Smash pow-wow: Predicting the French Open winners

The tennismash crystal ball is a murky old thing. But not so murky that it stops us from gazing into it and trying to figure out who is going to win stuff. We assembled some of the greatest minds twiddling their thumbs in the office to try and predict who would walk away with the French Open silverware this weekend.

Predicting the men’s winners:
Viv Christie: The rain, thunder and lightning that have so seriously disrupted this French Open seem somewhat symbolic when you consider this is the first Grand Slam in 69 majors that doesn’t feature Roger Federer, and the shock mid-tournament withdrawal of Rafael Nadal. There are storms to be weathered and perhaps not from the players you’d expect.

Dominic Thiem entered this event with serious clay court momentum that’s only grown with wins over Alexander Zverev and David Goffin. The Austrian can complete his graduation from next big thing to fully-fledged star with a win over Novak Djokovic in the semis – it’s a huge call, but the world No.1 is showing the pressure of claiming that elusive missing major and I’m tipping Thiem to progress in a five-set battle.

How do you pick the winner of the Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka semifinal? They’ve both got clay credentials, both endured early five-set tests and both have a pair of Grand Slam titles already. It’s hard to separate them, but I believe Stan will progress in four. From there, things would become far trickier for the defending champion; change is in the damp and chilly air at Roland Garros and it will continue with a first Slam title for Thiem.

Paul Moore: I have a sneaky suspicion that it’s going to be Stan Wawrinka’s year – I said that earlier in the week and I stand by it. After a bit of a bumpy start to the tournament, Stan has been in cruise control and is playing great tennis. Murray and Djokovic, on the other hand, have found things far trickier (well, that’s how it feels at least).

I think Stan will down Andy in four, with Novak taking out Thiem in straight sets. As for Stan v Novak in the final? I think Stan will win the first set, Novak the second and then Wawrinka will romp to the title in four.

Leigh Rogers: In Monday’s #smashpowwow I said I couldn’t see Novak Djokovic being beaten – but I can now. The world No.1 should win this tournament and he knows it, which is the problem. He seems slightly agitated on court and in his press conferences, which suggests the pressure is getting to him. Stan Wawrinka on the other hand, is hitting good form after a wobbly start to his title defence. He’s relaxed too – just take a look at his social media accounts for proof.

Djokovic will make the final with a four-set win over Dominic Thiem – but the demons from last year will come creeping back when he has to face Stan again. Stan will beat Andy Murray in four sets, but only need three to defeat Novak.

Predicting the women’s winners:
Viv Christie: Full disclosure: I’m superstitious about tipping Aussie players and don’t want to place pressure on Sam Stosur to claim a second Slam victory. That said, Sam has played some brilliant tennis in the last two weeks and I expect she’ll maintain her form and composure to beat Garbine Muguruza in a three-set semifinal.

On the other side of the draw, I see Serena Williams ending Kiki Berten’s dream run in the semis in straight sets. And as for the title? This is the first Slam in many that Serena has entered without massive expectations placed on her. In fact, many of us predicted she’d be out of the tournament well before now, if she even competed at all. Doubts like that only feed Serena’s famous ambition and capabilities. It’s exactly the right environment for the world No.1 to at last claim that record-equalling 22nd major.

Paul Moore: This one is wide open. Being honest I have a weird feeling that Kiki Bertens could spring the upset of the decade and walk away with the Roland Garros silverware. Is that too far fetched? Probably. But when Kiki is ‘on’ (which until this tournament only ever happened at the Fed Cup), she’s almost unstoppable.

That said, I feel like that the occasion is going to get to her at some point (probably in the semifinals). So while the gut says Kiki, the head is going for Serena in straight sets. In the other semi I think Muguruza will hit through Sam to set up a titanic final. In that final, I think Muguruza will finally realise her potential and claim her first French Open title in straight sets.

Leigh Rogers: What a run Kiki Bertens is having! She enters tonight’s semifinal with Serena Williams battle weary though, and if she was to have a chance to beat the world No.1 she needs to be at full fitness. Serena is going to be too strong and win in straight sets. Speaking of amazing runs, Sam Stosur has turned back the clock and is playing her best tennis in years. The Aussie is dangerous on clay – as Garbine Muguruza will find out. The Spaniard deservedly starts as the favourite, which is a position she has never been in. This works in Stosur’s favour, who can come out swinging freely against the world No.4. She’ll score a three-set win.

Stosur won the US Open in 2011 with victory over Serena in the final. Can she do it again? Probably not. Stosur has the game to trouble the world No.1, but there is going to be no stopping Serena from equaling Steffi Graf’s Open Era record of 22 Grand Slams.

Viv’s men’s prediction: Dominic Thiem
Viv’s women’s prediction: Serena Williams

Paul’s men’s prediction: Stan Wawrinka
Paul’s women’s prediction: Garbine Muguruza

Leigh’s men’s prediction: Stan Wawrinka
Leigh’s women’s prediction: Serena Williams