Three quarter-final picks from Paris today, and there's at least one result here that could surprise people. We've got a heavyweight clash at the top, a derby with a complicated history, and a match where the rankings might be misleading. Let's get into it.
WTA French Open Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Naomi Osaka
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 2-1 Osaka
Sabalenka leads the head-to-head and is clearly the better player right now, but Osaka's lone win over her came at the 2021 Australian Open, a result that still gets brought up whenever these two meet, so it's not like she's never found a way through. That said, Osaka has been inconsistent since her return and clay isn't exactly her strongest surface, and Sabalenka on the other hand has been one of the most dominant players on tour all season.
This feels like it goes three sets because Osaka can raise her level in big moments, but Sabalenka's ability to keep the pressure on from the baseline without panicking in longer rallies should be the difference.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Elina Svitolina vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Svitolina 1-1 Kostyuk
This one is genuinely hard to call and the off-court tensions between them add a layer of intensity that's hard to ignore. The head-to-head is level and both players are capable of running hot for a week on clay. Svitolina has the experience edge and tends to be the better player when the points get long and tactical, and at this stage of a tournament that matters.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Mirra Andreeva vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: Andreeva 1-0 Cirstea
Andreeva holds the only previous meeting between them, but Cirstea is a crafty clay-court player and at 34 she's been through enough big moments to not be fazed by the occasion. To make things worse for Andreeva, she's had stretches this season where her level has dipped and Cirstea is exactly the kind of experienced, slice-heavy opponent who can exploit that. I think the veteran finds a way through here, all things considered.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Loic Baratoux/ZUMA Press Wire