French Open 2015: Tuesday Roland Garros Schedule and Bracket Predictions
It's quarter-final time at the 2015 French Open, and Tuesday's highlight sees Swiss duo Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka go head-to-head.
Fifth seed Kei Nishikori will take on Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the Japanese hoping to send off the final local hope in the men's draw.
In the women's competition, Ana Ivanovic will take on Elina Svitolina, while the Maria Sharapova-ousting Lucie Safarova takes on Spain's Garbine Muguruza.
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Here are the full lineup for Tuesday's play along with predictions and a closer look at the headline matches.
| No. 5 Kei Nishikori vs. No. 14 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga | Philippe-Chatrier (2nd) | Tsonga |
| No. 8 Stan Wawrinka vs. No.2 Roger Federer | Suzanne-Lenglen (2nd) | Federer |
| No. 7 Ana Ivanovic vs. No. 19 Elina Svitolina | Philippe-Chatrier (1st) | Ivanovic |
| No. 21 Garbine Muguruza vs. No. 13 Lucie Safarova | Suzanne-Lenglen (1st) | Safarova |
Complete schedule courtesy of RolandGarros.com.
No. 8 Stan Wawrinka vs. No. 2 Roger Federer
From the start of this year's French Open, a final berth for Federer has always looked likely, with Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray all in the other side of the draw.
The Swiss legend has breezed through his first four rounds, only dropping a set against Gael Monfils before coming back to beat the Frenchman convincingly on Monday, per BBC Tennis:
Wawrinka has had a similarly easy time of it, dispatching Gilles Simon in three sets to reach the quarter-finals to face his compatriot.
However, the 30-year-old faces a huge task in his attempt to make it past the last eight for the first time ever in Paris, 2013 being the only previous year in which he got as far as the quarters.
Federer is in terrific form going into Tuesday's match and has an impressive record over Wawrinka—the head-to-head currently stands at 16-2 in favour of the 17-time Grand Slam champion.
Most recently, Federer eased past Wawrinka on clay in Rome, as noted by ESPN's Darren Cahill and Chris Fowler in their preview of a difficult day for the world No. 9:
Federer's immense experience should shine through on Tuesday against Wawrinka, and he should have enough to see himself on to the last four against either Tsonga or Nishikori.
Prediction: Federer wins in four sets.
No. 5 Kei Nishikori vs. No. 14 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
It's not been the best of tournaments for the homegrown players at the French Open in 2015, with Monfils, Simon, Richard Gasquet and Jeremy Chardy all falling in Round 4.
However, they have one last hope left in the shape of Tsonga, who passed a distinct test in his fourth-round match, taking out fourth-seeded Tomas Berdych in four sets.
A raucous crowd buoyed him hugely against Berdych, and he will have the same level of support again on Philippe-Chatrier Court on Tuesday.
Nishikori has breezed through to the last eight not being overly challenged and indeed having a bye into the fourth round after Benjamin Becker withdrew, per Sky Sports Tennis:
This may count against him as he faces a Tsonga very much into the rhythm of his play after facing a huge test against Berdych.
Equally, Tsonga has been here before—this is his third appearance in the French Open quarters—while Nishikori has never been this far at Roland Garros.
With huge home support expected and Tsonga looking in fine form, he should give the crowd something to cheer about by advancing to the semis, but it is likely to be a hard-fought contest.
Prediction: Tsonga wins in five sets.
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