The women’s game is always one full of surprises and this year’s French Open is no exception with Kiki Bertens and Yulia Putintseva continuing their surprise runs.
24-year-old Bertens and 21-year-old Putintseva had quite a lot in common coming into Roland Garros. Neither have reached the top-40 in the rankings, neither was seeded at the French Open and neither of them had reached the last eight of a major tournament. Now 11 days into the tournament both women find themselves preparing for their quarter-finals matches at Roland Garros.
Bertens, who has two WTA titles to her name, achieved her quarter-final milestone by defeating Madison Keys 7-6(4), 6-3. The Dutch player is on a nine-match winning streak after claiming the Nuremberg Open title a week prior to Roland Garros. In Paris, she made headlines immediately when she defeated Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in the first round.
“Maybe there is something in the food there. I have no idea,” a smiling Bertens replied when asked if Nuremberg has been a lucky charm for her.
“I felt good there that week. I’m coming here with a lot of confidence. Yeah, I’m still playing here. it’s just amazing for me.”
Bertens is the only player this year to reach the last eight in both the singles and doubles. Paired up with Sweden’s Johanna Larsson, the duo stunned the Williams sisters in the third round of the tournament.
“It was also like really fun to play doubles against them,” the world No.58 said.
“I think we played a really good match, and hopefully we’re gonna have a lot of fun again this afternoon in doubles.”
Becoming the first woman from her country to reach the last eight at a major tournament since Michaëlla Krajicek at the 2007 Wimbledon Championships, Bertens will play Timea Bacsinszky in the quarter-finals.
“She’s a great player. I think last two years she did so well, great on the clay,” she said about her upcoming opponent.
“Yeah, just gonna enjoy today and then prepare for tomorrow again.”
Also reaching her maiden grand slam quarter-final is Russian-born player Putintseva, who defeated two-time French Open quarter-finalist Carla Suarez Navarro 7-5, 7-5. The Kazakh player has never played in the final of a WTA tournament and currently has six ITF titles to her name. Nevertheless, Putinseva isn’t shocked by her French Open performance.
“I have been working a lot, especially before the clay season. So, yeah, I played some couple great matches here, and I hope to continue the same way.” The 21-year-old said.
Earlier this year at the Charleston Open Putintseva produced one of the best wins of her season when she upset Venus Williams in three sets. Becoming the first player from her country to reach a French Open quarter-final, Putintseva will play defending champion Serena Williams. This might be a step too far for a player who has a 1-6 record against top-10 players.
