All four women’s quarterfinal matches will be contested on Tuesday and Wednesday at the French Open. Only one of the top eight seeds have advanced through to this round. So while Iga Swiatek remains a heavy favorite to take home the trophy, everything else is completely up in the air. As always, our writers share their thoughts on the matches. Predictions the quarterfinals are Jim Smith, Jakub Bobro, Andy Watson, and Ryan Schick.
French Open Women’s Quarterfinal Predictions
Leylah Fernandez vs Martina Trevisan
Jim:
It has been another excellent run at the French Open for Martina Trevisan. Can the in-form Italian take it one step further than she did in 2020? It’s not out of the question, but it doesn’t look like the likeliest outcome. Leylah Fernandez’s efforts in getting to the US Open final were rather overshadowed by Emma Raducanu winning it, but the Canadian is clearly an excellent player and she has plenty of big match experience, especially for such a young player.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Jakub:
To say Trevisan got an easy draw to the quarterfinals here would be a severe understatement with the Italian’s most difficult opponents being Aliaksandra Sasnovich or Daria Saville. Fernandez has had a tougher road, being thoroughly tested by Belinda Bencic and Amanda Anisimova in her last two matches, pushed to three sets in both. Fernandez is a level above any of Trevisan’s previous opponents here and after the Canadian’s last two wins I struggled to see her losing to the likes of Trevisan.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Andy:
Similarly to Sloane Stephens, Fernandez is becoming something of a Grand Slam specialist. She thoroughly deserves this quarterfinal slot and her determination and movement will probably be too much for the hugely in-form Trevisan to handle.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Ryan:
Fernandez has bounced back strong after a tough loss in the US Open final. Trevisan hasn’t dropped a set here yet, though has yet to play a seed. Fernandez has fought through a difficult draw and shown she’s a big match player. Fernandez will use her strong forehand to overpower Trevisan on the way to another semifinal.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Daria Kasatkina vs Veronika Kudermetova
Jim:
This is a massive opportunity for both players. Veronika Kudermetova has probably been playing the better tennis of the two this season, but Daria Kasatkina perhaps has a little more “x-factor” than her compatriot. She showed as much in dismantling Camila Giorgi for the loss of only four games in the fourth round. If she can replicate that sort of performance, expect her to get past Kudermetova without encountering too many problems.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Jakub:
Despite the fact that both players are Russian and of the same age, Kasatkina and Kudermetova have only played each other once at the pro level, with Kasatkina winning their three-set clash at St. Petersburg last year, though she also beat Kudermetova three times in juniors. Kasatkina has ripped through her draw like a tornado, most recently beating Camila Giorgi 6-2 6-2 while dropping just 14 games across her four matches here. Kudermetova has not been on that level but came back from a set down against Madison Keys. With Kasatkina’s form and their previous meetings, she has to be the favorite.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Andy:
Probably the quarterfinal that I would pay to see from the four. Kasatkina has played some sublime tennis recently and none more so than in Paris. She has the capability to beat anyone with her skill and clean striking. But Kudermetova has been threatening a run like this for some time and showed in her last match against Madison Keys that she is capable of coming back from a disaster and that shows real determination. I think that perhaps in the real crunch moments that will matter more than the pure skill.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Ryan:
Kasatkina is excellent on clay and is quietly a serious contender to win the tournament. She has dominated so far, not losing more than three games in a set. Kudermetova has been strong as well, though she was a beneficiary of a retirement by third-seed Paula Badosa. Kasatkina has the better game and is in top form and will cruise to victory.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Jessica Pegula
Jim:
Jessica Pegula can win this match. Not least because Iga Swiatek has not been at her dominant best in her last two matches, with Danka Kovinic testing her and Zheng Qinwen taking a set off her. But that is very a different proposition to saying that she will win this match. Pegula deserves great credit for her efforts on the clay this season, but this will probably be a challenge too far for the American.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Jakub:
Swiatek dropped her first set in nine matches against Qinwen Zheng. The last time the Pole lost a set was in the Stuttgart semifinals to Liudmila Samsonova more than five weeks ago. The World No. 1 still remains the favorite for the title for me despite not playing her best tennis all the way through her last two matches. Pegula, set to make a Top 10 debut after Roland Garros, had to come back from a set down against Romanian veteran Irina-Camelia Begu. The two have played two previous matches, both on hard, with Swiatek winning their most recent meeting in the Miami semifinals. On clay, the 20-year-old has to be the favorite.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Andy:
Well, the Pole will not win the tournament without dropping a set. The depth of the Zheng Qinwen groundstrokes prevented the world #1 taking her customary position just inside the baseline and Swiatek was unable to dominate points the way she usually does. Until she did. The way that Swiatek was able to re-gather herself and totally dominate from that point was breathtaking. Pegula has the game in her to do similar to Zheng but, as always, the question is if she can sustain the pressure for long enough. I’m going to say no, but I will give Pegula a set and a chance.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Ryan:
It is impossible to pick against Swiatek. Pegula has played well but had a couple of shaky matches on her way to the quarterfinals. It will take an extraordinary performance to even have a chance to beat Swiatek, and on clay Pegula doesn’t have enough to produce that. Swiatek will keep winning and maybe even score another bagel.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Coco Gauff vs Sloane Stephens
Jim:
This should be an entertaining match. It also feels like an important one, even if to describe it as a potential changing of the guard would be an exaggeration considering their respective recent form. In fact, is that recent form that suggests Gauff will win this match. This has been an encouraging tournament for Stephens, but expect her younger compatriot to have just about too much.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Jakub:
This all-American derby in the quarterfinals is probably the most attractive match-up. Gauff now has the guarantee of defending her points from last year so the pressure is off for the 18-year-old. Stephens has been great at this French Open, especially in her most recent match, winning 12 straight games against Jil Teichmann. Their previous meeting was won by the 29-year-old at last year’s US Open and if Stephens brings her level from the Teichmann match, it is tough to see Gauff winning.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Andy:
The highest peak I have seen from either player is from Stephens. The older American has made a habit in her career of being able to peak for the biggest events and she hs done the same here. Gauff will be, by far, Stephens’ most difficult opponent though, albeit the reverse is also true. Gauff does seem very much in control of her game though and is making clear incremental improvements. In this match I’m just going to edge towards the experience of Stephens to be the decisive factor.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Ryan:
Both players have surprisingly good games on clay. Gauff is less used to the big stage and is trying to make her first Major semifinal, but she has not dropped a set all tournament. Stevens is a former finalist here and looks to be in form. She has struggled with inconsistency but when she is locked in can be almost impossible to beat and she will win a close one.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
