World. No 1 Iga Świątek and No. 3 Coco Gauff cruise to French Open quarter-finals
The GIST: Through rain delays and unusually late play, the Roland-Garros quarter-finals (QFs) (sans any Canadian singles players) are fast approaching, with half of the women’s and men’s spots clinched and the remaining eight to be awarded by the end of the day. Magnifique.
Women’s: No. 1 Iga Świątek and No. 3 Coco Gauff cruised through their respective fourth round matches in straight sets. The defending French Open champion, Świątek will take on No. 5 Markéta Vondroušovà tomorrow, while Gauff faces off against perennial bridesmaid No. 8 Ons Jabeur, who is still seeking her first major title.
- Meanwhile, 2024 Australian Open winner No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka is battling No. 22 Emma Navarro early this morning for a QF spot of her own. Navarro upset fellow American No. 14 Madison Keys on Saturday, but she’ll have to dig deep to knock out Sabalenka, who hasn’t dropped a set all tourney.
Men’s: Reigning champ, No. 1 Novak Djokovic will need to stifle a yawn when he faces No. 23 Francisco Cerúndolo in fourth round play today at 10 a.m. ET. Djokovic rallied for a comeback five-set win in the wee hours of Sunday morning, finishing at 3 a.m. local time. Tired just thinking about it.
- Elsewhere, one can’t-miss QF is already set: tomorrow’s showdown between No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz and No. 9 Stefanos Tsitsipas. Alcaraz ousted Tsitsipas from Roland-Garros last year, but Tsitsipas has been in top form this clay season.
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