Quarterfinal duel Djokovic and Nadal
Tsitsipas and Medvedev eliminated from the competition
Although week 2 of the French Open has just started, numerous top seeds have already been eliminated from the competition. However, this is expected as there are only 6 days of competition left.
Here is the rundown of Round 4 action:
Men's Competition
Djokovic will face Nadal in the Quarterfinals
World number 1, Novak Djokovic, continues his undisturbed run having knocked out all his competitors thus far in straight sets. His most recent victory in the ‘Round of 16’ against seed No. 15 Diego Schwartzman, saw him winning 69% of his first serve points and 56% of points on his second serve. Diego was able to win 73% of points on his first serve, but only 40% on his second. This is where Djokovic had the clear advantage. The match ended, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.
Rafael Nadal was pushed to his limits by the Canadian, Felix Auger Aliassime. World No. 5, Nadal, fought through the 5 set, 4-hour long match, to secure his spot in the Quarterfinals. Nadal lost the first game 3-6, but quickly levelled the scoreboard by taking the second set 6-3. Nadal pushed into the lead taking the third set, 6-2, but a determined Felix clung on to the fourth set 3-6. Nadal had to now up his game, as Felix could ride the momentum to victory. In an incredible display of power and precision, Nadal found inspiration, hitting winner after winner. Up until the last point, Felix fought, but it was no match for the King of Clay. The match ended, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
Nadal and Djokovic will go head to head in today’s quarter-final.
Carlos advances to the Quarter-finals
Carlos Alcaraz brings so much variety that his next move is often unpredictable. This unpredictability played out in his 4th Round match against Khachanov who simply could not withstand the shear power and reach of Alcaraz. Alcaraz dominated the first set, quickly gripping the first 5 games. Before the set concluded, Khachanov was able to get on the scoreboard, but Alcaraz remained focused and closed the set, 6-1. The second set rung the same tune as Alcaraz seized it, 6-4. Khachanov in the third, managed to gain some composure as he returned some of the 150kmh forehand punchers from Alcaraz. While Khachanov played well there was just not much he could do to get past the defence of Alcaraz who returned almost every potential Khachanov winner. The match ended 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
Seed No. 3 Alexander Zverev also advanced to the quarter-finals. He eliminated Bernabe Zapata Miralles from the competition in straight sets, 7-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Zverev will face Alcaraz today for a spot in the semi-finals. This match will be exciting as this is the first time these two will meet after Alcaraz beat Zverev in the final of the Madrid Open a couple weeks ago.
✊🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/z5xXSn06R8
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2022
Seed No. 2 Daniil Medvedev and seed No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas both made surprising exits on Monday. Seed No. 20 Marin Čilić defeated Medvedev in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Čilić won 90% of points on his first serve and 58% of points on his second serve while Medvedev only won 60% of points on both his first and second serves. This gave Čilić the advantage and ultimately the match.
Holger Rune eliminated Stefanos Tsitsipas from the competition, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The 19-year old continues to impress as he becomes the first Danish man to secure a spot in a Grand Slam quarter-final in the Open era.
Seed No. 7 Andrey Rublev received a Walkover to the quarter-finals, as a result of his competitor, Jannik Sinner, suffering an injury which ended the match prematurely.
Casper Ruud advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
🔙 A shock win for @holgerrune2003 , vintage @RafaelNadal and @DjokerNole and more -- catch up on all of the Day 9 action:#RolandGarros
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2022
Women's Competition
Sloane Stephens defeated seed No 23 Jil Teichmann in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0.
Seed No. 18 Coco Gauff ended Elise Mertens’ journey for the title. The match ended 6-4, 6-0. US Open runner-up, Leylah Fernandez, defeated Amanda Anisimova, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to move on to the quarter-finals.
Matina Trevisan advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Aliaksandra Sasnovich, 7-6, 7-5.
Seed No. 1 Iga Światek was challenged by Qinwen Zheng, but eventually succeeded and won the match 6-7, 6-0, 6-2.
Seed No. 11 Jessica Pegula advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating Irina-Camelia Begu, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Veronika Kudermetova eliminated Madison Keys after a 3 set match which ended, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Seed No. 20 Daria Kasatkina won her match against Camila Giorgi, 6-2, 6-2.