For Leyla Fernandez. The young Canadian (seed n°17), surprise finalist of the last US Open, plays an atypical game made of mischief, counters, inspirations, anticipations, variations. Success hasn’t changed anything: “When I arrive on the court, I always have something to prove. I still have this state of mind that I am an outsider, that I am young, that I still have a lot to show to the public so that they can appreciate the tennis match. And that, ultimately, is my goal. So I really want to play well in every game. This state of mind has helped me to understand that I can continue to move forward, to play tournaments and to move in the right direction. For a place in the semi-finals, the Canadian will meet the Italian Martina Trevisan (59th in the world).
For Coco Gauff. The American (18 years old; seeded n°18) is ready for a 100% American duel against Sloane Stephens (64th in the world, who was a finalist at Roland-Garros in 2018). Gauff will experience her second Grand Slam quarter-final, the second at Roland-Garros, after the one lost last year against Barbora Krejcikova, the future winner. “I really like clay, the public. I have the feeling that with each game, I improve. I have confidence in myself, I have confidence in my game. The last tournaments on clay, I had good results but not as well as this year and I learned a lot, ”she says.
For Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish phenomenon (No. 6), after having to dismiss a match point in the second round against his compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas, steps over obstacles with an explosive mixture of strength and confidence. He resists the weight of waiting and will challenge Alexander Zverev (n°3) with determination. In their last meeting, the German was clearly inclined 6-3, 6-1, in the final in Madrid.
For the Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal clash. They are inseparable. Since the draw, their parallel ascent has been dissected. Novak Djokovic (n°1) and Rafael Nadal (n°5) will do battle. If the Serb leads 30 victories to 28 in a series launched in 2006 in… quarter-finals at Roland-Garros (led 6-4, 6-4, Novak Djokovic, injured, had been forced to retire), the Spaniard dominates 7 wins to 2 at Roland-Garros (Djokovic won in the quarter-finals in 2015 and in the semi-finals in 2021). If Nadal has won 4 of the last 5 matches played on clay, Djokovic will leave with the favor of the forecasts. Uncertainty, as since the start of the tournament, will cling to the physique of Rafael Nadal. Will he be able to fight with all his means if the match drags on?
For Gabriela Sabatini. Associated with her compatriot Gisela Dulko, Gabriela Sabatini will be one of the attractions of the Tournament of Legends. The Argentines will face Americans Lindsay Davenport and Mary Joe Fernandez. Sabatini (52) played three semi-finals at Roland-Garros in 1987, 1991 and 1992.
The program, this Tuesday. Court Philippe-Chatrier (from 12 p.m.): Martina Trevisan (ITA) – Leylah Fernandez (CAN, 17); Coco Gauff (US, 18) – Sloane Stephens (US); Alexander Zverev (GER, 3) – Carlos Alcaraz (ESP, 6). Not before 8:45 p.m.: Novak Djokovic (SRB, 1) – Rafael Nadal (ESP, 5).
