As it turned out, Stephens had the better command of the menu at hand.
.@SloaneStephens celebrates her @rolandgarros R4 win over Garbine Muguruza pic.twitter.com/EFGiRE4IUO
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) June 2, 2019
Not taking the court until the fourth scheduled match up on Chatrier made for a long wait for the two, both slam singles titlists in 2017 (Muguruza at Wimbledon, Stephens in New York). What was most assuredly the most anticipated women's 4th Round match of Day 8 didn't roll around until late in the afternoon, following matches that included that Rafa Dude and the Feder-ling Guy. Unfortunately, as (at least) a third of the assembled aficionados decided to turn up their noses to the offering, the match ended up playing the role of a passed-up-by-every-other-table after dinner mint for the French fans who'd congregated all day long inside the newly rebuilt stadium that bears the name of a tennis player and former journalist who never advanced past the 3rd Round of a major, the showcase battlefield site for a tournament named for a French aviator who once sold automobiles in Paris (sorry, just had the urge to channel a little Petko for a moment).
But, no matter, for this match could prove to be the most important of the entire women's event.
With the assault on the seeds in the bottom half of the draw nearly complete, #7 Stephens and #19 Muguruza entered the day as the only players of the eight left who'd ever reached a slam final. The winner would inherit the golden opportunity to contend in the final stages of this tournament for a fitful (and, some would say, fairly overdue) follow-up to their most recent slam title runs. Considering the history of both when it comes to seeing their title chances appreciate with each round as they build one bankable success upon another, laying a solid foundation for a confident championship run, a win here against a quality, experienced opponent might prove to be *the* key moment of their current business trip to France. The moment after whichever player who wins *fully* invests in the endeavor until the mission is complete.
As expected, overcoming the volatility of the momentum in the match proved to be the most important aspect.
It was Muguruza whose gains were greatest early on. The Spaniard broke to start the match, and had a chance for a double-break lead two games later. She held five break points on the Stephens serve, but failed to cash in on any of the opportunities. It would turn out to be quite possibly *the* key game of the match, or at the very least set the tone for what was to follow. Rather than pick up speed and start to roll through Stephens as she has many other opponents during her biggest title runs, Muguruza had left a door open for the Bannerette.
Gradually, as Stephens drew closer, first *during* games, then on the match scoreboard, Muguruza's failure to take a 3-0 lead became more and more noteworthy.
Stephens got to deuce on Muguruza's serve in game #4, though the Spaniard held for 3-1. Come game #6, with Stephens picking up momentum, Muguruza fell behind love/40. The break of serve set off a string of four straight games claimed by the Bannerette. Game #8 saw Muguruza climb out of a 15/40 hole, holding three game points, before dropping serve on Stephens' third BP. Serving for the set at 5-3, Stephens didn't close. Muguruza managed to get the break back, but rather than go all-in on the change of fortune she instead immediately fell behind love/40 on serve the very next game. Stephens took the game and won the set 6-4.
Muguruza had chances to break on top in the 2nd, but continued to come up short. Up 15/30 on Stephens serve in game #3, she could get no closer. Up 15/30 in game #7, the same. Stephens, though, squandered no such chance. She took a 15/40 lead with a drop shot/pass off Muguruza's racket combo to reach. Muguruza's missed swing volley handed her the break for 5-3. After having such difficulty closing out matches through the first three rounds, Stephens' moment of truth had arrived. If greater things truly are ahead of her at this Roland Garros, she almost had to secure the win without once again losing her focus and being forced to go three sets.
Right on cue, Stephens fired up a big serve that produced a Muguruza return error to reach double MP at 40/15 lead. Then things got a little hairy. Both MP went by, then so did a third. Another swing volley miss from the Spaniard -- this time from the backhand side -- gave Stephens her fourth MP. Muguruza saved it with her forehand, then whacked a backhand down the line to reach BP.
Then, with the prospect of things slipping away staring her in the face, Stephens stepped up and hit an ace. And that said it all.
A long Muguruza forehand gave Stephens a fifth MP, then a netted backhand return ended things. Stephens' 6-4/6-3 win, an acceptable (and at times telling) step up over her previous efforts at this Roland Garros, carries her into her second straight QF in Paris. Meanwhile, it assures the Spaniard of falling outside the Top 20 for the first time in nearly four years (a streak of 207 weeks, the third longest on tour behind those of Halep and Pliskova, that began in late June 2015).
Comprehensive victory for @SloaneStephens.
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) June 2, 2019
The American defeats Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-3.#RG19 pic.twitter.com/Du5Puh3Pke
Muguruza's inability to get the early double-break in the 1st may have turned the opening set (and possibly the match) decidedly in Sloane's favor. While the winners (Stephens 20-19) and UE (25-28) stats were nearly identical on the day, Stephens' more commanding 4-of-8 BP numbers vs. Muguruza's 2-of-8 stats essentially accounted for the difference between the two on the scoreboard.
Muguruza, even while slipping in the rankings, has been closer in recent events to where she wishes to be. Until today, it was easy to envision a third slam title run come next weekend. And, remember, her last slam title run was at SW19... so maybe Paris was the stepping stone rather than the objective.
For Stephens, though, it's still all there for her at *this* slam. And, no, I'm not talking about all the flavors she can sample at that Häagen-Dazs store on the Champs-Élysées that she told Marion Bartoli she likes so much in her post-match interview.
Stephens she came up one set short of the title a year ago. If she ends up celebrating on the court named for that aforementioned WWI flyboy, we might look back and say that her takeoff officially took place right here.
No player has more match wins this clay season than #31 Petra Martic. The 28-year old became a first-time tour titlist in Istanbul in April.
After being taken to three sets four times while winning that crown, the Croat hadn't lost a single set in Paris coming into today's Round of 16 match with Kaia Kanepi, a first week RG run that included a win over #2 Karolina Pliskova. After dropping the 1st set to the Estonian, Martic came back strong to win 5-7/6-2/6-4 to reach her first career slam QF.
15-2 this spring with a classic clay court game filled with variety and a deft touch, Martic will nonetheless likely continue to fly mostly under the radar at this event until, suddenly, she very well could be playing for a chance to win it.
Fifth time is the charm.....
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2019
Petra Martic celebrates her first career Grand Slam quarter-final in five attempts with a 5-7 6-2 6-4 win over Kaia Kanepi.
?? https://t.co/7mM6cVEJqV#RG19 pic.twitter.com/tp1XukheYQ
Her next opponent will be 19-year old Czech Marketa Vondrousova, who won in dominant fashion 2 & love over #12 Anastasija Sevastova today. While Vondrousova has gone 25-5 since the Australian Open, where her brief singles run ended with a loss to Martic, it was the Czech who was on the other end of thet Istanbul final won by Martic, as well, tiring down the stretch after having taken the 1st set. The Croat has won all four of her match-ups with the teenager since the start of 2018.
Vondrousova on #RolandGarros: “I’m in love with this place.” ????
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) June 2, 2019
No wonder. Into the QFs without losing a set, or even being pushed beyond 6-4.
She could win this thing, right?
While an identifiable star will be "born" when either Martic or Vondrousova becomes a first-time slam semifinalist in two days (making it 22-of-24, and 23-of-26, majors to feature at least one new name in the final four), there could be another in the making on the sidelines. Depending on how things go with Petra, over the next week Sandra Zaniewska could very well end up passing by Iga Swiatek as the most talked about Pole in Paris. To this point, Martic's choice of the 27-year old as her new coach seems to have been a stroke of "gut feeling" genius.
“I wanted to prove I did the right thing."
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) June 2, 2019
Petra Martic says she feels validated by her QF run @rolandgarros because a lot of people thought she was crazy for hiring Sandra Zaniewska as her coach. #RG19 pic.twitter.com/WNzhkohY5I
More from @szaniewska. Martic struggling with her leg and Zaniewska has some inspired words for her. #VolvoCarOpen pic.twitter.com/leBndwUxIk
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) April 6, 2019
Facing off with Stephens in the other QF in the bottom half will be #26 Johanna Konta, who continued her revelatory clay court spring with a 6-2/6-4 win over #23 Donna Vekic. Improving to 14-3 on the surface in '19, and evening up her career RG record at 4-4 with one solid week of results, she's the first Brit to reach the RG quarterfinals in thirty-six years. It's her first slam QF since reaching the Wimbledon semis two years ago.
History Book Bound ??@JohannaKonta becomes the first British woman to reach the Roland-Garros quarter-finals since 1983 with her 6-2 6-4 win over Donna Vekic.
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2019
?? https://t.co/vKfBxnrBzf #RG19 pic.twitter.com/PqyhH3NNyk
With so many players (Alona, I see you) having so much difficulty adding to or improving their games, Konta's work to improve her movement on the dirt and add variety to the clean groundstrokes that not long ago made her look like a contender for the tour's "best hard court player," could/should prove to be an inspiration to many. If they choose to accept the mission, that is.
Johanna Konta v Donna Vekic is second on Court Suzanne Lenglen today. My piece on Konta’s French Reinvention: https://t.co/4R3OLwqxIJ
— Simon Briggs (@simonrbriggs) June 2, 2019
...speaking of Latvian T****** (not until...), she is *yet again* doing a good job of salvaging a disappointing singles effort with a doubles run. Today she and Lyudmyla Kichenok downed another seeded duo, this time #3 Hsieh/Strycova, to reach the QF. It's already Ostapenko's best career slam WD result.
Joining them were #2 Babos/Mladenovic, #15 Flipkens/Larsson and Duan Yingying/Zheng Saisai, the latter of which erased a 4-0 3rd set deficit vs. Kasatkina/Kontaveit (winning 6-4) to do it. A round behind all the rest, #11 Azarenka/Barty only reached the Round of 16 today. But they did so in dramatic fashion, saving three MP vs. Bencic/Kuzmova.
.@vika7 & @ashbar96 move on in the doubles at @rolandgarros after saving three match points against Bencic & Kuzmova. pic.twitter.com/BBLLHnlouM
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) June 2, 2019
...with the junior competition kicking off today, the final warm-up took place in the Grade 1 Charleroi-Marcinelle event in Belgium. It was won by Canada's Leylah Annie Fernandez, just installed as the RG girls top seed after world #1 and AO junior champ Clara Tauson withdrew. LAF defeated Pastry Carole Monnet 6-2/6-1 in the Charleroi final. In January, Fernandez lost to Tauson in both the tune-up Traralgon tournament final, as well as in the Australian Open girls championship. Last year, she was runner-up to Coco Gauff in Paris.
In girls 1st Round play in Paris, #2-seed Diane Parry, the 16-year old Pastry with the one-handed backhand who posted a MD women's win (and is still alive in WD), got a victory over Hordette Daria Frayman, 6-2/6-2.
"It's Amelie Mauresmo who taught me," said 16-year-old Diane Parry. "I'm very happy to have a one-handed backhand. I'm one of the very few players to have one." https://t.co/xIx74HkH5j pic.twitter.com/oOqnlEzz5S
— TENNIS.com (@Tennis) May 28, 2019
#16 Helene Pellicano (who moved into the seeds when Tauson pulled out, perhaps becoming the first slam seed ever from Malta) defeated Lea Ma when the Bannerette retired in the 2nd set.
Other winners included #3 Maria Camila Osorio Serrano (COL), #8 Emma Navarro (USA), and qualifiers Diana Shnaider (RUS) and Charlotte Chavatipon (USA). Chavatipon upset #12 Sada Nahimana (BDI), who just played in the Grade A Milan final last weekend. Slovak Romana Cisovska put out #14 Elli Mandlik (USA), whose mom Hana won the women's title in Paris in 1981 (and the juniors in '78).
...on the ITF circuit, 2015 RG junior champ Paula Badosa, 21, lost to Czech Tereza Martincova in the $25K Essen, GER challenger final.
In Hong Kong, after becoming the first player from Papua New Guinea to win a pro singles title ($25K Singapore) last month, 26-year old Abigail Tere-Apisah won her sixth career WD title in a $25K challenger event alongside vet Junri Namigata, 36.
...LIKE ON DAY 8: In Rinaldi She Trusts, because In Sonya Rinaldi Trusted. (See hat.)
Smiling into the 2nd week @rolandgarros ?? pic.twitter.com/dfeFKAGm47
— Sofia Kenin (@SofiaKenin) June 2, 2019
...LIKE ON DAY 8: Iga still gettin' the hang of things (less so between the lines, though)...
??THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY WISHES?? LOVE YOUUU pic.twitter.com/agJXR8SV9Z
— Iga Swiatek (@iga_swiatek) June 1, 2019
...LIKE ON DAY 8: Chris & Martina, still a gift for the ages...
So if you need help around the house Chrissie, I am your woman:)
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) June 2, 2019
...THE GREAT FUZZY BALL SCAM ON DAY 8:
I've often complained about Tennis Channel's coverage patterns. This piece by @4TheTennis on @accent_tennis explains much better than I ever could all the reasons why. ✔#RG19 https://t.co/miuCJ6RouJ
— Mert Ertunga (@MertovsTDesk) June 2, 2019
...LIKE ON DAY 8: Diede the Great (Doggo Chauffeur)...
