French Open 2015: Predictions for Top Singles Stars of Wednesday's Draw Schedule
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Serena Williams will all take to the clay at Roland Garros as the 2015 French Open reaches its decisive phase in the men's and women's events.
The men's quarter-final between Djokovic and Nadal is undoubtedly the highlight. It pits world No. 1 Djokovic against a true master on clay. How well the reigning Wimbledon champion transfers his game to what's been a tricky surface in Paris will be the key.
As for Murray, he's improved on clay after performing well in both Munich and Madrid. But he knows that Spain's David Ferrer is a difficult opponent.
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Williams may have hardly produced her best tennis so far. But the No. 1 in women's tennis will still be heavily favoured to reach the final four when she takes on Italian Sara Errani.
Here's what to expect from the top singles stars on display in Wednesday's draw:
No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 6 Rafael Nadal
This is certainly the marquee meeting of the remainder of the tournament. In fact, Christopher Clarey of the New York Times has dubbed it "quite possibly, the highest-profile men’s quarter-final of the Open era."
He noted how the stakes are high for Djokovic, who has yet to taste the ultimate victory at Roland Garros. Of course, Nadal is hardly the ideal opponent if you're trying to make history.
He's dominated this particular event, winning it nine times previously, per Clarey. Actually, Nadal has always been at his best on clay. Or perhaps that should be Nadal had always been at his best on clay.
This year has hardly been the kindest to Nadal on the surface he adores. He suffered defeat to Murray on home clay at the Madrid Masters. Also, Djokovic beat Nadal in Monte Carlo.
But this is Nadal's event. However, he's looked far from his best in recent matches, while Djokovic is at the top of his game.
Expect the top-ranked player to come out on top in this one.
No. 3 Andy Murray vs. No. 7 David Ferrer
Murray's progression to the quarter-final has kept alive his stunning record on clay during this calendar year. BBC Sport writer Piers Newbery detailed just how successful the Scot has been on a surface that once caused him plenty of problems: "Murray, 28, has now won all 14 clay-court matches he has played in 2015."
Murray didn't find his route to the last eight easy against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy. Playing in front of a home crowd, Chardy resisted Murray's efforts to break serve, per Newbery.
But Murray then produced what Newbery dubbed "breathtaking defensive work" to see him through. Yet he won't want Ferrer to force him into such reactive tennis.
The Spaniard is playing in his sixth quarter-final at Roland Garros. He's already wary about a possible early blitz from Murray, per the ATP World Tour official site: "He's much more aggressive. When he uses the different shots he has to play, he's one of the best players in the top three."
Ferrer may be the one trying to slow things down against Murray. Few players manufacture shots as well as the Scot, though. He's got the range to dictate the pace of play.
Expect Murray to establish control early and maintain it even after one or two scares.
No. 1 Serena Williams vs. No. 17 Sara Errani
Williams didn't exactly make easy work of her Round 4 meeting with fellow American Sloane Stephens. In fact, it was a downright struggle for the world No. 1.
USA Today Sports' Nick McCarvel described the late revival Williams needed after Stephens pushed her to the brink: "Williams was three points from defeat against Stephens, serving at 4-5 down in the second and love-15. But she'd win the next four points in that game, and then another two games in a row to secure the second set and send the match into a third."
There are two ways of viewing Williams' frankly sluggish displays so far in Paris.
Either her luck can't last and is set to run out in spectacular fashion against the No. 17 seed in a quarter-final or perhaps Williams' ability to scrape through is the classic hallmark of a champion. Given her history, the latter view seems more plausible.
Maria Sharapova's shock dismissal will buoy her as well, per BBC Sport.
What should really scare Errani is the possibility that Williams has been saving her best tennis for when it matters most. Count on Williams doing exactly that and dismissing the Italian in dominant fashion.
All of the top stars featuring in Wednesday's draw are good bets to progress. Even though the stakes are higher, Murray and Williams will seize their chances to improve.
As for Djokovic, Nadal will make him work harder, but not even the Spaniard chasing one more moment of Roland Garros glory will be able to stop him.
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