French Open: 2nd Round Predictions for Day 4

The top three on Day 4:

Agnieszka Radwanska

1. Agnieszka Radwanska v Venus Williams

The highlight of the second round matches will see the world number three, Radwanska take on the rapidly rising, Venus Williams.  Both came through their openers in different circumstances; Radwanska strolled to victory losing just one game to Bojana Jovanovski, meanwhile Venus was forced to fight from a set down to beat Paula Ormachea; however despite the three-setter, Venus finished the match in fine form in what was a high quality first rounder.  This should be a very interesting match because although Radwanska won their last encounter in Miami earlier this year, Venus's power game has been destructive in their five previous matches.  It really will all depend on which Venus comes out to play...

Prediction - Radwanska to beat V. Williams in 3 sets

2. Shahar Peer v Ana Ivanovic

Ivanovic had a perfect match to start her 2012 Roland Garros campaign as she overcame Lara Arrubarena-Vecino, 6-1 6-1.  Her second round match will be a step up against Shahar Peer.  Peer won her opening match against Stephanie Dubois in straight sets and after a torrid start to 2012, has started to slowly pick up some wins on the tour.  The head-to-head is fascinating because Peer has won all three of their previous matches although their last two encounters were in 2010 when Ivanovic was slumping dramatically.  Peer has a very consistent grinding nature to her game, but Ivanovic has the weapons so if she can keep her cool, this should be a straightforward victory and a first ever win over Peer...

Prediction - Ivanovic to beat Peer in 2 sets

3. Victoria Azarenka v Dinah Pfizenmaier

Azarenka suffered an almighty scare in her first round match against the world number 105, Alberta Brianti. Although her game looked a million miles from the level that has taken her to four titles this year including the Australian Open, she has developed an edge and a terrific mental toughness that makes her very hard to beat.  Her opponent in the second round is somewhat of an unknown quanitity in the world number 198, Pfizenmaier who won her first main drawGrand Slam match with an impressive three set win of Caroline Garcia.  Azarenka should be wary of Pfizenmaier after her first round exploits, but after a tough match, the top players often follow it up without few dramas...

Prediction -Azarenka to beat Pfizenmaier in 2 sets

Marion Bartoli

Best of the rest:  

French hopes will be resting on Marion Bartoli tomorrow as she takes on Petra Martic in an intriguing second round match.  I think she will be severely tested, but will find a way into the third round.  I predict both Sam Stosur (who plays Irina Falconi) and Angelique Kerber (who plays Olga Govortsova) will progress in straight sets.

Potential banana skins for the seeds:

I think that Dominika Cibulkova, Zheng Jie and Nadia Petrova are all in danger tomorrow.  Cibulkova plays the American Vania King, who has won all three of their previous matches and has looked more assured on the clay in recent years having made the 3rd round at Roland Garros last year.  Zheng Jie takes on Aleksandra Wozniak and finally Nadia Petrova plays Chanelle Scheepers, who i a dangerous opponent.  Petrova has been incredibly inconsistent in her results this year so any dips in concentration during this one will see her exit the competition.

You can follow the path of my original predictions for the WTA and ATP draws in Roland Garros.


And finally, I have been watching Game, Set, Mats on Eurosport every night and there was a great feature on Sunday night involving Sam Stosur.  I love how down-to-earth she is ;-)