French Open 2015 Results: Wednesday Scores, Latest Predictions for Roland Garros
The quarterfinals of the 2015 French Open are now history, as an enticing semifinal draw awaits the final few days of play at Roland Garros, but not before a massive result with historical implications shook up the field.
No. 1 Novak Djokovic took care of business Wednesday in the marquee matchup for the ages with No. 6 Rafael Nadal, which proved seismic for a number of reasons. Not only did Djokovic's victory mark his first against Nadal at the French Open and give the Spaniard just his second loss there in the last decade, but he did so in a dominant, straight-sets performance.
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Awaiting Djokovic in Friday's semifinal will be third-seeded Andy Murray, who overcame a late surge from No. 7 David Ferrer and won in a four-set display of prowess. Murray has a perfect clay-court record in 2015 to buoy off of as he looks to make it to his first final at Roland Garros.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams and Timea Bacsinszky both reigned supreme over their opponents in Wednesday's quarterfinals to set up a semifinal between them Thursday. Let's take a look forward at that match, along with Thursday's other women's semifinal, after dissecting the quarterfinal scores from Wednesday.
2015 French Open Scores: Wednesday, June 3
| No. 1 Novak Djokovic def. No. 6 Rafael Nadal | 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 |
| No. 3 Andy Murray def. No. 7 David Ferrer | 7-6 (4), 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 |
| No. 1 Serena Williams def. No. 17 Sara Errani | 6-1, 6-3 |
| No. 23 Timea Bacsinszky def. Alison Van Uytvanck | 6-4, 7-5 |
Thursday Schedule and Predictions
| No. 7 Ana Ivanovic vs. No. 13 Lucie Safarova | Philippe-Chatrier (2nd) | Ivanovic |
| No. 1 Serena Williams vs. No. 23 Timea Bacsinszky | Philippe-Chatrier (3rd) | Williams |
No. 7 Ana Ivanovic vs. No. 13 Lucie Safarova
Early-season results can often prove to be inconsequential when a player enters a Grand Slam with the right mentality. No other explanation would best serve No. 7 Ana Ivanovic's play at the French Open, where she can move one step closer to her second title at Roland Garros Thursday.
The opponent—as is always the case in a major semifinal—is not an easy one, however. Ivanovic will go up against 13th-seeded Lucie Safarova, who upset Maria Sharapova earlier in the tournament and hasn't yet been taken to three sets in her five wins.
Recent results help to paint a back-and-forth picture between the two opponents. Safarova handled Ivanovic at Roland Garros in 2012, but Ivanovic topped Safarova convincingly in their 2008 meeting en route to Ivanovic's lone French Open title.
A 5-3 all-time record against Ivanovic seems to paint Safarova as the favorite, but Ivanovic hasn't played at this level since her 2008 run. In that tournament, Ivanovic only allowed Safarova three games in a straight-sets win.
That's what should bubble to the surface Thursday, with Safarova more likely to get worn out after having to play in tiebreakers in each of her last three matches. Ivanovic won't balk at those sorts of opportunities, winning in an epic clash.
Prediction: Ivanovic wins in three sets
No. 1 Serena Williams vs. No. 23 Timea Bacsinszky
Williams knew she wouldn't have the typical off day for rest following Wednesday's match against Sara Errani in the quarterfinals, and she seemed to play in that regard. For the first time in four matches, she avoided losing the opening set and instead cruised to a straight-sets win.
While stamina and sustainability aren't usually issues in Williams' game, she at least avoided the potential of being lagged and tired when Bacsinszky comes knocking in a short-turnaround semifinal Thursday.
Really, that's the only chance that Bacsinszky would have to pull off the massive upset. When Williams is playing without any serious obstacles preventing her from reaching that peak level, she's virtually unbeatable.
That didn't stop her from floating plenty of compliments toward her upcoming foe, per Roland Garros:
While Williams didn't have to break much of a sweat to get out of the quarterfinal round Wednesday, the same can't be said of her opponent. Bacsinszky did get past Alison Van Uytvanck in straight sets, but she conceded at least four games in both sets.
Bacsinszky has hit 39 or more winners in two of her matches at Roland Garros this year, but those numbers dipped to 16 or lower in her three other wins. Williams' power will prevent Bacsinszky from displaying her own power that has overtaken so many opponents in the tournament thus far, allowing for another simple victory for the American.
Prediction: Williams wins in straight sets
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