Tennis at Paris Olympics 2024 Day 6: Women's doubles predictions ft. Barbora Krejcikova/Katerina Siniakova vs Mirra Andreeva/Diana Shnaider
Teams will aim to make the semifinals of the women's doubles at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Thursday, August 1. Three seeded teams have made the quarterfinals this time, which is the same number as the previous edition of the Games.
The American challenge in women's doubles came to an end on Wednesday, with Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, and Danielle Collins and Desirae Krawczyk, both being eliminated.
Defending champions Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova remain on track to capture a second gold medal. There are plenty of good teams still left in the mix, so here are the predictions for all the quarterfinal matches set for Day 6 of the Paris Olympics:
#1 - Barbora Krejcikova/Katerina Siniakova vs Mirra Andreeva/Diana Shnaider
Krejcikova and Siniakova beat the Chan sisters from Taiwan 6-4, 6-0 to begin their title defense at the Paris Olympics. They next faced Japan's Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara and defeated them 7-5, 6-4.
Andreeva and Shnaider sneaked past Australians Ajla Tomljanovic and Olivia Gadecki in a third set super tie-break. They upset fifth seeds Leylah Fernandez and Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada with a 6-4, 6-0 win over them.
The Czech duo is one of the most decorated doubles teams of all time, and the best of their generation. They have won all big titles in the sport to complete a career Super Slam. The Russian youngsters are a talented team but it won't be easy for them to go toe-to-toe with Krejcikova and Siniakova as their achievements make them the heavy favorites to win.
Predicted winners: Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova
#2 - Cristina Bucsa/Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Lyudmyla Kichenok/Nadiia Kichenok
Bucsa and Sorribes Tormo cruised through their two matches to reach the last eight of the Paris Olympics. They beat Italians Lucia Bronzetti and Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the first round and followed it up with a win over Nadia Podoroska and Maria Lourdes Carle, both in straight sets.
The Kichenok sisters barely broke a sweat throughout their 6-1, 6-4 win over Wang Xinyu and Zhang Saisai of China. They were tested by the American pair of Danielle Collins and Desirae Krawczyk in the second round but prevailed 3-6, 6-4, 10-7 in the end.
Bucsa and Sorribes Tormo won the Madrid Open earlier this year, while the Kichenoks made the final of the Charleston Open. The two teams are evenly matched in their strengths but the Spaniards' prior triumph does indicate that they're ready for the big stage.
Predicted winners: Sara Sorribes Tormo and Cristina Bucsa
#3 - Karolina Muchova/Linda Noskova vs Hsieh Su-wei/Tsao Chia-yi
Muchova and Noskova edged Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Alexandrova in the final set tie-break in the first round. They toppled top seeds Gauff and Pegula with a 2-6, 6-4, 10-5 comeback win to reach the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics.
Hsieh and Tsao beat Romanians Monica Niculescu and Irina-Camelia Begu 7-6 (2), 7-5 in their opener, and then received a walkover from Dayana Yastremska and Marta Kostyuk to make the last eight.
Hsieh is one of the most accomplished doubles players of all time, with seven Major doubles titles to her name. Tsao, on the other hand, has yet to crack the top 100. Muchova has already made her mark in singles, while Noskova is a promising young talent.
Hsieh alone won't be able to carry her team over the finish line. Tsao's inexperience in dealing with the big guns could pull them down, giving the Czechs the upper hand in this duel.
Predicted winners: Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova
#4 - Jasmine Paolini/Sara Errani vs Katie Boulter/Heather Watson
Errani and Paolini began their quest for a gold medal at the Paris Olympics with a 6-2, 6-3 win over New Zealand's Erin Routliffe and Lulu Sun. They edged out home favorites Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry 5-7, 6-3, 10-8 to reach the last eight.
Boulter and Watson defeated the German pairing of Angelique Kerber and Laura Siegemund 6-2, 6-3 in the opening round. They next ousted Brazilians Luisa Stefani and Beatriz Haddad Maia to progress to the quarterfinals.
Errani has a career Grand Slam in doubles, and an Olympic gold would be the cherry on top. She has never been past the quarterfinals at the Games, though her partnership with Paolini has flourished this year.
They won the Italian Open and reached the final of the French Open. Neither Boulter nor Watson are known for their clay prowess, so Errani and Paolini would be a safe bet to win this encounter.
Predicted winners: Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini