Court Suzanne-Lenglen, third match
Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs Amanda Anisimova (16)
It seems like a lifetime ago that Amanda Anisimova ripped through the 2019 Roland-Garros draw to reach the semi-finals without dropping a set. She was 17 and everything was new and exciting.
After that, the world watched and waited for her to become a contender at all the major tournaments. But life seldom goes according to plan.
A combination of injuries, the death of her father just months after that run in Paris and, two years ago, a protracted break from the sport to take care of her mental health, stopped her from kicking on to even greater achievements.
But now she is back and facing an old foe in Aryna Sabalenka. Holding a 5-2 win-loss record over the world No.1 (she won their last match in Toronto last summer) Anisimova knows what she has to do and, unlike many of Sabalenka’s rivals, she goes into this encounter with no fear.
“We’re both pretty big hitters, so I’m sure we’re going to be going at it back and forth a bit,” she predicted. “Obviously, she’s one of the best right now. She’s No.1. I feel like it’s always a good matchup. I really enjoy the fight and the challenge that she brings on.”
Sabalenka, too, loves a challenge. She is relishing being the player to beat this year. Swiatek may have made Roland-Garros her home in the past five years, winning four titles, but Sabalenka is the world No.1. And she loves it, particularly because when she was young, some of the coaches back home thought she could never get this far.
“I heard a lot saying I’m not smart enough,” she said, “that I’m stupid, and I’ll never make it, and I don’t have anything to make it to the top.”
Boy, were they ever wrong.
Court Philippe-Chatrier, third match
Ben Shelton (13) vs Carlos Alcaraz (2)
There are popcorn matches and there are firecracker matches. This should be a firecracker (although feel free to bring some popcorn, too).
Two of the most exciting players to watch facing off for a spot in the quarter-finals. It’s not exactly a hard sell, is it?
There will be the battle of the two forehands. Then there is the power of Ben Shelton’s serve against the trickery and variety of Carlos Alcaraz’s touch; the sheer chutzpah of both men as they create something out of nothing and, quite simply, the stunning shot-making of both players.
“Playing the defending champion,” Shelton enthused, “Round of 16, centre court, that’s a pretty cool opportunity, pretty cool experience, that not a lot of people get to see in their lifetime.
“I’m definitely going to enjoy it and go out there and see what I can do, because I’m starting to gain some speed, gain a little bit of traction on this surface, and starting to see some of my best tennis. So I like to think of myself as dangerous whenever I get to that place.”
Both men bring an energy to the court like few others. Alcaraz has won both of their previous matches (both on hard courts) and he is the defending champion. On paper, he is the overwhelming favourite but, whatever the result, this should be fun to watch.
