The second week begins at the French Open with four intriguing fourth-round matches on day eight. A number of star names will be in action and a place in the quarterfinals is up for grabs. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, as well as all the action from the men’s fourth round, but who will reach the last eight?
French Open Day 8 Predictions
Iga Swiatek vs Anastasia Potapova
Jim: Iga Swiatek only survived by the skin of her teeth in the second round, but she did find herself up against a former-Grand Slam champion in Naomi Osaka. She passed the test of Marie Bouzkova more comfortably in the third round and Anastasia Potapova probably has more in common with the Czech than the Japanese. Swiatek to advance in straight sets.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Shane: After outlasting Osaka in a second-round thriller, it is hard not to see Swiatek making another second weekend run in Paris. Potapova is a very good clay-court player, but I struggle to see her keeping up with Swiatek’s power and consistency.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jordan: Potapova could cause Swiatek some trouble with her powerful shots if they find their range. However, she is not as devastating on serve or from the back of the court as Naomi Osaka. That is the level required to challenge Swiatek in Paris, which is beyond Potapova.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
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Olga Danilovic vs Marketa Vondrousova
Jim: This could be a close contest, if Olga Danilovic plays her best tennis. There is no real reason to think that she won’t after her efforts last week, though nerves could be an issue if the enormity of the occasion gets to her. She is a lot less experienced than Marketa Vondrousova, the defending champion at Wimbledon next month and a former-finalist in Paris. That might end up proving to be the difference.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Shane: Danilovic has been the story of the women’s draw thus far. The 23-year-old Serb took down Danielle Collins in a second-round thriller and backed it up 16 hours later with a three-set win over Donna Vekic. Fifth seed Marketa Vondrousova has not had a great clay season but did reach the French Open final in 2019 and has slam confidence from her Wimbledon title last season. Her experience should be the difference.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Jordan: Danilovic’s wins against Danielle Collins and Donna Vekic were two of the most epic matches of the tournament so far. Trying to find that level once more against the former runner-up at Roland-Garros will be tough. Yet, her powerful game, and forehand in particular, is a style that often disrupts Vondrousova. Danilovic’s terrific run may continue with another upset.
Prediction: Danilovic in 2
Coco Gauff vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Jim: Elisabetta Cocciaretto is another player having a week to remember. But as well as the Italian has been playing, she has not yet come up against an opponent of Coco Gauff’s quality. At her best, Cocciaretto is good enough to keep this competitive, but anything else might see this turn out to be quite one-sided.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Shane: Gauff has been unbothered in her three wins this week. The third seed is only 20 but has a ton of slam experience and doesn’t let the big moments fluster her. Cocciaretto has already taken out two seeds this week and is playing incredibly confidently. That said, the 20-year-old American is a buzzsaw on the clay and should find a path to victory.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Jordan: Cocciaretto does not have much to lose in this match after a great run so far. The Italian has been really aggressive and rushed her previous opponents. But doing that against someone as athletic as Gauff is a much harder task. The 20-year-old should be able to progress in straight sets again.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
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Clara Tauson vs Ons Jabeur
Jim: Ons Jabeur has gone slightly under the radar so far, but she’s been playing some solid tennis and has dropped just one set so far at the French Open. Clara Tauson, meanwhile, has looked very sharp and appears to be fulfilling her vaunted potential. If the Dane can maintain the level she has shown in dispatching Tatjana Maria, Jelena Ostapenko, and Sofia Kenin, she may well have enough to claim another famous win.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
Shane: Jabeur played a phenomenal match to get by Leylah Fernandez in the third round. Her route to the second week in Paris has not been easy, but her confidence grows with every match. 21-year-old Tauson ousted ninth seed Jelena Ostapenko in the second round. She brings a top-20 level on her best day, but I expect Jabeur’s clay-court prowess to lead her to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Jordan: Jabeur’s win in the last round against Leylah Fernandez was one of her best performances of the season so far. This has the potential to be her most difficult match of the tournament if Tauson plays her best again. The Dane beat Ons Jabeur and Sofia Kenin in the last two rounds. Overall, Jabeur’s variety still gives her the edge. The Tunisian’s drop shot is a particularly good weapon to have in this matchup.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports