French Open Quarterfinal Predictions
The women’s quarterfinals at Roland Garros are set, with two fascinating clashes on deck as players battle for a spot in the semifinals. Our writers share their predictions for the French Open.
Mirra Andreeva vs Sorana Cirstea
Tope:
Sorana Cirstea’s dream run in Paris has carried her to the brink of a maiden Grand Slam semifinal but standing in her way is one of the sport’s brightest young stars. Mirra Andreeva looks increasingly comfortable on the Roland-Garros stage to make the last eight in Paris for the third consecutive year. Cirstea has the experience and form to make life difficult and I think her fairytale run continues in this one. Only just.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Jordan:
It is debatable who faces more pressure here. Andreeva has been tipped for a maiden Grand Slam since her breakthrough, but Cirstea will likely never get a better chance to reach a first Grand Slam semifinal. It is tough to call, but I have a feeling Cirstea’s fairytale run will continue. The Romanian has played with no fear so far, and, if she keeps that mindset, can blast most players off the court right now.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Cizu:
The 36-year-old Cirstea has been having quite the clay season and is yet to drop a set here at the French Open. She faces Mirra Andreeva, a player who is seventeen years her junior but already one of the best players in the world. The teen herself has dropped only one set all tournament. It can be argued that, until this point, both players have played players they were expected to beat. This feels like their first real test. They met about two months ago, and it was the young Russian who prevailed in three sets. A similar scoreline looks on the cards.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Nurein:
Could this be Andreeva’s time? She’s navigated the draw with maturity and played some assured tennis. That said, Sorana Cirstea has rolled back the years to reach her second quarterfinal at the French Open, over a decade since her first. Cirstea has the power to keep points short and plays with so much aggression this season, though Andreeva’s consistency and court coverage make her the deserved favorite.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Elina Svitolina vs Marta Kostyuk
Tope:
An all-Ukrainian blockbuster awaits in Paris as two of the hottest players on tour put their winning streaks on the line. With their head-to-head locked at 1-1 and a first clay-court meeting adding another layer of intrigue and in what promises to be a tense, emotional battle, I’ll lean towards the younger Ukrainian to sail through.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
Jordan:
Kostyuk was exceptional from start to finish against the four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek. Yet, I am backing her more experienced compatriot to prevail. Svitolina will likely put an emphasis on making far fewer mistakes than Swiatek did and putting pressure on Kostyuk. That, combined with playing someone she respects so much, is a different pressure for the younger Ukrainian.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Cizu:
The battle of the two high-flying Ukrainians. They both picked up Masters titles coming into this tournament and registered impressive wins along the way. This promises to be a blockbuster affair and is easily the hardest quarterfinal match to call for the day. Svitolina is the better defender of the two, while Kostyuk arguably packs more punch in attack. Both players are high on confidence at the moment and will come into this with real belief. The French crowd might also lean more toward Svitolina, which could prove vital in tight moments. It takes a brave man to call this, but I’ll just about lean toward Kostyuk, who has yet to lose a match in 16 clay-court outings this year.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
Nurein:
We are guaranteed a Ukrainian semifinalist and for Elina Svitolina a win would be a shot at the history books as she attempts to become the first mother in over a decade to win a Grand Slam in singles. But Marta Kostyuk is playing exceptionally well, having extended her winning streak with that sensational straight-sets victory against Iga Swiatek. She’ll draw a lot of confidence from that performance and I wouldn’t doubt her to take down her experienced compatriot.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
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