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
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Kayla Day
Andreas:
This event has been a great career boost for both players. While both players seem to be evenly matched, Schmiedlova should be the favorite just because of her experience playing in more Slams than the American. However, Day has a great forehand and is riding a lot of confidence, so I think she’ll pull out the upset. Taking out Keys is also a massive confidence boost, as the win over her fellow American was one of the upsets of the tournament.
Prediction: Day in 3
Nurein:
Kayla Day upset Madison Keys and extended her great run of form on clay this season. But this is unchartered waters for her, and Schmiedlova is the veteran in this matchup and a more experienced clay-court specialist.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 3
Jack:
This is a great opportunity for both lower-ranked players–experience might come into play here. Anna Karolina Schmiedlova would be expected to handle the situation with a clearer head than her younger opponent, Kayla Day. I think Schmiedlova will ultimately benefit from a quick start.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 3
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Elena Rybakina vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Andreas:
Another day, another step closer to a Swiatek-Rybakina semi. Rybakina cruised in her second round match, and thrives against players that lack pace. Sorribes Tormo is certainly playing better than her ranking suggests, but Rybakina is a betting favorite in Paris for a reason. Look for Sorribes Tormo to try and keep the ball deep in order to turn this match into a messy encounter.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Nurein:
If Elena Rybakina needed a test before the second week, this is one of them. Sorribes Tormo is a natural counterpuncher who makes her living on the dirt. But grinding points against Rybakina, who is in such stellar form, is not a recipe for success.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jack:
This is the third round I was hoping for. Sara Sorribes Tormo could be the only thorn in Elena Rybakina’s side en route to the semifinals but it depends so much on the conditions. Things would have to grind to a screeching halt in night-time conditions on the wet courts of Simonne Mathie for Sorribes Tormo to weave her web. Unfortunately for the Spaniard, the bigger names on the women’s side have generally played during the day and Rybakina has played on Lenglen so far so I’ll have to back the Kazakh. Look out for the scheduling though.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Ons Jabeur vs Olga Danilovic
Andreas:
Danilovic made headlines winning a WTA 250 in 2018, and has faded from the WTA life until now. Still young on Tour, expect some good results from her in the future. As of now, however, Jabeur’s crafty game should force a lot of errors from her younger opponent. This is also Danilovic’s first time in a Slam Round of 32.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Nurein:
Jabeur’s French Open participation was in real jeopardy after picking up a serious calf injury in Stuttgart. Luckily for the Tunisian, it didn’t ruin her chances of playing in Paris and performing at a high level. Even with Danilovic enjoying her best run at a Grand Slam, it would be a seismic shock if she felled the seventh seed.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Jack:
Ons Jabeur brings so much variety to a natural surface. Olga Danilovic is on an incredible streak but Jabeur knows how to counter the Serb’s kind of power. The disparity in confidence will be enough to make things very tight but I rate Jabeur too highly on clay not to choose her as favourite.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Xinyu Wang
Andreas:
As expected, defending champion Swiatek has been on a tear this tournament. Both of her first two matches had some slow starts, yet she was able to recover and ironically win both matches 6-4 6-0. Wang Xinyu also hasn’t dropped a set and has some weapons. Could be a tougher match for the World No. 1, but she should still get it done in two.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Nurein:
The ominous question during the first week of the French Open is whether anyone has a prayer of a chance of stopping Iga Swiatek. And judging by how fit and ready Swiatek looks, the prospect of an upset is unlikely.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jack:
Iga Świątek is quietly going about her business, adding produce to her ever-growing bakery. It will take an extremely powerful player to throw Swiatek off her rhythm at Roland Garros. Xin Yu Wang doesn’t pack enough of a punch.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Taya Gray/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
