French Open Day 8 - Women
Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS vs (8)Angelique Kerber GER
Both players have had solid 2013s-Kerber is #8 and Kuznetsova is #16 in the Race to Istanbul. These two
women have met two times this year, with Kerber edging Kuznetsova both times. However, if their last meeting in Madrid clay indicates anything of what this match is going to be, this match is going to be one to watch.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 3 gritty sets
(1)Serena Williams USA vs (15)Roberta Vinci ITA
Williams is the overwhelming favorite to win the whole tournament at the French Open. She is riding a 27 match winning streak into this match. Williams states that she loves the clay, however the clay has not been so kind to her. She has just one French Open title out of her 15 Grand Slam titles, and she was upset in a first round shocker to Virginie Razzano last year (her first ever first round loss in a Grand Slam). On the other hand, Vinci is a wily veteran who's best and favorite surface is the clay. Of her 8 career WTA titles, 5 of them have come on clay, including this year in Katowice. They have never met on clay before, but Williams will start as the favorite.
Prediction: Williams in 2 sets
(20)Carla Suarez Navarro ESP vs (5)Sara Errani ITA
Last year's Roland Garros finalist will face off against a former French Open quarter-finalist. Errani leads Suarez Navarro 5-3 in their head-to-heads, however, as seen in their meetings in 2013, Suarez Navarro has the the game to trouble Errani's tireless defenses. Suarez Navarro upset Errani at the Australian Open in straight sets, but lost the next 2 meetings in Paris (hard indoors) and Acapulco (red clay). An upset is possible here, but keep in mind that the highest ranked opponent Suarez Navarro has faced here is ranked 57. She has been pushed to 3 sets in her first 2 matches as well as a tough straight setter against Monica Puig in the 3rd round. The world no.5 will be a whole different level.
Prediction: Errani in 3 sets
(4)Agnieszka Radwanska POL vs (14)Ana Ivanovic SRB
Ivanovic has been through some tough years since winning the French Open and being no.1 in 2008. She has been as low as 65, but seems to have found her form breaking back into the top 15. Neither Radwanska or Ivanovic has really been tested on their way to the 4th round. Combined they have dropped just 1 set and the highest ranked opponent they have faced is 80 for Radwanska and 94 for Ivanovic. Radwanska leads Ivanovic 6-3 in their head-to-heads and has won their last six. However, Radwanska has never been past the fourth round of Roland Garros. Is it Ivanovic's time to pull the upset?
Prediction: Ivanovic in 2 tight sets
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