Quarter-finals day on Tuesday ended with a late night thriller on Suzanne Lenglen court between Marketa Vondrousova and Petra Martic. There’s a detailed review of that match in this post, as well as coverage of the first quarter-final between Sloane Stephens and Johanna Konta. Read on for highlights of day 10 at the 2019 French Open.

Match reviews 🎾

Johanna Konta d. Sloane Stephens, 6-1 6-4

Johanna Konta produced a superb serving display to extend her head-to-head record to 3-0 against Sloane Stephens and advance to her third Slam semi-final. The Brit has now made Slam semis on three different surfaces. This was a relentless display from Konta. She was so strong behind her serve, dropping just one point behind it in the second set! Stephens kept holding and putting the pressure back on Konta. The Brit didn’t wobble at all, serving out the match to 15.

As well as solid hitting, Konta threw in some variety with the slices, loopier balls and drop shots, which has become a feature of her game this year. Stephens was a tad flat early on but this result was definitely more about Konta playing a great match.

Marketa Vondrousova d. Petra Martic, 7-6(1) 7-5

In the most exciting women’s match for a few days, Marketa Vondrousova snapped a four match losing streak against Petra Martic to advance to her first Slam semi-final.

There were many ups and downs in this match 🎢. Vondrousova was bold and gutsy on the big points in the opening set. Vondrousova saved three set points at *5-6 *0-40 which was obviously huge. However, I was just as impressed with the game Vondrousova played at *4-5. Vondrousova didn’t make a first serve but was gutsy as hell on the second serve, finding the lines with a couple of them, and not allowing Martic to attack. A key stat in the first set was that Vondrousova won a higher percentage of points behind her second serve compared to the first serve.

Down three set points, Vondrousova produce five straight winners and then soared through the ensuing tiebreak. In fact, Vondrousova won 24 of 26 points as Martic tightened with some questionable decision making at the start of the second set. The Croatian played looked to come forward to the net but Vondrousova passed and lobbed with supreme accuracy.

Vondrousova led 7-6 5-2 but there was another chapter to this story as Martic hung in valiantly. The game at 5-3 had so much drama! There was a 32 shot rally, a point replayed when Vondrousova’s visor fell off mid-point and a missed match point from Vondrousova with two serves into the bottom of the net. The Czech player became increasingly passive but went into lockdown mode. Martic played some beautiful, aggressive points where she dictated with the forehand. However, she was still vulnerable off the backhand wing and made some tactical errors in the key moments, opting for the drop shot on Vondrousova’s fourth match point which was unsuccessful.

A thoroughly entertaining watch and a great exchange between the pair at the net. Credit to Vondrousova for holding her nerve to eventually see off Martic. Obviously disappointing for Martic but what a run on clay this year and she finally got that first Slam quarter-final 🙂.

Handshakes and hugs 🤗

This was a lovely moment at the net after such a hard-fought match.

Super snap 📸

Like this shot of Vondrousova by Jimmie48 after her successful match point.

Press highlights 📰

Stephens gave all the credit to Konta in press via WTA Insider. A snippet of the press conference can be found here.

Recommended media 📺

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Tomorrow’s OOP ⭐

Wednesday’s quarter-finals features two players, Simona Halep and Madison Keys, trying to reach back-to-back semi-finals in Paris. Who you got?

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