French Open 2021: Day 4 Predictions

The French Open 2021 continues to throw up unexpected results and surprise the fans. Will Day 4 in Paris lead to more upsets or will the top seeds hold forte? 

SportCo takes a look at some interesting second-round matches and makes the predictions for the same!

1) Alexander Zverev vs Roman Safiullin 

Zverev survived a 5-set scare against compatriot Oscar Otte in the first round. The 6th seed struggled in the first two sets as his opponent frustrated him with clever drop shots. 

Safiullin came through 3 grueling qualifying rounds to reach the main draw. He defeated the higher-ranked qualifier Carlos Taberner in 4 sets in the opening round. 

Zverev will try to target the weaker second serve of Safiullin and convert more breakpoint opportunities. 

French Open Day 4 Predictions: Alexander Zverev to win in four sets against Roman Safiullin

2) Victoria Azarenka vs Clara Tauson

Azarenka outlasted Svetlana Kuznetsova in three sets in the opening round.  

The 15th seed has not hit the ground running with 34 unforced errors and a below-par second serve winning percentage of 35.

Tauson is a fast-rising Danish teenager. The 18-year-old comfortably beat qualifier Ekaterine Gorgodze 6-4 6-2 in the first round. Clara had some impressive stats (9 aces, 34 winners, and 76% first serve win percentage). 

Tauson is sharp at the net but quite average in breakpoint conversion. Expect Azarenka’s experience and fighting spirit to pull through this captivating clash of generations. 

French Open Day 4 Predictions: Victoria Azarenka to win in three sets against Clara Tauson

3) Fabio Fognini vs Marton Fucsovics

Fognini leads the Head-to-Head Record 2-1 against Fucsovics. 

Despite a sluggish start, Fognini beat homeboy Gregoire Barrere in straight sets in the opening round. The Italian used his deft hands at the net winning 71% of points. 

Fucsovics beat the French veteran Gilles Simon 6-4 6-1 7-6(5) in 3 hours and 13 minutes. The Hungarian excelled at the net clinching 73% of points. 

Fucsovics will aim to tire out Fognini by playing long rallies (above 9 shots) having won a solid 40 points off it in the first round. The Italian holds the edge with his superior shot-making abilities.

French Open Day 4 Predictions: Fabio Fognini to win in five sets against Marton Fucsovics

4) Serena Williams vs Mihaela Buzarnescu

Serena won 7-6(6) 6-2 against Irina Camelia Begu. The American threw away a 5-2 lead and saved 4 set points to clinch the opener. 

The 23-time grand slam champion found her range in the second set. She needs to focus on her first-serve winning percentage (59) and decrease her unforced error count (30). 

Buzarnescu battled past Arantxa Rus 7-5 7-5. The Romanian has an inconsistent second serve and Serena will take advantage of that. Expect the American legend to win easily unless she suffers a mid-match blip. Mihaela will try to finish off more points at the net.

French Open Day 4 Predictions: Serena Williams to win in straight sets against Mihaela Buzarnescu

5) Karen Khachanov vs Kei Nishikori

Nishikori leads the head-to-head record against Khachanov 3-2. 

Khachanov was too good for Jiri Vesely, thrashing him 6-1 6-2 6-3 in the round of 128. The Russian played a perfect match (86% of points won on the first serve and pounded 31 winners). 

Nishikori outhit qualifier Andreas Giannessi in a five-setter spanning 4 hours and 3 minutes. The Japanese claimed an impressive 73% of points on his first serve. 

Nishikori has a slight edge as he plays long matches better and returns well from the middle of the court. He also defeated the 23rd seed Khachanov on clay in Madrid last month. 

French Open Day 4 Predictions: Kei Nishikori to win in five sets against Karen Khachanov

6) Aryna Sabalenka vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich

Sabalenka leads the head-to-head record 1-0 against Sasnovich.

Sabalenka dispatched qualifier Ana Konjuh 6-4 6-3 in the opening round. The Belarusian showcased her power-hitting with 7 aces and 24 winners. 

Sasnovich overcame French teen Dianne Parry 6-3 3-6 6-3. The Belarusian was strong at the net taking 78% of points and pounded 29 winners. 

Sabalenka conceded only 3 games in her last clash against Sasnovich. Expect the clash of Belarusians to end in favor of the in-form Sabalenka.

French Open Day 4 Predictions: Aryna Sabalenka to win in straight sets against Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

7) Daniil Medvedev vs Tommy Paul

Medvedev made short work of Alexander Bublik with an easy 6-3 6-3 7-5 victory. It was the Russian’s first win in the main draw of the French Open. The second seed fired 28 winners and took 79% of his first-serve points.

Paul threw away a two-set lead against wildcard Christopher O’Connell in the opening round. The American eventually prevailed 10-8 in the deciding set. Tommy Paul’s strengths are a 76% first-serve winning percentage and a 75% breakpoint conversion rate. 

Fatigue will affect Paul having spent more than 3.5 hours on the court for singles and 1 hour 41 minutes in a doubles defeat.

French Open Day 4 Predictions: Daniil Medvedev to win in four sets against Tommy Paul

So who are your winning picks for an action-packed Day 4 at the French Open? Do share your comments below. 

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