We begin the second round on Day 4 of the French Open. 28 women will compete for the opportunity to advance to the third round. We predict all 14 of the matches for you, split between four articles. In addition to this article, the other articles feature Belinda Bencic vs Daria Kasatkina, Victoria Azarenka vs Clara Tauson, and Serena Williams vs Mihaela Buzarnescu. Who do you think will advance? Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Fraser Learmonth, and Andrew Watson.
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Danielle Collins vs Anhelina Kalinina
Jim:
Anhelina Kalinina added to Angelique Kerber’s growing struggles with a comprehensive 6-2 6-4 win over the German in the first round. But Danielle Collins too looked sharp in her opener and the American is the better player of the two. Expect her power and ability to take the ball on the rise to prove the difference here.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Fraser:
That Collins is even playing the French Open is remarkable. The American had a massive cyst removed recently, but showed no signs of struggle in her comfortable first round win. She is a real danger when she is in a groove and will like her chances of moving on here against an inferior opponent in Kalinina.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Andrew:
Going to back Danielle Collins to come through again here. When it comes to Majors the American doesn’t seem to take no for an answer, and that could pile the pressure onto Kalinina.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Jim:
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova made a fast start to her French Open campaign, crushing Christina McHale for the loss of only four games. Ajla Tomljanovic played well enough in her opener–beating Katerina Kozlova 6-2 6-4–to suggest that she will offer more resistance, but this is a match that Pavlyuchenkova should view as more than winnable.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Fraser:
Pavlyuchenkova comes into this tournament in great form and is a perennial performer in the women’s game. She has never gone all the way in a Grand Slam, but consistently makes good runs at big tournaments. Tomljanovic by contrast is lest consistent and streakier than the Russian. When she is on, she is brilliant, but those days are too few for her to make consistent headway on the women’s tour. That should be the difference here.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Andrew:
One of the longest surname matches in the draw surely. I like Pavlyuchenkova in this matchup. She managed to produce 24 winners to 22 unforced in her opening round match and if she can keep that ratio in the positive then she wins here too.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Madison Keys vs Leylah Fernandez
Jim:
Madison Keys is not at her most comfortable on the clay, but her power is such that she can be a dangerous opponent on this surface. Particularly for a player such as Leylah Fernandez, who typically likes to play with a fair amount of margin and trust in her court coverage.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Fraser:
Teen sensation Leylah Fernandez continues to take the women’s game by storm in 2021. The Canadian has rapidly risen to well inside the top 100 on the women’s game and looks destined to continue that rise given her play this year. However, Madison Keys is a seasoned veteran on the tour and borderline top ten player when at her best. She is short of matches, but the American probably has too much for Fernandez in this one.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Andrew:
This U.S. vs Canada matchup will be a clash of styles. It seems too long since Keys was seen as a serious contender for any Grand Slam she entered but again she will need to build some confidence as she could well take advantage of the open nature of the competition. However, Fernandez will be tough to beat. The youngster’s movement and skills are excellent and she could chase down a lot of Keys’ shots.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Petra Kvitova vs Elena Vesnina
Editor’s note: This match was canceled before publishing as Kvitova withdrew from the tournament. As such, the predictions for this match are not included.
Main Photo from Getty.
