We begin the second round of the French Open on Day 4. Every woman playing on Wednesday already has a match under her belt. We can know how they’ve looked at least once before they take the court on Day 4. And, we’re here to predict these Day 4 matches for you. (We also have two other sets of Day 4 predictions. One features Johanna Konta vs Lauren Davis and the other headlines Garbine Muguruza vs Johanna Larsson.) Predicting these matches today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Jim Smith, and Tracey Essex.
French Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions
Belinda Bencic vs Laura Siegemund
Jim:
After what had surely been a very frustrating period for Bencic, the Swiss has recaptured her best form in recent months and will surely be targeting a deep run in Paris. Siegemund has the quality to give her a pause for a while, but it is hard to see her managing to derail Bencic entirely.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Tracey:
Belinda Bencic played a picture perfect first round match. With just 10 unforced errors, the Swiss commanded the court, firing off 30 winners with complete ease. Laura Siegemund turned in a masterful first round performance with just eight unforced errors and a solid serve. But against Bencic, I doubt Siegemund can find that same high level. The Swiss has the ability to punish Siegemund’s deficient second serve. I see Belinda Bencic making her first Round 3 appearance in Paris.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Yesh:
Bencic came out on fire in her first match. Her second set wasn’t quite as dominant. Siegemund, meanwhile, looked just as strong. She should be able to hand around with Bencic for a while, but the Swiss’ superior talent will eventually come through.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Rebecca Peterson vs Donna Vekic
Jim:
Peterson was very impressive in her 6-3 7-5 win over former-quarterfinalist Yulia Putintseva and will surely come into this match full of confidence. Vekic, meanwhile, has rather flattered to deceive so far in her career, with her results thus far failing to live up to her impressive potential. But she has the power to hit through Peterson from both wings and, if she remains focused, she should be able to do exactly that.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Tracey:
Croatia’s Donna Vekic gave up just six games in her opener. Winning 82% first serve and an impressive 71% second serve, Vekic looks to be in great shape to see the third round. I’m sure Rebecca Peterson gained confidence from her unexpected win over Yulia Putintseva in her first round meet-up. But, Donna Vekic is a much tougher and experienced opponent, one which Peterson would be hard pressed to beat.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
Yesh:
Peterson was incredible in her first match, coming through against the better Yulia Putintseva in straight sets. Still, it will be hard for the Swede to replicate that against Donna Vekic. If she can, she’ll win again. But it’s hard to say that will happen.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Petra Martic vs Kristina Mladenovic
Jim:
Under the tutelage of Naomi Osaka’s former coach Sascha Bajin, Mladenovic has been a woman renewed. Her run to the Italian Open quarterfinals earlier this month was most impressive and she played some very good tennis to beat her countrywoman Fiona Ferro in the first round. She will need to be that good again to get past Petra Martic, but with the backing of the Parisian crowd, Mladenovic should be able to get over the line against the Croatian.
Prediction: Mladenovic in 3
Tracey:
Petra Martic is enjoying a fabulous clay court season marked by deep runs in each of the three clay court tournaments played. The Croat gave up just three games in her opening match, fueled by her solid return of serve. While Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic is playing some of the best and most consistent tennis I’ve seen in a long time, I don’t think she has the tools to challenge an in-form Martic on clay.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Yesh:
Martic is better than Mladenovic right now, without question. I don’t know if that will be enough now, though, against a rapidly-improving Mladenovic in front of a raucous French crowd. Give me the hometown hero with the upset.
Prediction: Mladenovic in 3
Sloane Stephens vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Jim:
Stephens may not have made a great start to the season by her standards, but she looked sharp in dispatching Misaki Doi in the first round. She will likely have to remain focused again up against Spain’s Sorribes Tormo, who impressed against Alison Van Uytvanck. But Stephens has more than enough in her locker to beat the Spaniard, particularly on the slow clay, where her athleticism can come to the fore.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Tracey:
It seems Stephens is finding her form, cleanly striking the ball and gaining more comfortable wins. Clay is the Spaniard Sorribes Tormo’s best surface and she’ll create some great points. But it’s Sloane Stephens who’s on an upswing, shaking off the erratic play, and finding some consistency. Stephens should move easily into the third round.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Yesh:
Sorribes Tormo upset Alison Van Uytvanck (by the numbers anyway) in impressive fashion. Can she do the same to Sloane Stephens? I wouldn’t con’t on it, but don’t be surprised if she makes it really close against the 2017 US Open champion.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
