Saturday, June 11, 2011

French Open 2011: What to watch on Day 9 from Roland Garros

Busted Racquet previews Monday's action at the French Open.

- For the first time in the Open era, all three top seeds lost before the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam, opening the door for Maria Sharapova to complete her career Slam at Roland Garros. Her road is no cakewalk though. The Russian plays the hard-hitting Agnieszka Radwanska in Monday's fourth round.

- Monday's match of the day was one of Sunday's best. Frenchman Gael Monfils took two of the first three sets from David Ferrer before darkness fell over Paris, forcing the top-10 seeds to resume their match second on Court Suzanne Lenglen on Monday. A spot in the quarterfinals is on the line.

- Robin Soderling's recent dominance in Paris will be tested by a hometown favorite when he faces off against Gilles Simon. Soderling, of course, has played in the last two French Open finals. Last year, he lost to Rafael Nadal, one year after sending Rafa to his first-ever loss at Roland Garros. If both Soderling and Nadal win on Monday, they'll play in a blockbuster Wednesday quarterfinal.

- Compared to other Monday matches, Li Na vs. Petra Kvitova will fly under the radar. Our bet is that one of the French Open finalists comes out of this match. After her post-Australian Open swoon, the Chinese superstar has played steadier tennis and has been a model of efficiency so far in Paris. Kvitova, our pre-tournament pick to hoist the trophy on Court Philippe Chatrier next Saturday, has been equally so, combining power with an efficient serve and the match-closing ability so many on the women's tour lack.

Jill Arrington Tami Donaldson Padma Lakshmi Sarah Mutch Gabrielle Union

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