The first women’s semifinal at the French Open is set: Tamara Zidansek vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. As always, we here at LWOT are also predicting the second women’s semifinal between Maria Sakkari and Barbora Krejcikova. Our writers offer their thoughts on the match. Predicting this match are Damian Kust, Jim Smith, Nurein Ahmed, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will win?
French Open Women’s Semifinal Predictions
Tamara Zidansek vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Damian:
Pavlyuchenkova has been inside the Top 50 forever, consistently grabbing great wins in tournaments around the world. She’s now finally reaping the rewards, and while she may be a maiden Grand Slam semifinalist like Zidansek, experience is surely on her side here. The Slovenian had a tougher path to get here with two marathon wins over Bianca Andreescu and Paula Badosa. Her performance on pivotal points has been extraordinary and the all or nothing forehands won her the last two games of the quarterfinal. But such approach can’t last forever and I think the Russian is much more ready for a match like that mentally.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Nurein:
It was jaw-dropping and a case of deja vu the way Tamara Zidansek managed to save three breakpoints at six-all in the decider against Paula Badosa. That was one of the best women’s matches at this year’s French Open.
The beauty of Grand Slam tennis is that national honor is also at stake, and it is quite crazy that Zidansek is just two match wins away from becoming one of the most prominent athletes in Slovenia. I think she will be a slight underdog in what should be a closely-contested semifinal. Pavlyuchenkova’s Grand Slam breakthrough was long overdue. If she stays true to her roots, there is a good chance she might be the antidote to Zidansek’s counterpunching game.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Jim:
As open women’s singles draws often are, it is still fairly astonishing that either Tamara Zidansek or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will find themselves in the French Open final. But both have earned their place in the semifinals and this should be an entertaining clash. The advantage surely lies with Pavlyuchenkova, however. The Russian is more versatile than Zidansek and, crucially, has vastly more experience to draw upon. That should give her a decisive edge.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Yesh:
What an incredible tournament this has been for both women. Pavlyuchenkova finally ended her Slam quarterfinal skid, while Zidansek has surprised everyone at every turn. The Russian is more talented and looks to finally match the expectations everyone has had for her career. Zidansek has won match after match this tournament as an underdog. She’ll have to do it again if she wants to reach the final, because the Russian has all the advantages in this one.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
