The
schedule has been confirmed for the last Quarter-Finals at the 2024
French Open which are set to take place on Wednesday 5 Jun and our
preview looks ahead to three crunch clashes at
Roland Garros.
Two from the WTA and one from ATP with
Alexander Zverev,
Aryna Sabalenka and
Elena Rybakina all in action and attempting to seal spots in the last four in Paris. A superb day of action awaits.
Rybakina faces off against Paolini in opening Quarter-Final
The first Quarter-Final of Wednesday at the 2024 French Open sees Elena Rybakina face off against Jasmine Paolini with a player expected to reach this point who could set up a blockbuster semi-final against a player who continues to have a breakout season.
So far Rybakina has been imperious this tournament and alongside the other members of the so-called WTA Big Three has barely been troubled on her route through. Opening up with victory over Greet Minnen 6-2, 6-3. She then followed that up by defeating Arantxa Rus 6-3, 6-4. Two tough ties on paper followed against Elise Mertens and Elina Svitolina. But she passed both with flying colours. Defeating the Belgian 6-4, 6-2. She then saw off Svitolina who reached the Quarter-Finals last year and had been in good form all tournament 6-4, 6-3. Not losing a set yet, she will certainly be favourite to seal the win over Paolini.
The 12th seed won Dubai earlier in the season after long being a player who just sat in the top 50 in the world without hitting the higher echelons. But again she is into a Grand Slam Quarter-Final after also doing so in Australia. It is especially doing it when it counts for Paolini with the Italian not showing much in terms of form when it came to the European clay court season. But at Roland Garros, she has shown that form means only a little.
Elena Rybakina (pictured) will aim to topple Jasmine Paolini on Wednesday.
She saw off Daria Saville in the opening round before Hailey Baptiste was vanquished. She then saw off two stern tests. Bianca Andreescu in a match which saw them bizarrely play in the rain followed by Elina Avanesyan who was a set up before being roundly trounced by the Italian. She will also play in the Quarter-Finals of the Women's Doubles with Sara Errani. They sealed the title in Rome and it seems to be a real year to remember thus far for Paolini. Can she continue that trajectory?
Head to Head wise, Rybakina leads Paolini 2-1. The Kazakh has form of beating Paolini in particular at the 2024 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart in three sets but admitted that it was a tough tie always against the Italian when asked about her in her press conference.
17-year-old Andreeva aims to do what Erika couldn't
The second Quarter-Final both in the WTA Draw takes place on Wednesday afternoon as
Mirra Andreeva takes on Aryna Sabalenka. All eyes will be on the latter to see if she can set up a clash with her rival Elena Rybakina. That is if Rybakina can defeat Paolini. So all eyes will be on these two ties for a blockbuster semi-final similar to Swiatek v Gauff.
But Andreeva will aim to spoil the party. The 17-year-old Russian prodigy will look to do what her older sister Erika Andreeva couldn't do and that is get near Aryna Sabalenka. Her older sister was easily beaten in the first round and ironically a few rounds later, Sabalenka completes the set. Andreeva is into her maiden Grand Slam Quarter-Final after completing her set of Last 16's in every single Grand Slam. Already setting milestones at the start of her career and likely to set more.
The prodigy standing in the way of Aryna Sabalenka - 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva.
She has seen off Emina Bektas with ease and in reality was only actually troubled by Victoria Azarenka in the second round where she narrowly won in three sets. Rabat champion, Peyton Stearns who took down Daria Kasatkina was easily brushed aside as was Varvara Gracheva who is her friend and a practice partner. But how about Sabalenka.
The Belarusian World No.2 has been even more rampant. She has seen off Andreeva Snr, Moyuka Uchijima and her best friend Paula Badosa with only the latter giving her any trouble. Then came Emma Navarro. She defeated her in Indian Wells and said her better surface was clay. But in reality, she didn't stand a chance losing 6-2, 6-3 to the World No.2 to not only end her French Open hopes but her Olympic hopes. Head to Head wise, it is pretty one sided with Sabalenka winning in Madrid both times over the past two years and a similar score is likely expected here.
Zverev v De Minaur set for Night Session
Alexander Zverev v Alex de Minaur will take part in the Night Session. We are missing one match with Novak Djokovic being injured and as a result, he withdrew due to a meniscus tear earlier on Tuesday. So there is one less game and means that the winner heads straight through to face Casper Ruud. So the only men's match is between the German and the Aussie which will be not before 8:15 local time on Wednesday.
Amid all the noise surrounding his trial, Zverev as ever continues to go about his business. Much to the behest of some on social media. With the demise of Novak Djokovic, he will likely be the favourite to reach the final from this half of the draw. He has seen off Rafael Nadal, David Goffin, Tallon Griekspoor and Holger Rune thus far. All apart from the first two being lengthy epics so no doubt De Minaur will be the same. He started off by seeing off Alex Michelsen in a 6-1, 6-0, 6-2 win in the opening round. Jaume Munar followed in a 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 win for the Australian before landmark wins from a set down against Jan-Lennard Struff and Daniil Medvedev. Backed by a young fan in the stands, he will hope for similar support against the World No.4. Head to Head wise though, Zverev leads by a mile. He is 7-2 up albeit both have exchanged wins this year. Zverev won last at Indian Wells. Whilst De Minaur sealed the win at the United Cup. Who wins this time?
Court Philippe-Chatrier
Not before 13:00
Jasmine Paolini (12) v Elena Rybakina (4)
Mirra Andreeva v (2) Aryna Sabalenka
Night Session
Not before 20:15
Alexander Zverev (4) v Alex de Minaur (11)