French Open women’s draw: Round of 16 preview

As we head to the business end of the tournament at Roland Garros, here is a preview of the 4^th round matches from the Women’s draw.

1) Serena Williams vs Roberta Vinci

Serena Williams, having dropped only six games in her first three matches, would be the firm favourite for this encounter. Williams, having come to Paris following titles in Madrid and Rome, would dearly want to win the French Open after 11 years. 15^th seeded Roberta Vinci lost out to American Jamie Hampton in Brussels last week in three tough sets, and has had to play two three set encounters in the previous rounds. Williams has faced Vinci twice before, beating her in straight sets on both occasions. However, with the form that the Italian ladies have been at Roland Garros for the past couple of years, it may not be a total cakewalk for Williams.

Prediction: Williams wins in straight sets

2) Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Angelique Kerber

Kuznetsova, French Open champion in 2009, has had an easy outing in the third round against Bojana Jovonovski, winning in straight sets, but was stretched to three sets against unseeded Rybarikova in the 2^nd round, whereas Kerber has come off a gruelling three-set encounter against Lepchenko. This would appear to an evenly-matched contest on paper with the Russian’s experience on one hand, and the stroke play of the southpaw on the other. These two have met twice this year, with Kerber prevailing on both occasions. Their previous encounter in Madrid went down to the wire, where Kerber held her nerve to claim the victory. Certainly, this would be one of the matches to watch out for in the 4^th round.

Prediction: Kerber wins in three tough sets

3) Agnieszka Radwanska vs Ana Ivanovic

Radwanska has had it easy so far going into the tournament, winning all her matches in straight sets. However, the Wimbeldon finalist last year knows that the going would only get tough from here on. Former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic will be a tricky opponent to face in the round of 16. Ivanovic has been in good form in the past months on clay, losing to Sharapova a couple of times in the warm up tournaments, although her defeat to Agnieszka’s sister Ursula in the opening round at Rome could be a mere aberration. These two have faced each other twice this year on hard courts with Radwanska coming out trumps on both occasions. However, the difference in surface could well result in a more closely-fought encounter with a different result.

Prediction: Radwanska wins in three sets

4) Carla Suarez Navarro vs Sara Errani

Last year’s finalist Sara Errani will have a tough encounter against Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro. Errani has so far not faced any difficulties in reaching the 4^th round. Her opponent, meanwhile, has had to face some tough three-set encounters in the earlier rounds. These two have faced each other thrice this year, with Errani prevailing twice. However, Errani would want to take revenge for the defeat at the hands of the 20^th seed at the Australian Open earlier this year. With the potency in her game on clay, Errani would be the favourite to prevail against Navarro.

Prediction: Errani wins in straight sets

5) Bethanie Mattek-Sands vs Maria Kirilenko

Mattek-Sands has been the story of the tournament so far, having beaten 2011 champion Li Na in the 2^nd round. In the fourth round, she would be up against Russian Maria Kirilenko. The 12^th seeded Russian has not faced any difficulty in reaching the 4^th round. This would be an encounter between the experience of Kirilenko and the ability of Mattek-Sands to replicate her dominant performance. In their previous meeting earlier this year, Kirilenko prevailed over Sands in straight sets. All in all, this could be a one sided match unless Mattek-Sands is able to reproduce her giant-killing form from the last rounds.

Prediction: Kirilenko wins in straight sets

6) Francesca Schiavone vs Victoria Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka, having survived a scare in the last round against Alize Cornet, will have to tackle former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone to ensure a place in the quarter finals at the French Open. Schiavone easily came through her third round match against Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli, beating her in straight sets. Based on ranking, Azarenka would be the favourite; however, 2010 champion Schiavone’s ability on clay cannot be underestimated. These two have met on clay twice previously with Azarenka prevailing on both occasions. However, these encounters were played almost five years back and both these players have come a long way from then. Overall, this match is set to be a cracker with both opponents having a good enough chance to proceed to the next round.

Prediction: Azarenka wins in three sets

7) Jamie Hampton vs Jelena Jankovic

Jamie Hampton, coming off an upset victory over 7^th seed Petra Kvitova, would be confident of causing another upset against Jelena Jankovic to book a place in the quarter finals. Former semifinalist at Roland Garros, Jankovic will be a difficult opponent for the American. Jankovic knocked out Australian 9^th seed Sam Stosur in the last round. The experience of Jankovic would come in handy against Hampton, who will have to play really well to overcome the Serbian. A match which could certainly go the distance if both players play to their maximum potential.

Prediction: Jankovic wins in three sets

8) Sloane Stephens vs Maria Sharapova

2^nd seed Maria Sharapova will be up against American Sloane Stephens in the pre-quarter finals at the French Open. So far, Sharapova has not dropped a set en route the round of 16. Stephens is coming off a difficult third round encounter against Marina Erakovic. These two last met in Rome, with Sharapova prevailing over the American in straight sets. However, Sloane Stephens’ giant-killing ability cannot be under estimated as she had knocked out Serena Williams in the Australian Open. However, considering the form of Maria Sharapova, this could well be a one-sided encounter.

Prediction: Sharapova wins in straight sets