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 Coco Gauff vs Maria Lourdes Carle, Jessica Pegula vs Elina Svitolina, 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
Emma Navarro (United States) vs Viktoriya Tomova (Bulgaria)
Jordan:
Tomova managed an impressive victory against the recent Prague Open finalist Magdalena Frech in the opening round. Navarro is a class above Frech on clay though. The Wimbledon quarterfinalist is solid in every department and Tomova is very likely to make several forced and unforced errors.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Manuel:
Navarro won when the pair faced earlier this year in Hobart and on clay she is an even bigger favorite. She is clearly the better player and should be able to progress here.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Yesh:
Navarro is in the midst of a career year and she’s putting in another impressive performance. She’s only getting better each tournament, and she’s going to continue to advance here.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Beatriz Haddad Maia (Brazil) vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (Slovakia)
Jordan:
Haddad Maia’s season has stalled in recent months, but it feels like the incredible support she receives from the Brazilian fans could inspire a deep run in Paris. Her supporters demonstrated that with amazing noise in the first-round against Varvara Gracheva. I feel Haddad Maia’s intensity will overwhelm Schmiedlova over three sets.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Manuel:
Haddad Maia is far higher ranked and better player of the two and on clay that difference should be even more pronounced. She had some issues in the first round but should be able to advance here.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Yesh:
I have trouble trusting Beatriz Haddad Maia in big matches. She’s failed too appear too many times over the past few years. And yet, she looked fine in the first round. I think Schmiedlova has the talent to pull the upset, though.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 3
Diana Shnaider (Neutral) vs Xiyu Wang (China)
Jordan:
Wang proved she can disarm power in her opening round win against Linda Nosková. Shnaider’s style is similar, but I trust her to find her range more consistently. She is in great form, and her mentality has improved a lot this season.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2
Manuel:
Shnaider has been rising fast and is already up to #23 in the world. She recently won the title in Budapest playing quite well and will certainly be confident of winning a medal here in Paris. She is a clear favorite here.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2
Yesh:
Shnaider is impressive and still improving. Wang has real potential, especially on hard courts, but not on clay.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2
Iga Swiatek (Poland) vs Diane Parry (France)
Jordan:
Parry is a strong clay court player and will certainly entertain her home French crowd with her some of her shotmaking. Unfortunately, coping with Swiatek’s intensity for an entire match is not going to happen. Parry’s one-handed backhand in particular will be exposed.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Manuel:
Swiatek is the huge favorite to get the Gold Medal here and this round is unlikely to be a very significant obstacle for her. She is by far the best player in the world on clay and her dominating at Roland Garros has been incredible in recent years.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Yesh:
There’s no need to go long on details here. There are maybe one or two women who can beat Iga Swiatek on the Parisian clay. Parry isn’t one of them.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
