There should be plenty of entertaining action on day nine at the French Open, which will see the completion of the fourth round. As ever, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for every match on the slate, with Jim Smith and Damian Kust giving their picks for the four women’s matches of the day. But who will reach the quarterfinals?
French Open Day Nine Predictions
Ons Jabeur vs Danielle Collins
Jim: Danielle Collins and Ons Jabeur both surprised by winning their third-round matches, the American particularly. But it is Jabeur who has played the better and more consistent tennis this year, with the Tunisian enjoying a career-best season. Her ability to combine power from the baseline with deft touch should give her the edge here.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Damian: The favourites have been dropping like flies in the women’s draw, but Collins’ upset of Garbine Muguruza was still one of the bigger surprises. This is match is rather difficult to predict, but it’s Jabeur who seems to be the sensible pick. Her mix of power and variety is complimented by a consistency that Collins lacks.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
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Fiona Ferro vs Sofia Kenin
Jim: This should be some match. Sofia Kenin, after a period of extended struggle since the season resumed, appears to have found some form at the French Open, with her third-round win over Irina Bara particularly impressive. Fiona Ferro has been playing some excellent tennis in her own right, but if Kenin is at her best, this is a match the American will win.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
Damian: Kenin struggled immensely in her first two rounds before completely dominating Bara, the Romanian qualifier. But she faces a very, very tough opponent here. Ferro is yet to lose after the restart and has the ability to hit through the court with her hyper-aggressive game. If she keeps up the form she has displayed so far, Kenin won’t be able to stop her.
Prediction: Ferro in 2
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Petra Kvitova vs Zhang Shuai
Jim: Petra Kvitova has looked sharp so far in Paris, with the slow, heavy conditions giving her time to open her shoulders and dictate from the baseline. Zhang Shuai has also impressed, but this does not look like a good matchup for the Chinese, who may struggle to knock Kvitova out of a rhythm.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Damian: Zhang far from an expert clay-courter, but she’s done very well to reach the fourth round here. However, the conditions in Paris seem to really suit Kvitova. The Czech is also now the most experienced player left in the draw and her hard-hitting game should see her power through to the final eight.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
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Laura Siegemund vs Paula Badosa
Jim: This is a huge opportunity for one of this pair to make their first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Both have impressed so far at the French Open, but it is Badosa who has looked the more assured and at home on the clay. Expect a close contest, but for the Spaniard, who won in Paris as a junior five years ago, to be the player to reach the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Damian: The German is an expert clay-courter, having enjoyed some particularly impressive runs in Stuttgart in the past. But she had never able to transfer that success to the biggest clay event of all. Now that she has, expect to win against Badosa, who may struggle to get cope with Siegemund’s variety.
Prediction: Siegemund in 3
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