The fifth day of the French Open is here, which means the completion of the second round. This half of the draw has some of the biggest names in the sport, as we appear on our way to blockbuster later-round matches. Predicting the five best Day 4 matches today are writer Brett Margolies, along with editors Steen Kirby and Yesh Ginsburg.
French Open Predictions Day 5 Women’s Matches
Garbine Muguruza vs Fiona Ferro
Brett:
Garbine Muguruza looked to be in good form in her first round win over former Roland Garros champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. I thought she would have a hard time there, but she looked close to the level that helped her win the tournament in 2016.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Steen:
The young Ferro is facing a big test in this one. An upset is possible but far from probable given the difference in track records.
Prediction: Mugurzua in 2
Yesh:
Muguruza has been inconsistent this year, but she looked really good in her first-round match. Playing a Frenchwoman on the Parisian clay is always tough, but the Spaniard should be superior enough that it won’t matter.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
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Heather Watson vs Elise Mertens
Brett:
Elise Mertens survived a tough test against Varvara Lepchenko defeating the American in three sets. I don’t think Watson has enough to hurt Mertens; this should be one-sided.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Steen:
Mertens should be the favorite on the dirt. There’s not much more to be said about this one.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Yesh:
Mertens is a much better clay player than Watson, much to the chagrin of British tennis fans. Watson is good at always putting up a fight, so this should be closer than expected.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
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Simona Halep vs Taylor Townsend
Brett:
I think Townsend has a real shot at upsetting Halep. Townsend first made a name for herself in Paris in 2014 reaching the 3rd round. She played great on the green clay, earning the Wild Card to the French Open, but Halep is another level in competition. I think Townsend keeps it close, but Halep gets the win.
Prediction: Halep in 3
Steen:
American fans would love an upset but Halep is a top player and she’s on a surface she’s good at, this could be one way traffic.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Yesh:
Taylor Townsend is a great young American who will challenge for Slams someday. That day isn’t here yet, though, so Halep should be able to win this match easily.
Prediction: Halep in 2
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Maria Sharapova vs Donna Vekic
Brett:
I think Sharapova might feel a whole lot less pressure after coming back to defeat Richel Hogenkamp. There were some worrying signs in her game throughout the match, but I don’t think she should have any problem here.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Steen:
Sharapova was tested in Round 1 and will be tested again, but in terms of overall form she should be favored.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Yesh:
Sharapova played a disturbingly weak stretch in her first-round match, and it almost cost her. If that happens again, she probably won’t be in the tournament much longer.
Prediction: Sharapova in 3
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Serena Williams vs Ashleigh Barty
Brett:
Serena passed her first test at Roland Garros but now will face Barty, who has an entirely different style of play compared to Kristýna Plíšková. I think she’s in for a slow start, but should be able to get past Barty on a surface that isn’t her best.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Steen:
Both of these players were away from pro tennis for a while (Barty to pursue cricket, Serena with pregnancy) and are looking to come back with a bang. Serena is of course the better player, but if her serve is shaky she’s going to have trouble here given her movement is a bit rusty compared to usual. I’ll call the upset, because why not.
Prediction: Barty in 3
Yesh:
It is always very, very silly to pick against Serena. She should be assumed to be unbeatable until she shows herself to be beatable. She showed it in her first match. Her movement was very suspect, which Barty will do a great job of exploiting. I won’t pick against Serena, but picking her here would be foolish as well.
Prediction: Williams in 3
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