...LIKE ON DAY 8: And preparing to head to Paris to try and complete an unprecedented Career Boxed Set (all eight slam titles)...
While a resurgent Maria Sharapova had managed to seize the spotlight in Paris during the decade's middle years, in 2015 Serena Williams once again reminded everyone that she hadn't gone anywhere, and wasn't planning on doing so anytime soon, either.
Katerina Siniakova/CZE vs. #14 Madison Keys/USA
Sonya Kenin/USA vs. #8 Ash Barty/AUS
#3 Simona Halep/ROU vs. Iga Swiatek/POL
Amanda Anisimova/USA vs. (Q) Aliona Bolsova/ESP
#7 Sloane Stephens/USA def. #19 Garbine Muguruza/ESP
#26 Johanna Konta/GBR def. #23 Donna Vekic/CRO
Marketa Vondrousova/CZE def. #12 Anastasija Sevastova/LAT
#31 Petra Martic/CRO def. Kaia Kanepi/EST
=WOMEN'S DOUBLES ROUND OF 16=
#15 Flipkens/Larsson (BEL/SWE) def. N.Kichenok/Spears (UKR/USA)
#10 Hradecka/Klepac (CZE/SLO) vs. #7 Melichar/Peschke (USA/CZE)
#4 Dabrowski/Xu Yifan (CAN/CHN) vs. (WC) Ferro/Parry (FRA/FRA)
Duan/Sai.Zheng (CHN/CHN) def. Kasatkina/Kontaveit (RUS/EST)
#6 Mertens/Sabalenka (BEL/BLR) vs. Krawczyk/Pegula (USA/USA)
L.Kichenok/Ostapenko (UKR/LAT) def. #3 Hsieh/Strycova (TPE/CZE)
#5 Stosur/Sh.Zhang (AUS/CHN) vs. #11 Azarenka/Barty (BLR/AUS)
#2 Babos/Mladenovic (HUN/FRA) def. (PR) Friedsam/Siegemund (GER/GER)
=MIXED DOUBLES QF=
#1 Melichar/Soares (USA/BRA) vs. #7 Rolsolska/Mektic (POL/CRO)
(WC) Hesse/Bonzi (FRA/FRA) vs. L.Chan/Dodig (TPE/CRO)
#6 H.Chan/Marach (TPE/AUT) vs. (Alt.) N.Kichenok/Qureshi (UKR/PAK)
#6 Sh.Zhang/Peers (CHN/AUS) vs. #2 Dabrowski/Pavic (CAN/CRO)
A fired up @vika7 on her way to a three-set doubles win in Paris pic.twitter.com/LYNDgbWrXO
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) June 2, 2019
No happy end for Team Kontakina. Dasha & Anett narrowly lost a 2 1/2hr three-set battle in Paris. pic.twitter.com/66GrP8UzvH
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) June 2, 2019
[2008]
Dinara Safina, RUS (2 MP down in 4r, 2 MP down in QF; reached final)
[2009]
Victoria Azarenka, BLR (down 7-5/4-1 in 3r, match susp./darkness; reached QF)
[2010]
Samantha Stosur, AUS (down MP in QF; reached final)
[2011]
Maria Sharapova, RUS (down 6-3/4-1 in 2r; reached SF)
[2012]
Victoria Azarenka, BLR (down 7-6/4-0 in 1r; avoided earlier #1 exit; reached 4r)
[2013]
Marion Bartoli, FRA (down break 3 times in 1st & 2 MP in 3rd in 1r; 4-1 1st & break in 2nd set in 2r)
[2014]
Svetlana Kuznetsova, RUS (down 3-1 in 3rd set, opp.served for match twice in 3r; to QF)
[2015]
Elina Svitolina, UKR (down 6-1/3-0, 4-1 in 3rd set in 2r; wins 9-7)
[2016]
Tsvetana Pironkova, BUL (down 6-2/3-0 vs. A-Rad 4r; wins 1st 10 games two days later)
[2017]
Kristina Mladenovic, FRA (1st Rd.- down 3-0 in 3rd to Brady, wins 9-7; 3rd Rd. - down 5-2 in 3rd, wins 8-6 vs. Rogers; to first RG QF)
[2018]
