We finish the third round of Roland Garros on day 7. Saturday’s matches will see 16 women compete for eight places in the fourth round. Who will move on to the competition on Monday? We share our thoughts on every game. Four of the eight games are in this article, and four are in a separate article. Andrew Watson, Damian Kust and Jim Smith predict today’s games.

French Open Ladies Predictions 7

Sloane Stephens vs. Karolina Muchova

André:
Will Stephens become a factor here again? It will be difficult against Muchova as the Czech has a game which, when in progress, is probably one of the best of the game. Stephens’ first class experience could count in her favor but in the end I think there is more chance to see a good performance from the Czech than from the American here.
Prediction: Muchova in 3

Damien:
Stephens was the runner-up here three years ago and the performance against Pliskova had real glimpses of that form. Her level is known to fluctuate like crazy, but if she keeps going I think it’s a bit beyond what Muchova can do on clay, at least for now.
Prediction: Stephens in 3

Jim:
Sloane Stephens’ recent recovery has been impressive, but she must nonetheless be seen as the coming underdog in this game. Karolina Muchova had her best results in faster conditions, but the Czech has the skills to succeed on this surface, thanks to a forehand which is a reliable weapon and the confidence to finish the points in the net. It might go the distance, but expect Muchova to be the player to reach in week two.
Prediction: Muchova in 3

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Magda Linette vs. Ons Jabeur

André:
Linette was lucky with Barty’s retirement and I think she might run into some big trouble here. The Tunisian plays with joy and skill and it’s great to watch. I expect Jabeur to improve here as well.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2

Damien:
Linette’s victory over Barty via retirement allowed her to show a ton of self-confidence and never let go. She’ll have to be this clinical version of herself to beat Jabeur, but with a lot of confidence gained over the past couple of weeks and the influence of a new coach who is clearly working for the best, she might just have a good luck here.
Prediction: Linette in 3

Jim:
With all due respect to Magda Linette, we suspect that the Polish would not have ended up in the third round if Ashleigh Barty had not been paralyzed by a hip injury which had forced her to retire in the previous round. . But if Linette was the first beneficiary of the Australian’s bad luck, expect Ons Jabeur to be second.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2

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Sofia Kenin vs. Jessica Pegula

André:
A second 100% American meeting in two rounds for Kenin. She grew in strength in the last round against Hailey Baptiste and that will make it difficult for Pegula. The Buffalo native used her well-rounded game and street intelligence to get to this point and I think it could be a long, uphill battle for both women. Ultimately, I side with Kenin’s experience and judicial form.
Prediction: Kenin in 3

Damien:
Kenin was in the middle of an appalling season before Roland Garros, while Pegula was playing better than ever. It seems to have sort of equalized now and the two should be in a close fight here. Kenin’s superior experience on the big stage might make her a tiny favorite.
Prediction: Kenin in 3

Jim:
Sofia Kenin has regained some form so far in Paris, striving to beat Jelena Ostapenko before beating compatriot Hailey Baptiste in straight sets. It will be the acid test of her recent rebirth, with Jessica Pegula in the midst of the best season of her life. But it’s a good game for Kenin, who won’t be sent off the pitch by Pegula. The 2020 Australian Open champion should have just about enough to return to the fourth round in Paris.
Prediction: Kenin in 3

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Anett Kontaveit vs. Iga Swiatek

André:
It’s just baffling now for any opponent of the Pole. It’s less a question of “Can I win?” Instead of asking if they can get four games in a set. There is no way to come back against Swiatek at the moment and I think she will continue her streak of consecutive sets taking this in a straight line.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2

Damien:
Saving a match point against Viktorija Golubic really woke Kontaveit up, but does she have a chance against the machine that is Swiatek right now? Her powerful game gives her a better shot than the Pole’s previous opponents, but it’s always on the unlikely side.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2

Jim:
At her best, Anett Kontaveit can be almost unplayable, and the Estonian certainly impressed as she fought off Kristina Mladenovic in the second round. But Iga Swiatek seems so at home on the Roland Garros courts, with the Pole possessing a formidable array of skills. This will be her toughest test of the tournament so far, but it’s a test the defending champion seems well-equipped to pass.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2

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