The entire second round of women’s singles at the Paris Olympics is scheduled for Day 3 of the event. The rain wasn’t kind to the first round, but hopefully the schedule can get back on track starting on Monday. As always, us here at LastWordOnTennis offer our thoughts on all of the matches. We split Monday’s 16 matches into four articles. The other three articles feature Jessica Pegula vs Elina Svitolina, Iga Swiatek vs Diane Parry, and Danielle Collins vs Caroline Wozniacki. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Manuel Traquete, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will reach Round 3?
Paris Olympics Women’s Day 3 Predictions
Qinwen Zheng (China) vs Arantxa Rus (Netherlands)
Jordan:
Rus is tough to hit through on clay. The Dutchwoman will try and emulate Elina Avanesyan, who ground down and frustrated Zheng at this year’s French Open. But Zheng is in great form after winning the title in Palermo heading into the Olympics, and I think she will have enough to overcome Rus.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Manuel:
After some very difficult months, Zheng won the title in Palermo and the first round here with some very good performances and she should be able to continue her run here assuming she maintains that level.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Yesh:
Zheng has had a rough year since her run to the Australian Open final. She seems to be better at the moment, but it’s hard to trust her. Then again, I don’t think Rus has quite the game to throw her off here. It might be close, though.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Maria Sakkari (Greece) vs Yue Yuan (China)
Jordan:
This is a good second round draw for Sakkari. Yuan, despite her win against Ekaterina Akexandrova in the last round, is not natural on clay. Sakkari has suffered some upsets this year, but this would be the worst of them all if it happened.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Manuel:
Sakkari has long been a Top 10 mainstay, one of the most consistent players on tour. She comfortably beat Yuan in their two previous meetings and the same should happen again here.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Yesh:
Sakkari is a better player in general, and Yuan doesn’t love clay either. That’s a bad combination.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Camila Osorio (Colombia) vs Dayana Yastremska (Ukraine)
Jordan:
Osorio is a very good player on clay, and her victory against Jekena Ostapenko was not as big of an upset as some have made it out to be. Yastremska plays a similar brand of ultra-attacking tennis to Ostapenko. The Ukrainian is dangerous at her best, but I like Osorio’s chance of grinding out a win again.
Prediction: Osorio in 3
Manuel:
Osorio caused arguably the biggest upset of the tournament so far with her win over Ostapenko in the first round and she will be plenty motivated coming into this second round. She might well continue her run here with another upset.
Prediction: Osorio in 3
Yesh:
It’s taken a few years, but Osorio is finally finding her potential. Her clay game is incredible, and she’s finding a way to keep it precise. She’s going to be a clay force on Tour for the next few years, and she’s starting to show it now.
Prediction: Osorio in 2
Coco Gauff (United States) vs Maria Lourdes Carle (Argentina)
Jordan:
Carle’s 6-0 6-0 demolition of Tatjana Maria was quite bewildering to watch. Unfortunately, her German opponent played one of the worst matches of her career. Carle will be brought straight back to earth against Gauff. Expect the 2022 French Open runner-up to dictate the rallies throughout and triumph easily.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Manuel:
Gauff has arguably been the second best player at Roland Garros in recent years, only losing time and again to Iga Swiatek. That of course makes her a favorite to at least get a medal here and she should be able to make easy work of this round.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Yesh:
Coco Gauff is probably winning at least one medal here. She has great opportunities in both this draw and both doubles tournaments, and Carle isn’t good enough to slow her down right now.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
