French Open Tennis 2013: Previewing Wednesday's Men's Quarterfinals Matchups

Things have gone pretty much as expected through four-plus rounds at the French Open. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have dominated to get to this point, both squaring off in quarterfinals matchups to determine who will face either David Ferrer or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the finals.

Oh yeah, about that.

In what proved to be the biggest surprise of the later rounds, Tsonga dispatched No. 2 seed Roger Federer in straight sets for the 31-year-old’s first straight-set defeat prior to the semifinals since 2004. The match lasted less than two hours, but by the time the final point was recorded, it was obvious Federer was done with the red clay of Roland Garros.

With Federer out of the picture and Andy Murray having withdrawn before the tournament, Nadal and Djokovic are left to represent the Big Four at the French Open, and it’s entirely likely the two will square off head-to-head in the semifinals.

Let’s take a closer look at both quarterfinals matchups and break down the chances of a Djokovic-Nadal semifinals matchup.

No. 3 Rafael Nadal vs. No. 9 Stanislas Wawrinka

Where: Philippe Chatrier Court

When: 10 a.m. ET

Streaming: ESPN3 

Betting Line (per Bovada): Nadal -2000, Wawrinka +900

Nadal hasn’t lost a set since the first of his second-round match with Martin Kizan, and he doesn’t look to be in much danger of slowing down now.

In his second-round match, Rafa fell 6-4 in the first set before roaring back with three wins, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. His two subsequent matches have yielded straight-set victories over Fabio Fognini and Kei Nishikori, respectively, setting the table for an intriguing quarterfinals matchup.

Wawrinka hasn’t exactly played poorly, but it’s been much tougher sledding for the No. 9 seed.

It took the Swiss star five sets to dispatch No. 7 seed Richard Gasquet in the fourth round and four sets to get past No. 21 seed Jerzy Janowicz in the third. With two grueling matches in the rear-view, the 28-year-old can’t feel all that fresh as he enters a showdown with the King of Clay.

It comes as no surprise Rafa is heavily favored in the match, and it will take a monumental effort from Wawrinka to continue his French Open performance beyond the quarterfinals. When the dust settles, expect Nadal to walk away with an easy victory and a semifinals berth.

Prediction: Nadal wins in four sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

 

No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 12 Tommy Haas

Where: Suzanne Lenglen Court

When: 10 a.m. ET

Streaming: ESPN3 

Betting Line (per Bovada): Djokovic -1000, Haas +550

Like Nadal, Djokovic hasn’t struggled at all thus far, dropping just one set in three matches. In his first two pairings of the tournament, the world No. 1 dismantled Guido Pella and Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets with almost no resistance.

Djokovic looks as advertised so far, and Rafa is likely the only player standing in his way of a French Open title—though he can’t overlook his quarterfinals opponent.

No. 12 seed Tommy Haas obliterated No. 29 Mikhail Youzhny in the fourth round of the tournament to get to this point, and with that 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 victory, the 35-year-old should be well-rested for his quarterfinals affair.

That probably won’t be enough to upend the No. 1 player in the world, however.

Djokovic is in tremendous form and hasn’t been worn down much in prior rounds. It was a nice run for Haas, but there’s very little chance it continues into the semifinals.

Prediction: Djokovic wins in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4