Expect plenty of exciting tennis on day four at the French Open with a number of star names set to take to the famous red clay. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Elena Rybakina vs Yulia Starodubtseva, Iga Swiatek vs Sara Bejlek, and Mirra Andreeva vs Marina Bassols Rivera. But who will advance and who will fall to defeat?
French Open Day 4 Predictions
Elina Svitlona vs Kaitlin Quevedo
Amanda: Kaitlin Quevedo came through three tough three-setters in qualifying and won her first main-draw match at a Grand Slam, but this is likely where the run will end. Elina Svitolina is coming off a gritty first-round win against Anna Bondar, a player she’s struggled against in the past, and has had an excellent clay season. Svitolina’s level is extremely high right now and Quevedo’s chances to stay in the match will be few and far between.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Nurein: Svitolina overcame Anna Bondar in three sets and the relief at the end of the match was evident of how important victory was for the Ukrainian who has struggled in that matchup before. But now Svitolina should be a heavy favorite against the inexperienced Quevedo. Expect smooth sailing for the Rome champion.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Yesh: Svitolina almost threw away her opening match, but she eventually solidified herself enough to advance. She can’t afford many more performances like that, but she’s still the better player here.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Hailey Baptiste vs Wang Xiyu
Amanda: Hailey Baptiste has done the hard part. She saved match points to take down former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova, and now she can breathe. Her second-round opponent, Xiyu Wang, has barely played tennis this year and had to come through qualifying to get to this point. Baptiste has been playing her best tennis and showed resilience in her match against Krejcikova, which should translate to a straightforward win here.
Prediction: Baptiste in 2
Nurein: Baptiste beat former champion Krejcikova adding to her tally of impressive wins against Grand Slam champions that also includes world #1 Sabalenka. Her athleticism and willingness to step inside the court have translated well onto clay this season and I think she’ll do enough to win this second round match.
Prediction: Baptiste in 2
Yesh:Hailey Baptiste has been a breakout star this year, and she’s the rare American who truly thrives on clay. I don’t see her struggling at all.
Prediction: Baptiste in 2
Karolina Muchova vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Amanda: After going down 5-2 in her opening match, Karolina Muchova won five games in a row to take the first set and eventually won in straight sets. The 2023 French Open finalist got the match back on track after an up-and-down clay season, and though Kamilla Rakhimova can challenge Muchova, her going all the way and getting the win would be a surprise. Rakhimova has never been past the third round at Roland Garros, and Muchova can take away any advantages Rakhimova may gain throughout the course of the match.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Nurein: Muchova is one of the most complete players on clay when healthy and the Czech has maintained a decent spell of good health this season to return to the world’s top 10. Rakhimova competes well from the baseline, but is unlikely to settle against Muchova’s flair and creative shots.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Yesh: Is Muchova healthy? That’s always the question. If she is, she should win easily and book her spot in the French Open third round.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Belinda Bencic vs Caty McNally
Amanda: In this second-round match, Belinda Bencic has the ranking advantage, but it is Caty McNally who has the better recent results. McNally has been consistent in the three red clay tournaments she’s played this year, losing to Marta Kostyuk twice and Iga Swiatek once—and in the match against Swiatek, McNally took a set. She has been primed for an upset in the last few weeks, and against Bencic she has a real chance.
Prediction: McNally in 3
Nurein: Bencic opened the tournament with a straight sets win against Sinja Kraus. The Swiss should have a slightly trickier assignment against McNally. The American secured her first-ever main draw win at the French Open, battling past Tomljanovic in three sets. McNally has an offensive game and will look to end points quicker. But Bencic’s weight of shot is a class above hers.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Yesh: Bencic might be approaching the end of her career, but she’s not at it yet. The Swiss can still play with the best of them, and an out-of-rhythm Caty McNally shouldn’t threaten her at the French Open.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
