Serena Williams recovered from another slow start to book her place in the last eight of Roland Garros. Serena was teetering on the edge at 1-6 4-5 down to Sloane Stephens. There was a lot of gasping at my computer screen as I watched the live scores unfold. After her tussle with Victoria Azarenka, I expected a much easier match but by the sounds of it, Sloane came out to play. Serena survived though, winning through, 1-6 7-5 6-3. The world number one will take on Sara Errani in the quarter-finals as the Italian player prevailed over Julia Goerges in the fourth round, 6-2 6-2. Errani hit just five winners to three unforced errors, while Goerges amassed a whopping 45 unforced errors.
Serena and Sara last played in Fed Cup action where Errani was on the brink of a famous win. Sara served for the match but Serena won in the end, 4-6 7-6(4) 6-3. This was only the second set Sara had won against Serena. The head-to-head stands at 8-0 (including the Fed Cup match) with Serena racking up three bagel sets and three breadstick sets along the way. In their last match at the French Open, Serena won 6-0 6-1 in the 2013 semi-finals. It’s always a tough match-up for Sara and I don’t think the belief is there. I’d love to see her come out and give it a real good go. In all seriousness, I hope Sara does fight because I want to see Rafa-Nole tomorrow and the longer this quarter-final goes, the more chance I have of watching it!
Prediction: S.Williams d. Errani in 2 sets
ATP RG QF Predictions
Novak Djokovic d. Rafael Nadal in 4 sets: The match we’ve been waiting for… Djokovic hasn’t been great this tournament but he’s done all he needed to do to get to this round. Rafa had looked imperious although did struggle to put away Jack Sock, needing four sets after failing to serve out the match in the third set. I remain curious as to whether Djokovic will feel the pressure. Even if he wins this match, he will still have a lot of work to do to win RG. I’m sticking with Nole for this one.
Andy Murray d. David Ferrer in 4 sets: Ferrer was two sets to one down to Simone Bolelli in the third round but has since, danced through, winning five straight sets. Murray was tested by Jeremy Chardy in the fourth round but won in four sets. Ferrer poses a real threat and won their only previous match at Roland Garros in 2012 in four sets. Not much rationale to this one but i’m going Murray.
Moo's Tennis Blog 
Hope you watched the match against Garbine. Was some amazing rallies and ill be the first to admit and say well done,you have come a long way on the big points. .. especially in those tricky conditions.
Will be interesting to see how she goes against Ana. C’mon Ivanovic.
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Yes, i’ve caught up with most of it but need to watch the first set in full!
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We’re the opposite. I want the Serena/Errani match done asap to have any chance of seeing Nadal/Djokovic.
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I’m the same, I’m beginning to get delirious with sleep deprivation.
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I will go with Nadal and Ferrer for the win.
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Please jade don’t give me shivers in this chilling heat here in Mumbai…..Already placed my wager on Nole and the Scot…Don’t you think they deserve it more seeing there current form and performances
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Djokovic shud get it done. Murrays got a horrible record against ferrer on clay. I initially thought Murray. Now I think I’ll stay away from it. Wawrinka beat fed in straight, anything is possible
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I agree with Djokovic and Ferrer. I’ve watched Murray this week (*yawn*) and he hasn’t been really any better than he was last year. Ferrer on the other hand has been outstanding, despite one blip a few days ago. Only Nadal and Monfils have beaten Ferrer here in the past five years. I don’t see Murray doing it.
I’m shocked so many seem to be favouring Nadal. He’s had spells in all his matches thus far where he’s played full of doubt his opponents have been too inexperienced to capatalise. Djokovic has done just enough so that he feels confident on all wings but not remotely fatigued. More importantly he’s playing more aggressively than he ever has before and because he’s SO confident, everything is working and finding the line.
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Ferrer will feel the heat of Murray’s return.
Nole beats Nadal and Murray beats Ferrer
Wawrinka beats Tsonga and Nole beats Murray
and Nole lifts her beating Stan
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Right now (that could all change in a few hours!), this is how I see it going as well.
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I think Djokovic gets it done in 4, it might get to 5 but Nole gets through. I’ll pick Ferrer in the other match up, which I think is definitely going the distance.
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It’s Nadal’s birthday today….that should count for something, no? This is actually the ‘final’ of Roland Garros for either player.
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