French Open 2012 Schedule: Day 11 TV Coverage, Matches and Bracket Guide
Half of the men’s and women’s final four at Roland Garros is set as the first 10 days of the 2012 French Open are now in the books.
No. 1 seeded Novak Djokovic was able to survive a mid-match collapse to advance past No. 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 5-7, 5-7, 7-6, 6-1. He doesn’t look sharp, is lacking confidence and is ripe for the upset against No. 3 Roger Federer, who cleared No. 9 Juan Marin del Potro 3-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-0, 6-3.
Both players enter the semis with large question marks.
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On the women’s side No. 6 Samantha Stosur looked like a player ready to win the title in her incredibly easy 6-4, 6-1 win over Dominika Cibulkova. She looks unbeatable right now.
The one upset of the day was No. 21 Sara Errani over No. 10 Angelique Kerber 6-3, 7-6. She is now the surprise of the tournament and is playing with house money in the semis…always a dangerous situation.
With half of the final four set, Day 11 will provide us with more answers in four matches that feature only one really juicy matchup.
| June 6, 8 a.m. - 1p.m. (Live) | Quarterfinals ESPN2 |
Notable Matches
Men’s
No. 2 Rafael Nadal vs. No. 12 Nicolas Almagro
There is no way of sugarcoating this match: this would be the biggest upset in years if Almagro were to win.
Rafa sports a 49-1 career record on the clay surface at Roland Garros, and treats it like his own personal court with the way he glides and spins the ball.
Expect Rafa to reach the semis in rather efficient fashion, even if he’s playing the 12th ranked player in the world.
No. 4 Andy Murray vs. No. 6 David Ferrer
Back issues can’t hold down Murray.
Despite falling behind in multiple matches as his back loosens up, Murray has turned in one of the gutsier performances in recent memory to reach the quarterfinals.
Now the competition is upgraded significantly against Ferrer.
Ferrer has won all three of their head-to-head matches on clay, and enters Wednesday’s match as one of the most consistent players in the event. Expect him to take advantage of a hobbled Murray in a gritty five-set win.
This is going to be the match of Day 11, no doubt about it.
Women’s
No. 2 Maria Sharapova vs. No. 23 Kaia Kanepi
There is no question who the favorite to win on the women’s side is. With only two other top 10 players remaining in the field, the clear women’s favorite has to be Sharapova.
The Russian has only dropped one set thus far, and has looked very smooth and relaxed to this point.
Kanepi is here because she shocked No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki, and has yet to face another ranked opponent. Against Sharapova, she’ll be sent home rather swiftly.
No. 4 Petra Kvitova vs. Yaroslava Shvedova
This one is a no-brainer.
Kvitova is absolutely cruising, only dropping one set just like Sharapova.
She has yet to play a ranked opponent, which means Kvitova hasn’t had to exert the sort of energy other players have had—and at a grueling tournament like the French Open, that’s very important.
Expect Kvitova to cruise over Shvedova, who is still in shock that she actually beat the defending champion Li Na.
Here are two potential matchups that could hold some serious intrigue in the semis.
No. 2 Rafael Nadal vs. No. 6 David Ferrer
The two best Spaniards in the world have been destroying the competition on clay, and seem poised to be on a collision course to meet in the semis.
Rafa looks unbeatable thus far at Roland Garros. He is brimming with confidence, completely healthy for the first time in nearly a year and putting his patented spin on the ball which is causing errors in bunches by his opponents.
But Ferrer is a worthy challenger.
“The Little Beast” has been unbelievably consistent, has shown off blazing-fast speed and the sort of toughness we’ve previously never seen from him before.
He has yet to drop a single set in this tournament and should give Nadal an incredible challenge if they meet in the semis.
No. 2 Maria Sharapova vs. No. 4 Petra Kvitova
This would be the true championship match in my book.
No two women are currently playing better tennis. Both have stormed through the competition. Both are 100 percent healthy. Both are rested. Both have been strong throughout 2012.
I have no idea who would win, but I do know it would be the most entertaining match of the entire tournament on the women’s side of the draw.
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