Following three straight-set quarter-final matches, the final match to conclude brought the drama. Marco Cecchinato, an Italian who had never won a match at any major prior to this event, stunned 12-time major champion Novak Djokovic in thrilling fashion. How do you follow that?
Day 11 will be hard-pressed to top it, but the schedule for Wednesday contains some blockbuster quarter-finals. The eight quarter-finalists on Day 11 combine for a total of 27 major singles titles. Both the men’s and women’s matches today feature some of the most ferocious competitors in the sport.
Garbine Muguruza vs. Maria Sharapova
These quarter-finalists played a grand total of two games in their fourth rounds. Sharapova of course didn’t take to the court at all due to Serena Williams’ withdrawal, and Lesia Tsurenko had to retire in the third game of her match against Muguruza. Both of these women come into this quarter-final clash well-rested, and in great form. If the extra rest will favor anyone, it will be Sharapova, who hasn’t been this far at a major in over two years. Muguruza has perhaps looked better than anyone else in the draw to this stage of the tournament. The 2017 champion is yet to drop a set, and appears to be on a mission to regain her title. Sharapova has vastly improved with each passing round, and most impressively demolished the sixth-seed, Karolina Pliskova, losing just three games. Sharapova holds a 3-0 record against Muguruza, including in the quarter-finals of the 2014 French Open. That was the last time Maria won a major, and I’m not convinced she’s quite at the same level today. However, I am sure that Muguruza is a better player than she was four years ago. The aggressive groundstrokes will be fired off from both sides of the court in this one. Muguruza has the better movement, but Sharapova’s much-talked about improved movement on the clay should not be discounted. Garbine should be slightly favored, though don’t count out one of the toughest fighters the sport has in Maria Sharapova.
Simona Halep vs. Angelique Kerber
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Despite the fact that she’s a two-time major champion, Kerber is a surprise quarter finalist, having lost in the first round of Roland Garros in both of the last two years. Kerber though is no slouch on clay: she has three career clay titles, and also made the quarter-finals here in 2012. This is a rematch from one of the best matches of 2018 so far, an Australian Open semifinal that saw Simona Halep prevail 9-7 in the third. Halep saved two match points in that dramatic and high-quality semifinal. Kerber will be eager to avenge that tough loss, while Halep of course is eager to finally win her first major. Halep has a slight 5-4 edge in their head-to-head, but Kerber has won four of the last six. They’ve only played once on clay, with Kerber winning easily in a 2016 Fed Cup match. Kerber has won all eight sets she’s played in this fortnight, all the more impressive considering she’s faced strong clay court opponents in Kiki Bertens and Caroline Garcia. Halep is also playing well: five of the sets she’s won have been 6-1 or 6-0. This should be a nice contrast to the other women’s quarter-final on Day 11, with many extended rallies and lots of good angles utilized around the entire court. While Kerber has a lot of momentum, it’s hard to bet against Halep on her best surface.
Rafael Nadal vs. Diego Schwartzman
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Schwartzman is coming off one of the best comebacks you’ll see. He quickly lost the first two sets on Monday to Kevin Anderson, and the South African served for the match in both the third and fourth sets. But Anderson blinked at the finish line, and Schwartzman was the dominant player when it mattered. Earlier this year at the Australian Open, Diego played a great match against Rafael Nadal, a four-set encounter that lasted nearly four hours. That being said, staying competitive with Nadal on clay is a whole different ballgame. Schwartzman does not have the type of game that can really threaten Nadal. Rafa has won all five previous meetings with Diego, including just a few weeks ago on the clay of Madrid. This should be smooth sailing for Nadal to reach his eleventh semifinal at Roland Garros.
Marin Cilic vs. Juan Martin Del Potro
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I was surprised to find Del Potro is 10-2 lifetime against Cilic, as I expected their head-to-head to be a bit closer considering their similar styles. I suppose there’s not much Cilic can do better than Del Potro, especially now that Juan Martin is again hitting over his backhand. The Argentine has won their last seven matches, with Marin’s last victory coming all the way back in 2011. Del Potro’s taken all four of their clashes on clay, most recently winning in straight sets at Roland Garros in 2012. Their most memorable matchup was in the 2016 Davis Cup final, where Del Potro came back from two sets down to win a near five-hour affair. Juan Martin has won his last twelve sets in Paris, while Marin appeared shaky at times in surviving a five-setter against Fabio Fognini in his last round. Cilic has now been to the quarter-finals at the French Open two years in a row, but is yet to advance farther. Del Potro is a former semifinalist here, but that was in 2009. I like Juan Martin’s chances to duplicate that effort, and to set up a likely semifinal showdown with Rafael Nadal on Friday.
Order of play
Court Philippe Chatrier
Start at 13:00
Garbine MUGURUZA (Spain) [13] v Maria SHARAPOVA (Russia) [28]
Rafa NADAL (Spain) [1] v Diego SCHWARTZMAN (Argentina) [11]
Court Suzanne Lenglen
Start at 13:00
Simona HALEP (Romania) [1] v Angelique KERBER (Germany) [12]
Marin CILIC (Croatia) [3] v Juan Martin DEL POTRO (Argentina) [6]
