After five days of upsets and entertaining tennis, the third round will commence on day six at the French Open with eight intriguing matches. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Belinda Bencic vs Angelique Kerber. But who will secure their spot in the last 16 in Paris?
French Open Day 6 Predictions
Amanda Anisimova vs Karolina Muchova
Jim: Karolina Muchova really does save her best tennis for the Slams. The Czech had played just three tournaments coming into the French Open, but stunned fourth seed Maria Sakkari 7-6 7-6 in the second round. That said, backing that up against Amanda Anisimova will be easier said than done. The American has rather more tennis behind her than Muchova and has looked sharp herself so far in Paris.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Fraser: This should be a fantastic match to watch. Both Anisimova and Muchova have looked very good so far in Paris. Both are great young talents who would probably sit inside the top 20 in the women’s game were it not for injuries and off-court issues in recent months. Anisimova has more power off the ground, but Muchova’s variety and movement on clay should be enough for her to edge this.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Andy: There are going some clean hits in this match. The Anisimova backhand is getting a good response from the Roland-Garros conditions and I expect Anisimova to move Muchova around too much for the Czech to handle on her comeback from a recent injury.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Martina Trevisan vs Daria Saville
Jim: Daria Saville is another player enjoying a fine French Open campaign having dismissed qualifier Valentina Grammatikopoulou and 32nd seed Petra Kvitova in short order. But she comes up against another player in excellent form in Martina Trevisan. The Italian has won her last seven matches, dropping just one set in the process, and has gone deep in Paris before.
Prediction: Trevisan in 3
Fraser: Trevisan has shown no signs of slowing down after picking up her first WTA title in Rabat last week. Saville will be a tough assignment here though, as the Aussie is full of confidence after a straight sets win over Kvitova in her last match. That being said, the Italian is the better player on clay and, if she is allowed to create angles for her forehand, she should win again here.
Prediction: Trevisan in 3
Andy: A good win over Kvitova in round two for Saville has set up this meeting but Trevisan is flying at the moment. The Italian has won seven in a row now after a title run in Rabat just before this tournament. She should ride this confidence and form through into this match and win it.
Prediction: Trevisan in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Sloane Stephens vs Diane Parry
Jim: There seemed to be little reason coming into this year’s French Open to expect Sloane Stephens to win a match, but the American has exceeded expectations in impressive fashion. So too has Diane Parry, who shocked Barbora Krejcikova in the first round before hammering Camila Osorio. If she can maintain that level, she may well have enough to score another famous win.
Prediction: Parry in 3
Fraser: Parry’s dream run in Paris continues after she dismissed Osorio in straight sets to reach the third round. The teen star faces a tougher test here though in former Grand Slam champion Stephens. The American has been wildly inconsistent and way off her best for going on three years now. However, her comeback against Cirstea showed she still has elite tennis in her locker. I think the home crowd gives Parry the edge here in what will be a tight match.
Prediction: Parry in 3
Andy: The flourishing backhand of Parry is working well at the moment and with two wins as an outsider already she will feel confident ahead of this one. Stephens has had to win in three sets in each of her matches but beating Sorana Cirstea is no mean feat. Tough to call but I think that Stephens seems to have the determination to battle hard this week so I think she’ll take it.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Varvara Gracheva vs Elise Mertens
Jim: With big names tumbling out of the draw at a remarkable rate, Elise Mertens could be primed for a big run at this year’s French Open. First, however, she will need to get past Varvara Gracheva. The Russian has two battling wins over Astra Sharma and Ajla Tomljanovic under her belt and should be full of confidence. But Mertens may have too much quality for the Russian.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Fraser: Gracheva rallied incredibly well to edge out Tomljanovic in three sets in the last round. She now has the pleasure of facing a well-rested Mertens in round three. The Belgian was given a walkover when Bouzkova withdrew with COVID. That lack of momentum may work against her here though. The Russian looks in good touch and it’s too early in the tournament for fatigue to be a factor. I think we may have an upset on our hands here.
Prediction: Gracheva in 3
Andy: Mertens has had some time off after a withdrawal so she will hope that she isn’t rusty for this encounter. Gracheva has battled through her opening couple of rounds really well but the consistency of Mertens may be the undoing of the Russian’s hopes.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
