Photo Source: Rolex
Paris – And then there were… four? Not quite, but soon in Paris. The final four quarterfinals will take place on Day 11 at Roland-Garros, here’s what we’re keeping tabs on.
See the full Day 11 Order of Play Here
The Drive for 25
Now things get tough for Novak Djokovic. EXTREMELY TOUGH.
If the 38-year-old is to win a record 25th major title in Paris, he’ll have to get past Alexander Zverev on Wednesday, and after that it would likely be Jannik Sinner followed by Carlos Alcaraz.
It is very reminiscent of what other players had to do to win a Slam in the Big 3 era. Djokovic has done everything in his power to be ready for this match. He has won eight matches in a row, and in Paris he has yet to drop a set and has spent just over nine hours on court in his first four rounds.
Does the 24-time major champion have enough spring in his step to make it through? He’s always been a miracle man, but this is a big ask. He’ll simply have to take it one match at a time, and just try to get past the challenge in front of him. He’s 8-5 lifetime against Zverev, and 100-16 overall at Roland-Garros. And, most important, he seems to be getting better with every round.
The Keys for Coco?
An all-American clash highlights the action on the women’s side as Coco Gauff battles Madison Keys. Keys owns the 3-2 lifetime edge over Gauff, and she has won the last two meetings, including their only clay meeting in Madrid in 2024.
Gauff hasn’t dropped a set yet in Paris, while Keys has had to walk the tightrope. She saved a trio of match points to get past Sofia Kenin in the third round and now rides an 11-match winning streak at the majors. Full credit to her for backing up her Australian Open title with consistent results. She’s 28-6 on the season, and hungry to prove that her breakout in Melbourne isn’t a one-off.
She’s one of the few players with the power to hit through Gauff’s relentless defense, especially if the conditions are playing fast. That said, some rain is expected on a cool day in Paris, so that could favor the more athletic Gauff, who would love to use her exceptional wheels to lengthen points and put more pressure on Keys.
Ready for an Encore?
Architects of upsets on Day 9 will return to action on Wednesday to try and continue their momentum. What will World No.361 Lois Boisson, who stunned third-seeded Jessica Pegula, and World No.62 Alexander Bublik, who toppled fifth-seeded Jack Draper, have to offer?
Boisson faces Mirra Andreeva, the rising Russian who is proving to be an elite talent in just her ninth major appearance. She’s bidding to reach back-to-back semis in Paris. Bublik will take a shot at Jannik Sinner. Good luck with that, Sasha – Sinner has looked absolutely invincible through his first four rounds in Paris.