The second round of the women’s singles starts on Day 4 of the French Open. We will get to see 16 matches scheduled for Wednesday, and our writers here at LWOT will predict all of them for you, as always. We split the matches between four articles. Our other three articles feature Coco Gauff vs Tamara Zidansek, Danielle Collins vs Olga Danilovic, and Ons Jabeur vs Camila Osorio. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Shane Black, and Nurein Ahmed. Who do you think will advance?
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Katerina Siniakova vs Chloe Paquet
Jordan:
Siniakova has lost a lot of second round matches this season and she will be wary of Paquet, who demolished Diana Shnaider in the last round. However, the Czech’s game is built more on consistency than Shnaider’s. That will put the onus more on the Frenchwoman, which might suit her less.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Shane:
Katerina Siniakova is approaching a new career-high ranking on the WTA Tour. The 28-year-old has always preferred clay as her best surface and should have no problem dispatching world No. 136 Chloe Paquet.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Nurein:
Katerina Siniakova is massively underrated, and I think she might just sneak into the second week unnoticed. With a clay title in the bag, the Czech should be well-placed to bring that momentum into this match against Chloe Paquet, whose presence in the second round is a bit of a shock.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Cristina Bucsa vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Jordan:
Cocciaretto played some of the best tennis of her career in the deciding set against Beatriz Haddad Maia. She starts as the favourite against Bucsa, who is generally more comfortable on hard courts than clay. The Italian’s confidence after her great first round win will probably make the difference in this one.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 2
Shane:
Cristina Bucsa has not played good tennis this year. She has won just three main draw WTA level matches on the dirt in 2024. Her younger Italian counterpart has a tremendous future in this sport and should relish the opportunity to push Bucsa around the court.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 2
Nurein:
For the second straight year, Cocciaretto knocked out a Top 20 lefty in her opening match. But the Italian has struggled for consistency, often buckling in the face of pressure as the favorite. She will be here, but I’d take the disciplined and versatile Bucsa to win this match. The Spaniard is tough to beat and will draw an error too many from the Italian’s racket.
Prediction: Bucsa in 3
Leylah Fernandez vs Xiyu Wang
Jordan:
Fernandez comprehensively won her opening round match, while Wang fought through in a tight battle. At her best, Fernandez is the better player on the dirt, but she has been very inconsistent this season. I will back the Canadian but it might be closer than it should be.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Shane:
Leylah Fernandez is just 3-8 over the past three months. 23-year-old Xiyu Wang has not been much better, but I trust the Chinese to raise her level and battle past the No. 31 seed.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Nurein:
This will be a match between two vibrant lefties. Xiyu Wang is a massive talent but can be a bit one-dimensional. Fernandez has so much variety in my eyes, and she’ll have enough to unsettle the Chinese who struggled to beat her compatriot Bai in her opening match.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Naomi Osaka
Jordan:
This is obviously a very exciting matchup of heavyweight players. In truth though, it is unlikely to be a close contest. Osaka, despite possessing the powerful style that can sometimes trouble Swiatek, is not close to the world No. 1’s level on clay. Swiatek to progress comfortably.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Shane:
Iga Swiatek has been nearly unbeatable on the clay over the past five years. Naomi Osaka won’t fear the moment, but I doubt she brings a level that competes with the three-time champion. Swiatek’s consistency and movement will prove to be too much.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Nurein:
Swiatek is at the top of her game. Naomi Osaka, not so much. She only rejoined the Tour at the start of 2024 after being away on maternity leave for a year. It’ll take her a while before she gets back to the upper echelons of the sport. It’s a blockbuster on paper, but the Pole is currently well clear on the match court.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
