Second-round action will get underway on day four at the French Open with 16 intriguing matches on the schedule in Paris. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Caroline Garcia vs Anna Blinkova, Jessica Pegula vs Camila Giorgi and Daria Kasatkina vs Marketa Vondrousova. But who will reach the last 32?
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Elise Mertens vs Camila Osorio
Shane: 28th seed Elise Mertens draws a tricky second-round matchup against 21-year-old Camila Osorio. The Columbian favors the clay as her best surface but has lacked consistency this season. I favor Mertens’ ability to dictate the pace of play from the baseline.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Yesh: Mertens looked like her old self in her opening match, which could be scary for the field. Osorio has looked strong in qualifying, but her peak is nowhere near the Belgian’s right now.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Glenys: The Belgian and Colombian have met once on tour, on grass. Mertens won that match up. Osorio was the top qualifying seed and eased through to the main draw. Then the Colombian needed the full three sets to get beyond Bogdan. Mertens shouldn’t have too much trouble with Osorio.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
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Leolia Jeanjean vs Elena Avanesyan
Shane: Leolia Jeanjean and Elina Avanesyan took three sets to win their first-round battles in Paris. Avanesyan has had the better season, but Jeanjean will have the French faithful behind her. Her veteran presence will lead her to a tight three-set victory.
Prediction: Jeanjean in 3
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Yesh: This is a tremendous opportunity for both of these players, as reaching a Major third round is rare. Avanesyan is probably a better player, and she’s coming off an impressive upset, but I’ll go with the hometown player here.
Prediction: Jeanjean in 3
Glenys: The first meeting of these two. The Frenchwoman will have the crowd behind her for her home Grand Slam. Avanesyan made the main draw as a lucky loser from qualifying and then took full advantage. Surprising Bencic and taking out the seeded player. This will be an exciting match up but Jeanjean will have the advantage.
Prediction: Jeanjean in 3
Jelena Ostapenko vs Peyton Stearns
Shane: Jelena Ostapenko has won five of her last six matches but faces a formidable second-round opponent in Peyton Stearns. The 2022 NCAA Champion picked up a solid opening victory over Katerina Siniakova. Stearns can win points in a variety of ways, but Ostapenko’s experience and power will lead her to victory.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Yesh: Stearns is going to be a star, and soon. Ostapenko’s clay game can hit her off the court, but it’s hard to trust the Latvian’s consistency. I’m smelling an upset here.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Glenys: Ostapenko is the favourite for this match. The Latvian has won this event before, although it was back in 2017. Since then though the Latvian has struggled to regain that type of form. But she did reach the semifinals in Rome. Stearns is a new name on the tour, only turning professional last year. The American had a great first round win against a consistent Grand Slam player. Although the favourite, this is going to be a difficult match for the Latvian
Prediction: Stearns in 3
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Aryna Sabalenka vs Iryna Shymanovic
Shane: I do not think this matchup between two 25-year-old Belarusians will be much of a battle. Aryna Sabalenka has been one of the best players on tour this year and continued that success with a 6-3 6-2 first-round victory over world #39 Marta Kostyuk. She should handily defeat Iryna Shymanovic.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Yesh: Sabalenka looked in superb form in her opening match. She’ll be challenged at this event soon, but not right now.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Glenys: The second seed is fairly handy on clay. Runner up in Madrid and taking Swiatek to three sets before ultimately losing. However in the Italian Open Sabalenka lost in the first round. Here in Paris the first round was a fairly straight forward win. This is the first meeting of the Belarusians. Shymanovic has come through qualifying to make the main draw before winning a tough three-set battle, but it is hard to see her going any further.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
