The entire second round of women’s singles at the Paris Olympics is scheduled for Day 3 of the event. The rain wasn’t kind to the first round, but hopefully the schedule can get back on track starting on Monday. As always, us here at LastWordOnTennis offer our thoughts on all of the matches. We split Monday’s 16 matches into four articles. The other three articles feature Coco Gauff vs Maria Lourdes Carle, Iga Swiatek vs Diane Parry, and Jessica Pegula vs Elina Svitolina. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Manuel Traquete, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will reach Round 3?
Paris Olympics Women’s Day 3 Predictions
Jasmine Paolini (Italy) vs Magda Linette (Poland)
Jordan:
Linette, who won the Prague Open heading into the Olympics, continued her great run on clay by beating Mirra Andreeva in the opening round. The Pole’s momentum presents a challenge to Paolini, but not enough to upset this year’s French Open runner-up. Paolini is able to match Linette’s defensive skills, while also having more firepower at her disposal.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Manuel:
Paolini is having an unbelievable season despite two Slam final losses. Her level this year makes her one of the favorites to at least get a medal here and she should be able to make relatively easy work of this round.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Yesh:
Jasmine Paolini has reached the final of her last two Majors. This isn’t quite a Major, but her blend of aggression and court coverage is almost unbeatable right now.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Donna Vekic (Croatia) vs Bianca Andreescu (Canada)
Jordan:
Andreescu was really impressive against Clara Tauson. She delivered a masterclass in how to defuse a powerful hitter. Vekic is a better player than Tauson, but I have a feeling Andreescu could pull off an upset. Putting balls in play and making the rallies physical is usually the best way to beat Vekic, and the Canadian does that excellently.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Manuel:
Vekic is fresh off a heartbreaking loss in the Wimbledon semifinals and will be trying to put that behind her witha medal run in Paris. However, clay isn’t quite as friendly to her game and she faced a very difficult match here against Andreescu. It should be a very close match decided by a few points here and there.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Yesh:
Andreescu looked almost like her old self in the first round. Unfortunately for her, Vekic is an entirely different type of player than Clara Tauson is. She’s better, and her game works better on clay, too.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Angelique Kerber (Germany) vs Jaqueline Cristian (Romania)
Jordan:
Although Naomi Osaka was far below her best, Kerber’s performance to extend her career was commendable. The German will need to soak up more powerful forehands against Cristian. This promises to be a tight battle, but my instinct is this will be Kerber’s last match. If Cristian stays more controlled than Osaka, she can exploit Kerber over three sets, and I think the Romanian will do that.
Prediction: Cristian in 3
Manuel:
Playing the last tournament of her career, Kerber had an amazing performance against Naomi Osaka in the first round and if she can retain that level her run is bound to continue for a while yet here.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Yesh:
Angelique Kerber played her best match in years last round. If she stays that inspired, she could go far here. She might even bring home a medal in her final career tournament.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Danielle Collins (United States) vs Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)
Jordan:
Wozniacki showed what a fighter she still is by recovering from 2-6 4-5 0-30 down against Mayar Sherif to win. It is not inconceivable that her gritty style will frustrate Collins. However, the American is playing the best tennis of her career, and Wozniacki is nowhere near her prime anymore. Coping with Collins’ ferocious power will be hard for the Dane.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Manuel:
If she was in her prime, Wozniacki would be the favorite here, but those days are long gone, while Collins is having a really good season and should be able to advance here.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Yesh:
Both women are extremely motivated to impress at their last Olympic Games. Collins has been having the best year of her career, while Wozniacki is playing better than she has since her before her first retirement. I think Wozniacki can dig down to deeper levels of aggression and pull this out.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