Yulia Putintseva, KAZ (3rd Rd.: down 6-1/4-1 & 2 MP, 3-0 in 3rd, vs. Wang Qiang; to second career slam QF)
[2019]
Anna Blinkova, RUS (four con. Q/MD matches down set and break, or by a break in 3rd)
*2019 TOP JUNIOR EVENT CHAMPIONS*
TRARALGON AUS G1: Clara Tauson/DEN
COFFEE BOWL BRA G1: Abigail Forbes/USA
RPM JUNIOR OPEN CZE G1: Kristyna Lavickova/CZE
AUSTRALIAN OPEN JUNIORS: Clara Tauson/DEN
COPA BARRANQUILLA COL G1: Savannah Broadus/USA
MUNDIAL JUVENIL DE TENIS ECU G1: Abigail Forbes/USA
ASUNCION BOWL PAR G1: Charlotte Chavatipon/USA
BANANA BOWL BRA G1: Diane Parry/FRA
PORTO ALEGRE BRA G1: Ane Mintegi Del Olmo/ESP
YELTSIN CUP RUS G1: Anna Charaeva/RUS
NONTHABURI, THA G1: Bai Zhuoxuan/CHN
CASABLANCA MAR G1: Selena Janicijevic/FRA
SARAWAK MINISTER'S CUP MAL G1: Joanna Garland/TPE
VILLENA JUAN CARLOS FERRERO ESP G1: Alexandra Vecic/GER
INT'L SPRING CHAMPIONSHIPS USA G1: Hurricane Tyra Black/USA
PERIN MEMORIAL CRO G1: Daria Frayman/RUS
BEAULIEU-SUR-MER FRA G1: Elsa Jacquemot/FRA
SANTA CROCE ITA G1: Diana Shnaider/RUS
MILAN ITA GA: Alexa Noel/USA
CHARLEROI-MARCINELLE BEL G1: Leylah Annie Fernandez/CAN
TOP EARLY-ROUND (1r-2r): #2 Karolina Pliskova/CZE
TOP MIDDLE-ROUND (3r-QF): xx
TOP LATE-ROUND (SF-F): xx
TOP QUALIFYING MATCH: Q3: #1q Bernarda Pera/USA def. #21q Kaja Juvan/SLO 6-4/1-6/7-6(1) [Juvan up break three times in 3rd, served at 5-4]
TOP EARLY-RD. MATCH (1r-2r): 2nd Rd. - #1 Naomi Osaka/JPN def. Victoria Azarenka/BLR 4-6/7-5/6-3 (down 6-4/4-2, BP for 5-2)
TOP MIDDLE-RD. MATCH (3r-QF): xx
TOP LATE-RD. MATCH (SF-F/Jr.): xx
=============================
FIRST VICTORY: #31 Petra Martic/CRO (def. Jabeur/TUN)
FIRST SEED OUT: #5 Angelique Kerber/GER (1st Rd./Potapova)
UPSET QUEENS: Russia
REVELATION LADIES: Russia
NATION OF POOR SOULS: Italy (0-2, none in RG 2nd Round for first time since 1982)
LAST QUALIFIER STANDING: Aliona Bolsova/ESP (in 4th Rd.)
LAST WILD CARD STANDING: Lauren Davis/USA, Priscilla Hon/AUS, Diane Parry/FRA (all 2nd Rd.)
LAST PASTRY STANDING: Carolina Garcia, Krisinta Mladenovic & Diane Parry (all 2nd Rd.)
MADEMOISELLE/MADAM OPPORTUNITY: Nominees: Martic, Konta, Barty
IT "??": Nominees: Teens (Swiatek, Anisimova, Vondrousova), Czech Maidens (Siniakova, Vondrousova), Kenin, (de Groot?)
COMEBACK PLAYER: Nominees: Konta, Azarenka (WS/WD)
CRASH & BURN: Alona Ostapenko, LAT (1st Rd.; zero RG wins before/after '17 title)
ZOMBIE QUEEN OF PARIS: Anna Blinkova/RUS (Q2: trailed 6-3/3-1 vs. Kalinina; Q3: trailed Glushko 3-0 in 3rd; 1st Rd.: trailed Gaspayarn 4-0 in 3rd; 2nd Rd.: trailed Garcia 3-0 in 3rd)
DOUBLES STAR: xx
VETERAN PLAYER (KIMIKO CUP): xx
JUNIOR BREAKOUT: Nominee: Parry (young MD winner since '09)
Légion de Lenglen HONOREE: Court Simonne-Mathieu
Coupe LA PETIT TAUREAU: Simona Halep/ROU (awarded on LPT Day/June 1, Henin's birthday)
