We are at the home stretch of Roland Garros and anything is possible.
Rafa Nadal looks like prime Rafa Nadal, he’s cruising through the draw and is on course for a semi showdown with Novak Djokovic, who survived a two-set deficit to Lorenzo Musetti. I am reasonably certain the tennis gods will not allow Djokovic to lose to Berrettini or Nadal to fall to Schwartzman.
The other half of the men’s draw is equally intriguing. The Tsitsipas vs Medevedev grudge match never fails to deliver value and suppressed animosity. Tsitsipas is ready for his first major but so too is Medvedev who may have faked us all out with his red clay phobia. He looks as lethal on clay as hard court if you ask me.
And do not forget about Zverev, who has played all tournament with a vicious, ruthless eye of the tiger. Remember two years ago the mighty German screamed “It’s my F****** time now!!” Well, it may just be, if he can get by Fokina Davidovich. Zverev is 2-0 career vs Fokina including a rout at 2020 US Open 62 62 61 but Fokina closed the gap later in 2020 in Cologne 75 76.
On the ladies side, Coco Gauff looks ready to make history and shock the world as she has marched through her section but now it gets tricky with the dangerous Krejcikova in the QF, who annihilated Stephens 62 60.
The defending champion Iga Swiatek has been the most impressive in both singles and doubles, where she and Sands saved seven match points in taking out the top seeds Hsieh and Mertens. Swiatek has to be careful to not run out of gas against Sakkari in the QF.
The bottom half will produce a first time Grand Slam finalist. Zidansek has emerged as a WTA force and beat Badosa 86 in the third today. Now the Slovenian awaits the winner of Pavlyuchenkova vs. Serena slayer Rybakina in the other QF.
Krejcikova is also in the doubles semi with Siniakova, as are Swiatek and Sands. Bublik and the comebacking Golubev have reached the semi on men’s side, and Herbert and Mahut are about to also.
In juniors Leo Borg, the son of you know who, has won two rounds. American phenom Clervie Ngounoue, age 15, lost today 75 76 to Russian 4 seed Schnaider, a lefty. Orange Bowl winner Arthur Fils is into the third round. USA’s no. 2 seen Bruno Kuzuhara has advanced to the third round as has Victor Lilov.
Djokovic · Iga Swiatek · Nadal · Roland Garros
Scoop Malinowski · June 9, 2021 at 8:00 am
Krejcikova saved five set points and won the first set 76 after being down 0-3 and 3-5 to Coco. Krejcikova is having an incredible tournament, crushing quality players in singles and also she’s in the doubles semis. Great experience for Coco, she’s progressing. Gotta remember she technically is still a junior. Steady progress. Swiatek vs Sakkari will be a slugfest.
Scoop Malinowski · June 9, 2021 at 2:12 pm
As expected Rafa runs over Schwartzman and Djokovic should do the same to Berrettini. http://mrbiofile.com/2021/06/09/biofile-rafael-nadal-interview/