It’s day 11 of the french open, and the top half of the draw will be playing their quarter-final matches. Here are my predictions.
Garbine Muguruza vs. Maria Sharapova
Along with Angelique Kerber, Garbine Muguruza is one of the most talented women in tennis. Since turning professional in 2012, she has won six singles titles, including two majors at the 2016 French Open and the 2017 Wimbledon Championships.
Maria Sharapova has won all four grand slams in her career, but this has been shadowed by her drugs ban. She will come into this match fit, and fresh as she didn’t have to play one point in her previous match due to Serena Williams withdrawal from the tournament.
My prediction: I hope that Garbine Muguruza wins this in straight sets, but if Sharapova is in form, I suspect it may take the 3rd seed three sets.
Rafael Nadal vs. Diego Schwartzman
Nadal has won 16 Grand Slam singles titles, a record 32 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles, a record 20 ATP World Tour 500 tournaments, and the 2008 Olympic gold medal in singles. In majors, Nadal has won 10 French Open titles, 3 US Open titles, 2 Wimbledon titles, and one Australian Open title.
Diego Schwartzman has won two ATP singles titles, and is currently number 12 in the world. He is known for his deadly return game, and being a clay-court specialist.
My prediction: Schwartzman may take a set, but that will be it. Nadal in four sets.
Simona Halep vs. Angelique Kerber
Simona Halep is the current world No. 1 on the WTA Tour, having previously held this position for 16 weeks between October 2017 and January 2018. Whilst she is the world number 1, she has not won a grand slam.
In my opinion, Angelique Kerber is one of the most talented players on the women's tour. She is a former world number 1, 2-time grand slam champion and Wimbledon finalist
My prediction: This is going to be a tough match for the world number 1, and I don’t think she will win it. I’m going for Kerber to make the semi-finals in three sets.
Marin Cilic vs. Juan Martin Del Potro
Over the course of his career, Cilic has won 17 ATP singles titles, including the 2014 US Open. He was also runner-up at the 2017 Wimbledon Championships and the 2018 Australian Open, losing to Roger Federer both times. Cilic has reached at least the quarter-finals.
Del Potro’s biggest achievement has been winning the 2009 US Open, defeating Rafael Nadal in the semifinal and 5-time defending champion Roger Federer in the final. He was the first to defeat both Federer and Nadal during the same major and was the only man outside the Big Four to win a major between the 2005 French Open and the 2013 US Open, a span of 35 tournaments. He is also the second Argentine and the fifth-youngest man to win the US Open in the Open Era.
My prediction: I think JMDP will win this, but it may take the 6th seed four sets.