Rafael Nadal in the first round-robin match at the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals in London
Rafael Nadal in the first round-robin match at the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals in London | © TENNIS PHOTO NETWORK / Getty Images

Tennis | Roland Garros 2021 | Defending champions take centre stage in day 11 quarter-finals

  • Rafael Nadal [3] v Diego Schwartzman
  • Iga Swiatek [8] v Maria Sakkari [17]
  • Novak Djokovic [1] v Matteo Berrettini [9]
  • Coco Gauff [24] v Barbora Krejcikova
PARIS, FRANCE – Defending champions Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek take centre stage as the quarter-final matches are completed on day 11 of Roland Garros.

 

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Rafael Nadal [3] v Diego Schwartzman [10] H2H & Match Fundamentals

Rafael Nadal [3] v Diego Schwartzman [10]

H2H: Nadal leads 10-1

Roland Garros

Paris, France

Clay (O)

Prize Money: €255,000

3rd on Philippe-Chatrier (13:00 BST time)

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Rafael Nadal is once again navigating through a tough Roland Garros draw with relative ease after outlasting Jannik Sinner in straight sets. Not everything is perfect with Nadal’s serve still needing to improve but the 13-time champion is looking tough to beat once again this year.

Before this year’s tournament, Diego Schwartzman’s confidence was at a low and many people were writing him off as a potential quarter-finalist. Roll on a couple of weeks later and a favourable draw and Schwartzman still hasn’t dropped a set with all of his game looking confident and slick heading into Wednesday’s clash.

If there is one player who can trouble Nadal at Roland Garros it is Schwartzman with the Argentinian, the only one to consistently win sets and make a match against Nadal a tough brawl. That’s exactly what Schwartzman will do but it is expected that the King of Clay will rise to the occasion again.

Prediction: Nadal in four sets.

 

Iga Swiatek [8] v Maria Sakkari [17] H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Iga Swiatek [8] v Maria Sakkari [17]

H2H: First meeting

Roland Garros

Paris, France

Clay (O)

Prize Money: €255,000

2nd on Philippe Chatrier (12:30 BST)

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Iga Swiatek, just like her hero Nadal, is the heavy favourite to lift the trophy again this year and become the first player since 2007 to defend her title in Paris. Also like Nadal she is on a set winning streak, 22 consecutive sets suggests that she is unstoppable right now. But also like Nadal there are still parts of her game that need smoothing out which is something she will look to put right on Wednesday.

As for Maria Sakkari, she is into her first grand slam quarter-final and playing with confidence on a surface she is very familiar with. Playing some of her best tennis of her career, the Greek’s mixture of defensive quality and attacking ferociousness will put her in a good place heading into this titanic battle.

Sakkari is a player that can trouble Swiatek but she’s going to need to take the match out of the Pole’s racket and that is something we haven’t seen her accomplish yet. Swiatek will like this match-up and another straight sets win is on the cards here.

Prediction: Swiatek in straight sets.

 

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Novak Djokovic [1] v Matteo Berrettini [9] H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Novak Djokovic [1] v Matteo Berrettini [9]

H2H: Djokovic leads 1-0

Roland Garros

Paris, France

Clay (O)

Prize Money: €255,000

4th on Philippe-Chatrier (Not before 20:00 BST time)

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Novak Djokovic survived a massive test of mental resolve in his fourth round match when he was two sets to love down against Lorenzo Musetti. However in typical Djokovic fashion he came back strong and looked like a completely different player. The world number one will be wary that if his forehand is as erratic as it was against Musetti then he may not be so lucky to come out victorious.

As for Matteo Berrettini, he has had an extra day’s rest after Roger Federer’s withdrawal and will need it if he wants to take Djokovic all the way on Wednesday night. The Italian’s form on clay this season has been fantastic with a final in Madrid boosting his chances of finally making a breakthrough at big events which was backed up by a title in Belgrade.

Although Berrettini has the game to trouble Djokovic, this is a perfect match-up for the Serb and conditions makes it even better for the world number one to punch holes through the Italian’s game.

Prediction: Djokovic in straight sets.

 

Coco Gauff [24] v Barbora Krejcikova  H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Coco Gauff [24] v Barbora Krejcikova

H2H: First meeting

Roland Garros

Paris, France

Clay (O)

Prize Money: €255,000

1st on Philippe-Chatrier (11:00 BST time)

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Coco Gauff has backed up her Rome semi-final and Parma title with a deep run at Roland Garros and a chance to get to her first grand slams semi-final. An Olympic spot clinched to boost, the American will now believe that her time is approaching with her game continuing to evolve and mature.

Speaking of confidence, Barbora Krejcikova sure doesn’t lack any with her stunning 2021 season continuing in Paris. A convincing win over former finalist Sloane Stephens sent a statement to the rest of the field as she looks to spoil the party at Roland Garros.

Krejcikova’s power mixed with defensive qualities sees this as a tricky test for Gauff in a match that is sure to go the distance. The American’s ability to be consistent with her power and patience during rallies will be given a tricky examination on Wednesday.

Prediction: Krejcikova in three sets.

 

 

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