The stage is set for an entertaining fourth day at the French Open with 16 second-round matches on the slate. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Elena Rybakina vs Yulia Starodubtseva, Iga Swiatek vs Sara Bejlek, and Elina Svitlona vs Kaitlin Quevedo. But who will reach the third round?
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Mirra Andreeva vs Marina Bassols Ribera
Amanda: Marina Bassols Ribera came through the French Open qualifying in dominant fashion and notched a first-round win over Emiliana Arango, but she’ll face a different level in Mirra Andreeva. Andreeva has been playing excellent tennis leading up to this tournament, looking the part of a top-10 player, and should be able to get this done quickly and advance to the third round.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Nurein: Andreeva looked extremely sharp in the opening round as she cruised past Fiona Ferro. Bassols Ribera has done commendably from qualifying where she beat former world #1 Karolina Pliskova. But the Spaniard is unlikely to hurt Andreeva who is one of the WTA’s elite ball strikers right now.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Andreas: Andreeva is typically unfazed in early round Grand Slam matches. While Bassols Ribera is on a tear in only her second Grand Slam appearance, the eighth seed should have too much experience for the occasion.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Marta Kostyuk vs Katie Volynets
Amanda: Marta Kostyuk hasn’t lost a match since March, and in her first round at the French Open she played some dominant tennis. Katie Volynets has had solid recent results, but beating Kostyuk on clay is a task no one has accomplished so far this year and it’s hard to see her falling in this match. Kostyuk can outhit Volynets from both wings and her movement should counter any attempts from Volynets to mix up the pace.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Nurein: Kostyuk is the most in-form player in the draw right now having not lost this swing and I don’t expect her undefeated struck to come to a halt here. Volynets is a player who loves to extend rallies, but Kostyuk’s aggressive edge to her game should be enough to dismiss the American.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Andreas: Kostyuk will look to make it 13-0 on the clay with a win Wednesday. Volynets secured a straightforward first round win over the home-favorite Clara Burel, but she’s historically struggled to win back-to-back matches at Grand Slams. The Ukrainian possesses way more firepower from the back of the court, and should turn the tables on this matchup after losing to Volynets in 2024.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Jasmine Paolini vs Solana Sierra
Amanda: 2024 French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini won her first-round match in straight sets, but if her recent results indicate a trend, she’s in jeopardy in this match. Her opponent, Solana Sierra, has been solid all clay season and had a confident win in the first round after previously never winning a match at Roland Garros. Right now, Paolini is vulnerable and far from her best, and Sierra can take advantage on a surface she’s comfortable on.
Prediction: Sierra in 3
Nurein: Solana Sierra nearly squandered a huge lead against Emma Raducanu, but the Argentine did enough to see off the Briton in straight sets. But this a match I expect Paolini to take control of proceedings. The Italian has not been at her free flowing best this season, but her intensity and ability to take time way from her opponents remain her strengths.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Andreas: Paolini hasn’t won back-to-back matches at any tournament since early March, as this match will be crucial to both her confidence and ranking. Sierra took Coco Gauff to three-sets earlier this month, while also cruising past Emma Raducanu in a first round matchup in Paris. Both players are comfortable on the dirt, though Sierra will have far less to lose. Expecting a tight encounter, with Paolini just coming out on top.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Tamara Korpatsch vs Wang Xinyu
Amanda: While Tamara Korpatsch hasn’t found much success in the bigger clay tournaments this season, she has been steady at the 125 level and showed her level with a straight-set win in the first round. Her opponent Xinyu Wang is coming into this match with less practice, having won four matches all clay season and none at the 500 or 1000 level. Wang had a close three-set win over Lilli Tagger in the first round, but Korpatsch is a much more experienced Grand Slam player than Tagger. While Wang can provide a challenge, Korpatsch is playing better tennis and should pull through in the end.
Prediction: Korpatsch in 3
Nurein: Korpatsch recoded a routine win against Sorribes Tormo, while Wang needed three sets to beat the talented Lilli Tagger. Wang has the superior power and ability to control the middle of the court provided she stays solid with her ground strokes.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Andreas: Wang Xinyu survived the tougher of the first round matches between these two, as she’s near a career-high ranking. However, she faced a three-match losing streak just prior to this tournament, while Korpatsch has been a bit steadier recently, albeit at lower tournament levels. She made a final of a WTA 125K event on clay in April, and dropped just six games in her opener here.
Prediction: Korpatsch in 3
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
