The second week of the French Open is here and we are finishing the fourth round off with a bang. It is very rare to find a fourth-round match as highly-anticipated as Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova. Will the lopsided head-to-head continue? Will Sharapova finally pick up a huge win against the American? Find out what our writers think about this match, as well as the three other women’s matches on Monday. Predicting for us are writers Brett Margolies and Nurein Ahmed, along with editors Steen Kirby and Yesh Ginsburg.
French Open Predictions Day 9 Women’s Matches
Garbine Muguruza vs Lesia Tsurenko
Nurein:
Muguruza should win this at a canter. I am not in any way writing off Tsurenko’s chances, but this is the best I’ve seen of Mugurza this year. She did win a title in Monterrey prior to the clay season but she hardly looked inspiring. But big tournaments always get the best out of the top players, and Muguruza totally massacred Stosur yesterday with exceptional power tennis. Tsurenko should be very wary.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Steen:
Probably the most lopsided of the Monday matches, Muguruza should continue her run and prevail with ease.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Brett:
Garbine Muguruza made a statement in her 6-0 6-2 win over Stosur. She showed that she’s near the level that helped her win the title here in 2016. Tsurenko hasn’t done well against top players in the past year; I think she’ll keep it close for one set, but Muguruza should advance to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Yesh:
Tsurenko has done a great job to get here, but it’s hard not to see an easy Muguruza victory. The 2016 champion is just too good right now.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
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Simona Halep vs Elise Mertens
Nurein:
These two met just a few weeks back in Madrid. Mertens was on a streak with back to back titles and got decimated by Halep. I foresee a similar outcome.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Steen:
Both players have won their past 2 matches with ease and this looks like a great matchup. I’ll back the more-accomplished Halep to edge it.
Prediction: Halep in 3
Brett:
If this match is anything like their match a few weeks ago in Madrid, Halep should have no trouble. The conditions are obviously different in Madrid, but a 6-0 6-3 win is pretty convincing. I don’t think it’ll be as bad, but the same result in the end.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Yesh:
Since a weird and poor first set against Alison Riske, Halep has been unstoppable. Mertens doesn’t have the game to beat her when the Romanian is playing this well.
Prediction: Halep in 2
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Angelique Kerber vs Caroline Garcia
Nurein:
While all talk is on the likes of Muguruza, Halep, Williams, and Sharapova, one woman has been wandering under the radar and is now slowly grabbing people’s attention. That is the lone Frenchwoman standing in singles competition–Caroline Garcia. I always say calling WTA matches is never easy. One fine example is how Kerber edged a tight encounter against a red-hot Kiki Bertens, who was in fine form on the clay yesterday. There was little reason to suggest Kerber was going to win that one. I am picking Garcia to win this. The French faithful will absolutely tear the atmosphere to get Garcia over the line.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Steen:
Home cooking should help Garcia as I’ll back her in the “upset” (though not according to current rankings), powered on by the French crowd.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
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Brett:
The hometown favorite has done well so far handling the pressure of playing at her home Slam. Kerber, on the other hand, has done well reaching the Round of 16 without losing a set. When Kerber has some momentum, she’s tough to beat. I think it’ll be close, but Kerber will get through.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Yesh:
Don’t let the big names of Serena and Sharapova distract you. This will probably be the best match of the day. These two are playing great tennis right now and each will be itching for a shot at (presumably) Halep in the quarterfinals. Kerber hasn’t played this well since she was winning everything a few years ago, and Garcia just decimated Irina-Camelia Begu. This could go either way, so I’ll give the tiniest of nods to the one with more Grand Slam success.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
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Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova
Nurein:
This is match is more mental than physical, and regardless of how little tennis Serena Williams has played, Sharapova will always be the underdog in this matchup due to the inferior head-to-head record. Serena probably has won this even before stepping on to court. Sharapova just cannot solve the Serena puzzle. There is only one outcome in this one.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Steen:
Serena has steadily improved and is playing herself into form. There is no doubt the in-form Sharapova represents her toughest challenge yet, but I’m not convinced Sharapova can overcome the h2h disadvantage.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Brett:
It’s no secret that Serena raises her level when facing Sharapova. She leads the H2H 19-2 and has won 18 straight against the Russian. This is probably Sharapova’s best chance, but I don’t think it’ll matter. Serena seems to be playing better and better each match.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Yesh:
That head-to-head is incredibly lopsided, but Sharapova has to know that this will be her best chance, ever, to beat Serena and possibly even to win another Major. Will she pass it up? She has had mental lapses in this tournament, but Serena has had some physical issues. I think Sharapova will manage to pull it off, but only because Serena still isn’t at full match fitness yet. If we see a rematch in Wimbledon, Serena will win that one easily.
Prediction: Sharapova in 3
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