French Open Power Rankings: Nadal Leads Final 16, Djokovic Crashes

Philipp Kohlschreiber stunned Novak Djokovic on Saturday afternoon in the third round of the French Open, opening the door for a whole host of others—especially those in the bottom half of the draw. Let’s take a look at the players who just might walk through it.

1) Rafael Nadal: It’s scary to think about heading into Week Two at Roland Garros, but Nadal has been getting better and better with each match. After a relatively listless performance in the first round, Nadal made quick work of Teimuraz Gabashvili in round two before a 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 demolition of former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt.

2) Fernando Gonzalez: Has anyone played better tennis through three rounds of a slam while making less noise? That’s probably the way Gonzo wants it, because it means he has been disposing of opponents with utmost ease. He was on fire going into Paris, and he is showing no signs of cooling off.

3) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: Looks like someone learned how to play on clay! It also doesn’t hurt that the charismatic Frenchman has the fans completely captivated. After ousting Juan Monaco, one of the most dangerous players in the field, Tsonga completely dismantled Christophe Rochus, giving up only six games in a straight-set win.

4) Juan Martin Del Potro: Del Potro hasn’t lost any of the momentum that he gained with an upset of Andy Murray in the Madrid semifinals. The 20-year-old Argentine has not lost a set this week despite facing tough opponents in Viktor Troicki and Igor Andreev. His fourth-round clash with Tsonga could be the match of the tournament.

5) Gael Monfils: Exactly one week ago, Monfils was doubtful to even participate in this tournament due to knee tendinitis. After three devastating performances and a handful of superhuman points, the Frenchman looks like a serious contender to make it to the final weekend.

6) Roger Federer: Federer managed to get out of the first week, but he has done little to inspire confidence that he is any kind of threat to Nadal. His draw has been easy (and it continues to be in the fourth round), but it will get a lot tougher—maybe too tough—starting in the quarterfinals.

7) Fernando Verdasco: Verdasco has been a quarterfinal machine this season, and he looks poised to make the last eight in Paris as well. Beyond that, however, it doesn’t look good for him with Nadal in the same section. Verdasco has done nothing this week to suggest he is ready to contend with the world No. 1.

8) Nikolay Davydenko: Davydenko has been flying under the radar because he has missed most of the season with a foot injury, but tennis fan should take note of an impressive third-round victory over an in-form Stanislas Wawrinka. Davydenko-Verdasco in round four will be an absolute battle.

9) Andy Murray: Like Federer, Murray has simply grinded out three victories. He was tied at one set apiece and trailing 5-1 in the third to Potito Starace, then Janko Tipsarevic served for the first set three times in the third round. Murray won’t be able to escape falling into a similar hole against Marin Cilic (fourth round) or Gonzalez (quarterfinals).

10) Marin Cilic – Like Tsonga, Cilic has never been a formidable clay-court player, but he is suddenly in rare form on the slow stuff. The 6’6’’ 20-year-old hasn’t lost a set this week—a run that includes a straight-set blowout of the veteran Radek Stepanek.

11) Andy Roddick: Yes, Roddick is playing the best he ever has on clay. But let’s be honest, his draw has been nothing short of a joke so far. The lone American remaining in the draw could get a seriously rude awakening against Monfils in the quarterfinals.

12) Philipp Kohlschreiber: Kohlschreiber shocked the tennis world by dispatching Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the third round. The German even has a good chance of reaching the quarters, next going up against Tommy Robredo. Still, it will be hard to duplicate the kind of show he displayed on Saturday.

13) Tommy Robredo: As usual, Robredo has simply been rock-solid, going about his business in super-quiet fashion. He lost the first set to little-known Maximo Gonzalez in the third round but bounced back to take the next three with ease.

14) Robin Soderling: Typically a threat on fast indoor courts alone, Soderling pulled off a huge win over accomplished clay-courter David Ferrer in the third round. Nadal, however, is next. Try as he might, Soderling won’t be able to forget getting served a breadstick and a bagel by Nadal when they played last month in Rome.

15) Victor Hanescu: Hanescu has been playing the best tennis of his life this week, but even he will admit that he is taking advantage of an ultra-soft draw. His good fortune—and his stay in Paris—will almost certainly end on Sunday at the hands of Gonzalez.

16) Tommy Haas: Speaking of beneficial draws, Haas has not yet faced a seeded player. The veteran German needed five sets to get past Leonardo Mayer in round two before ousting Jeremy Chardy in four. Haas’ run will most likely end right here with Federer looming in the fourth round.