Quarter-final action commenced overnight as the top four seeds in the men’s and women’s draw all found a way to keep their Paris dream alive. Meanwhile, the men’s game has a new world No.1, as Jannik Sinner made history in the process.
Women’s Singles Results:
Coco Gauff [3] d. Ons Jabeur [8] 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Iga Swiatek [1] d. Markéta Vondroušová 6-0, 6-2
By far the closest game on paper out of both women’s quarter-finals, two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur has flown under the radar until the 29-year-old snatched the opening set against Coco Gauff with depth, variety, and quality of shot all contributing factors.
The turning point came on Jabeur’s serve at 1-2 down in the second set, letting slip a comfortable 30-0 lead - inevitably providing Coco the confidence required to make a run and win 10 of the next 14 games in a come-from-behind victory.
Having grown up on the clay and with the experience of playing in a Roland Garros final in her pocket, could she master a stunning upset against Iga Swiatek?
The Pole is on a tear since saving a match point against Naomi Osaka, dishing up yet another bagel against another former finalist in Markéta Vondroušová - conceding only two games without dropping serve.
At 6-0 1-0, Swiatek reached ridiculous levels beyond comprehension to cement a combined 20-game streak since her third round encounter. A clear favourite for the title is an understatement.
Men’s Singles Results:
Jannik Sinner [2] d. Grigor Dimitrov [10] 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(3)
Carlos Alcaraz [3] d. Stefanos Tsitsipas [9] 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-4
For the first time in his 15-year career, Grigor Dimitrov qualified for the French Open quarters. Perhaps there is a reason why it’s taken so long with the clay not the Bulgarian’s most comfortable surface as Jannik Sinner ultimately exposed.
There were grave fears of déjà vu from Sinner’s 6-1 6-3 win in the Miami final this year against Dimitrov as the Italian cruised through the opening two sets, winning 88 percent of first serve points despite some visible issues with back soreness.
Broken while serving for the match in the third, Sinner recovered in the tiebreak to escape unscathed and with it - learn that he will become the new world No.1 on Monday as Novak Djokovic withdrew due to a knee injury.
The 22-year-old becomes the first Italian male to achieve the feat.
After the match when notified about the news, an emotional Sinner admitted that it's a special moment in his career.
“It means a lot to me for sure…I am very happy with this achievement,” he said. “It’s a lot of work we put in daily. Obviously I’m happy to have this number.”
It sets up a mouthwatering semi-final clash with Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, extending his head-to-head 6-0 against Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets during the night session.
Aussie Results:
No.1 mixed doubles seeds Matt Ebden and Ellen Perez were eliminated in straight sets by Jan Zielinski and Hsieh Su-Wei 6-3 6-4, but it won’t derail their ambitions to fight for gold at the Paris Olympics.
Day 11 Preview:
The second half of the singles quarter-finals could entail a couple of upsets in what are four intriguing ties.
Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka are the two clear favourites to meet in the last four - but underestimate two fearless hard-hitters at your peril.
Italian Jasmine Paolini has had a breakout 2024 winning the Dubai title in February - and is the type of powerful ball striker who can trouble Rybakina. The pair met earlier in April as the world No.3 scrapped past in three sets on the Stuttgart clay.
We know how well Sabalenka has improved mentally over the past 18 months to avoid losing games she shouldn’t - but can 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva officially announce herself as the present and not the future?
Not only is Sinner the beneficiary of Djokovic’s withdrawal, but two-time runner-up Casper Ruud will also feel the weight lifted off his shoulders as he progresses to the semi-finals via walkover.
Awaiting him is either Australia’s Alex de Minaur or world No.4 Alexander Zverev in what presents a golden opportunity with the 24-time Grand Slam champion now officially out.
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