Rain upset the schedule a little, but we’ll still get the whole third round of women’s singles on Day 4 of the Paris Olympics. There are some great matchups in store, including Coco Gauff’s next match as her dream of three medals still remains alive. Will she win? As always, our writers share their thoughts. We split Tuesday’s eight matches between this and a separate article, featuring Danielle Collins vs Camila Osorio. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Manuel Traquete, and Ateet Shrivastava. Who do you think will advance?
Paris Olympics Women’s Day 4 Predictions
Maria Sakkari (Greece) vs Marta Kostyuk (Ukraine)
Jordan:
The first set of Kostyuk’s battle with Clara Burel was one of the best of the tournament so far, containing several incredible rallies. Sakkari has her work cut out if the Ukrainian produces that level again. The Greek is a better player than Kostyuk at her best, but it is hard to know what to expect from her. I will give her a narrow edge, but that is not predicted with certainty.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Manuel:
Both players are playing quite well this week and are yet to drop a set so this should be a very high quality and competitive match. That said, Sakkari is generally the better and more consistent player so she should have the slight edge.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Ateet:
Sakkari is moving efficiently through the draw as she has dropped only four games so far in two matches. She has a chance of getting a medal if she can continue playing at a high level. Marta Kostyuk hasn’t been in good form recently and these two wins are huge for her confidence. Sakkari is playing better tennis though and I will back her to win in straight sets.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Emma Navarro (United States) vs Qinwen Zheng (China)
Jordan:
Navarro fought through admirably against Viktoriya Tomova after dropping the first set, but she will need to play much better against Zheng. This is a tough one to call. Zheng possesses greater firepower, but Navarro is one of the best at disarming power on clay at her best, as she did against Madison Keys at the French Open. The American to win a close match.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Manuel:
Zheng is on a seven match win streak on clay, playing some really strong tennis. Navarro is having a really good season herself and this should quite a close match, but right now form and momentum seem to be on Zheng’s side.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Ateet:
Emma Navarro had to come back from a set down to win in her second-round match. She was in a battle and Tomova pushed her in the first two sets but Navarro took control of the match in the third set and got it done. Qinwen Zheng is on a seven-match win streak on clay and looks in supreme form. When these two faced off on clay a year ago, Zheng won quite easily. I expect a closer match this time but the same outcome.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Jasmine Paolini (Italy) vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (Slovakia)
Jordan:
Paolini will not be taking Schmiedlova for granted, who was excellent against Beatriz Haddad Maia in the last round. However, the Italian is unlikely to allow Schmiedlova to dictate the rallies like Haddad Maia did. The Italian’s powerful topspin forehand will probably control proceedings in this one.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Manuel:
Paolini’s amazing form seems to be continuing here in this tournament and she now faces an opponent she has generally dominated throughout her career. At the level she has been playing, she should be able to advance to the next round in relatively comfortable fashion.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Ateet:
Jasmine Paolini played an impressive match against Magda Linette, who was in good form. Paolini continues her fantastic run this season. Schmiedlova has been on a roll and is playing some of her best tennis on clay. She had another phenomenal performance to upset Beatriz Haddad Maia. Paolini will have her work cut out for this one but should prevail in the end.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Coco Gauff (United States) vs Donna Vekic (Croatia)
Jordan:
Vekic played well to defeat Bianca Andreescu in straight sets, who made her play a lot of extra balls. Gauff is a completely different level though, and clay is the most difficult surface for Vekic to beat her on. The US Open champion should be able to come through this with a bit to spare.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Manuel:
Gauff has arguably been the second best player on clay in recent years, only losing to Iga Swiatek time and again at the French Open, and she’s been playing very well so far this week, looking very likely to get a medal. Vekic has been playing well herself, but on clay Gauff should have a clear edge.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Ateet:
Coco Gauff is one of the top contenders for the Gold Medal and she has played like that so far. She won easily in her second-round match and looked good off the ground. Clay is the worst surface of Donna Vekic but she has played two solid matches against tough opponents. Her recent form is helping her to play at a high level but Gauff might prove to be too much for her.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
