Day seven at the French Open should feature plenty of entertaining tennis with round of 16 action across the women’s and men’s singles draws. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, but who will secure their spot in the last eight at Roland Garros?
French Open Day 7 Predictions
Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina
Tope: The two players are even at 4-4 in their head-to-head matchups, although Elena Rybakina has claimed victory in both of their clay-court encounters. While It may seem outrageous to predict anything other than a win for the Queen of Clay, Rybakina certainly has the potential to cause an upset, particularly with Iga Swiatek not currently performing at her best, making the outcome less straightforward than suggested by the odds.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Jordan: In a press conference, Swiatek herself could not hide how relieved she was to avoid facing Jelena Ostapenko, who she has a 0-6 head-to-head record against. However, Rybakina may be a bigger threat to her on an outdoor clay-court. The Kazakhstani’s height makes her equipped to deal with Swiatek’s spin, and she is one of the women’s players who can still get regular free points on serve on a slow court. Swiatek had patchy moments against Jaqueline Cristian, and I think Rybakina can achieve a stunning victory.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jim: This should be an entertaining match. Swiatek’s record at the French Open is superb and she has once again looked very sharp in reaching the second week. But Rybakina will offer her a real test. They’ve split their past eight matches with four wins apiece, but the in-form Kazakh won their most recent encounter on clay. At the French Open, however, Swiatek is a different animal. She may not have been at her best this year, but I think she’ll find a way here.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
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Jasmine Paolini vs Elina Svitolina
Tope: Jasmine Paolini’s now faces the sternest test of French Open so far as she squares up against Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian has achieved more victories on clay this season than any other player and the fourth seed will have to raise her game against Svitolina, a fellow counter-puncher who claimed victory in their first encounter at the Australian Open back in January. Anticipate another fierce and closely contested match that could sway in either direction, but I’ll go with the steely Svitolina to grind out a win.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Jordan: Svitolina’s newfound aggression since returning from maternity leave in 2023 gives her a chance against Paolini. The Ukrainian needs to trust herself and avoid playing with a lot of margin, since Paolini enjoys battling in long rallies and thrives with time on her shots. Svitolina won her last meeting with the Italian on hard courts, but winning at Roland Garros is a tougher challenge.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Jim: Svitolina has had a good start to the French Open, but Paolini has also impressed and has been one of the tour’s most consistent performers on the big stage over the last 18 months. There won’t be much in this one, but in the pressure moments Paolini’s recent experience might just see her come up trumps.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Zheng Qinwen vs Liudmila Samsonova
Tope: Zheng Qinwen won their only meeting on clay four years back, but it’s clear she will face a challenge from the in-form Liudmila Samsonova, who is playing at her peak this year. If Zheng serves effectively and strikes the right balance of depth and power with her groundstrokes, she will be difficult to defeat, and she continues to carry the positive energy that reinforces her belief that fortune will smile on her in Paris
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Jordan: Olympic gold medallist Zheng’s chances were unfairly written off by many before the tournament. I expect her to navigate this challenge successfully. Samsonova has been in good form lately and will be as aggressive as always. But Zheng’s defensive skills and ability to use spin should help her here.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Jim: Zheng has proven herself an adept clay-courter and, after her run to the gold medal last year, she is on a winning run in Paris. Winning the title this fortnight still (perhaps unfairly) seems a stretch, but she should have the beating of Samsonova here.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
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Aryna Sabalenka vs Amanda Anisimova
Tope: While Aryna Sabalenka has undoubtedly been riding high this season, Amanda Anisimova is one of the few players who can rival her power. This match presents a significant challenge for the top seed, and an upset is certainly possible.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Jordan: Anisimova’s 5-2 head-to-head against Sabalenka is an incredible statistic, even if four of those meetings were in 2022 or before. The world #1 is undoubtedly still a deserving pre-match favorite. But something tells me a stunning upset could be on the cards. Anisimova’s ceiling on clay is very high, and Sabalenka has been uncomfortable playing against someone who can match her power in their previous matches.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Jim: Anisimova has a very good record against Aryna Sabalenka, as well as arguably a better record in Paris than the world #1. But Sabalenka has been playing some very good tennis so far at Roland Garros and swept her first three opponents aside. If she can maintain that level, she might well overpower the American.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
