Any players that are not able to complete their quarter-finals today will be at a huge disadvantage going forward, especially on the men’s side due to the best-of-five format. Hopefully the weather allows Wednesday’s schedule to play out: not only to keep the tournament on schedule, but because it includes some truly enticing matchups. On the men’s side, four top 10 players will face off. On the women’s side, we have the defending champion, the Miami champion, and two Americans looking for the first big title of their careers.
Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Sascha Zverev (5)
They’ve split four previous meetings, all of which have been decided in straight set matches that lasted less than 90 minutes. Djokovic took two hard court matches last fall, before Zverev avenged those loss in the championship match of the ATP Finals, his biggest title to date. Sascha also won their only match on clay, in the final of Rome two years ago. This is their first time playing at a Major in the best-of-five format. For Zverev, it’s his second Major quarter-final, with his first coming right here a year ago. A tired Sascha lost meekly to Dominic Thiem in this round last year. For Djokovic, it’s his 43rd Slam quarter-final, and he holds a 32-9 record at this stage of Majors. However, he did lose his last two quarter-finals here in Paris, most notably the huge upset he suffered last year at the hands of Marco Cecchinato. A year on, Novak is his old self again, having won the last three Slams. While he’s yet to face a seeded player this fortnight, he’s also yet to drop a set, or lose more than four games in any set played. Zverev’s path has been much more complex, having dropped five sets thus far. Djokovic is a solid favourite to reach his ninth semifinal at Roland Garros.
Dominic Thiem (4) vs. Karen Khachanov (10)
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This could be good. While Thiem is certainly the more accomplished player overall, and certainly so on clay, Khachanov showed how effective his game can be against a slugger like Thiem on Monday, in his defeat of Juan Martin Del Potro. Karen is also 1-0 versus Thiem. However, while that match was in the same city as this one, it was under very different conditions: best-of-three on a fast indoor hard court. And despite how successful Thiem has been on this surface, he doesn’t often blow players away. In fact, he often allows matches to get a bit more complicated than necessary. But the biggest factor today may be Karen’s belief, and if he believes enough in himself in his first Major quarter-final. While I still give Thiem the edge here, I expect an extended battle, and would not be shocked to see Khackanov pull off the upset.
Simona Halep (1) vs. Amanda Anisimova
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I’m so intrigued to see how this match plays out, and how the 17-year-old American handles this moment: her first Slam quarter-final, playing the defending champion on the world’s biggest clay court. Anisimova burst onto the scene at the last Major, where she easily dispatched of two top 25 seeds on her way to the fourth round. She then went on to win her first WTA title in Bogota, and on clay. And Amanda is yet to drop a set in these championships, while Halep has dropped two. Of course Simona must still be considered the favourite here, but an Anisimova victory is far from unfathomable. She has the fire power to dictate terms, much like another young player did two years against Halep: Jelena Ostapenko. We already have one teenage semifinalist in Marketa Vondrousova, Amanda will try to make it two.
Ash Barty (8) vs. Madison Keys (14)
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The contrast of playing styles and personalities here could make for a great matchup. Much like today’s other women’s quarter-final, the American has the ability to overpower her opponent, though the surface as well as Barty’s variety could make that a tall task. Keys defeated Barty here two years ago in straight sets, but it’s worth noting how much of an improved player Ash is now. And she won her last meeting with Madison earlier this year on a hart court. Barty is now into her second consecutive Major quarter-final, while Keys is the player with much more experience at this stage, with seven appearances in the quarters of a Slam. Madison if 4-2 at this stage, and reached the semis here just a year ago. And she won a title on clay earlier this year in Charleston. Ash has never even reaching a final on this surface. However, I feel this could be Barty’s day. Her game continues to evolve, and can easily throw opponents off balance. And if she can successfully subdue Madison’s power, Keys struggles to shift into second gear.
