The French Open 2017 tournament is all set to step into championship week as the remaining fourth-round matches will be played today. It promises to be yet another day of big exits, with Murray facing Karen Khachanov, Kei Nishikori taking on Fernando Verdasco, Stan Wawrinka up against home favourite Gael Monfils, and Kevin Anderson against the in-form Marin Cilic on the men’s side of the draw.
World No.1 Murray will look forward to keep up his regained form, as he meets Khachanov, currently ranked 53rd. Khachanov eliminated 13th seed Tomas Berdych in round two before beating big-serving John Isner, seeded 21st, in four sets. Murray will hope to book a quarter-finals berth with a win today, something that could do wonders for his confidence level.
Following them on to Court Philippe Chatrier are third-seeded Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland and No. 15 Gael Monfils. The Frenchman has waited a long time to get his own back on Wawrinka - six years, in fact. Wawrinka, the 2015 French Open champion, won the last of their four career meetings six years ago, beating Monfils in straight sets in the third round of the Australian Open.
After the shocks on Day 8 at the women’s end which saw the exit of defending champion Garbine Muguruza and former champion Venus Williams, the draw is left with 12 players, none of whom have won a Grand Slam title before.
Current favourites Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina will both be in action today. World No. 3 Halep will face No. 21 Carla Suarez Navarro for the 12th time. Halep leads her 6-5 but has never beaten the Spaniard on clay, losing four times including in the first round at Roland Garros in 2013.
Here’s the schedule for today:
Women’s:
Suarez Navarro v Halep – 2:30 p.m
Svitolina v Martic – 2:30 p.m
Cepede Royg v Pliskova – 6: 45 p.m
Garcia v Cornet – 6: 45 p.m
Men’s:
Murray v Khachanov – 3: 45 p.m
Verdasco v Nishikori – 3: 45 p.m
Wawrinka v Monfils – 5: 15 p.m
Anderson v Cilic – 5: 15 p.m
