Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Still, if the Italian can repeatedly extend the rallies, I like her chances of squeaking over the finish line in these conditions.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 3
Coco Gauff vs Mirra Andreeva
Andreas:
On paper, Gauff would be the heavy favorite, but this is absolutely not the case. Andreeva has turned into a new star on the WTA tour, winning a multitude of ITF titles and picking up many top 100 wins; all of this done as a 16 year old, of course. Gauff’s improved in her last two matches, and I feel that her experience should give her the edge. This is a match Gauff will show up for, otherwise Andreeva absolutely could pull off the upset. 50-50 on this one.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Nurein:
This is hardly the kindest of draws for Coco Gauff. Mirra Andreeva, despite being only 16, is a conceivable draw disruptor. Should the Gauff forehand malfunction, Andreeva has shown she thrives playing in the moment and making her opponents pay for their mistakes. The young Russian looks primed for a maiden Top 10 win.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Jack:
Here’s where Coco Gaff’s season’s woes come to a head. It would hardly be the upset of the century but a third round loss after making the final last year will feel bitterly disappointing. The hype surrounding Mirra Andreeva is justified–I would expect to hold her composure even if things get tight.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
