Schedule ATP WTA Roland Garros 2025 Day Eight: Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, and Swiatek-Rybakina in pursuit of quarterfinals

The second week of Roland Garros is underway, and the biggest names are beginning to set their sights on the final stages of the tournament. For many, a "new tournament" truly begins at this point, with the strongest contenders still in the running. Four women's and four men's matches will battle for quarterfinal berths.

The clash between Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina will headline the women's side, while Ben Shelton against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is likely the blockbuster match of the day. Aryna Sabalenka, Lorenzo Musetti, Zheng Qinwen, and Tommy Paul will also take to the courts.

The day's action will begin with 2024 finalist Jasmine Paolini (No. 4), facing the always challenging Elina Svitolina (No. 13), starting at 11:00 AM local time. The Italian maintains a 9-match winning streak after her title in Rome Open. Paolini is also second in Grand Slam main draw victories since the start of 2024 with 23, trailing only Sabalenka (27). So far, Paolini and Svitolina have met only once, earlier this year, with Svitolina winning in the third round of the Australian Open hardcourts.

Once that match concludes, it will be the second women's match on the main stadium: three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek (No. 5) will face Elena Rybakina (No. 12), one of the most interesting rivalries of recent seasons. With a 4-4 head-to-head, the Kazakhstani is one of the few players who has consistently troubled Swiatek, even defeating her in their two clay court encounters (Rome 2023 and Stuttgart 2024). This will be Swiatek's first match against a high-profile opponent in this tournament, and for both, it will be a significant test. Without a doubt, whoever emerges victorious can consider themselves a serious title contender.

The third match will feature men's defending champion Carlos Alcaraz (No. 2) against Ben Shelton (No. 13). Once again, the Spaniard has been almost unbeatable on clay courts, with an 18-1 record on the surface this season and two Masters 1000 titles (Monte-Carlo and Rome). Shelton – not a clay-court specialist – managed to reach this stage, taking advantage of Hugo Gaston's retirement in the second round and then defeating Matteo Gigante in straight sets in the third round. Alcaraz won both previous encounters (both on hardcourts), and this time he is a greater favorite than ever against the American star.

To close out the day, the night session will feature the first top-10 clash among the men. Holger Rune (No. 10) faces Lorenzo Musetti (No. 8). It will be an open match between two players who achieved great results in the clay-swing: while Rune won the title at Barcelona Open (defeating Alcaraz in the final), Musetti reached at least the semifinals in all three Masters on clay, including the final in Monte-Carlo. The head-to-head currently favors Rune 2-0.

The day will open at 11:00 AM with 2024 Canadian Open champion Alexei Popyrin (No. 25) facing Tommy Paul (No. 12). The American is the highest-ranked player from his country still in the draw after Taylor Fritz's early exit from the tournament, and he has shown great form on clay courts. On the other hand, the Australian, not typically a clay specialist, defeated Alejandro Tabilo and Nuno Borges along the way, and has yet to concede a set in the tournament. Paul is a slight favorite considering the conditions, although Popyrin has shown fierceness in recent weeks and will surely look to spring a surprise – something he has become accustomed to in the last year.

The second match will feature Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen (No. 8), who, considering the Olympic Games, boasts a nine-match winning streak on the Roland Garros courts. She has displayed strong confidence during the first week of the tournament and comes from defeating the tricky Victoria Mboko – all while still not conceding a set in the tournament. The Chinese star is certainly starting to feel like a contender, but she will first have to pass a tough test against Liudmila Samsonova (No. 19), a finalist in Strasbourg a week ago who was just moments away from clinching that title. Seven wins in her last eight matches give her credit to surprise Zheng.

The third match will be none other than world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, once again relegated to Suzanne Lenglen. She will face a significant challenge against Amanda Anisimova (No. 16), who holds a notable positive head-to-head record against the Belarusian of 5-2 (2-1 on clay courts). Anisimova is one of those players who knows how to defeat Sabalenka and could put her in a tough spot. Without a doubt, she is one of the most complicated opponents for the three-time Grand Slam champion.

The night session will be closed by world No. 15 Frances Tiafoe, against the surprise of this round: Daniel Altmaier (No. 66), the second lowest-ranked player still alive in the tournament. He eliminated Fritz in the first round and is making his second appearance in the French Open fourth round (2020, 2025). The German feels comfortable on clay courts, although the head-to-head favors 'Big Foe' (2-0). It's a good chance for both – especially for the American, whom few would have seen in the advanced rounds at the start of the tournament, but who could quietly make his way into the quarterfinals if he manages to confirm his favoritism.