Event of the Day: French Open
Our event of the day is the French Open at Stade Roland Garros in Paris. The quarterfinals of the competition begin today with a number of exciting matches. Roger Federer faces Stan Wawrinka in an all-Swiss clash while Kei Nishikori faces the challenge of Rafael Nadal. In the women’s tournament, Sloane Stephens plays Johanna Konta and Markéta Vondroušová goes head-to-head with Petra Martić. Expect plenty of exciting, unmissable tennis. The quarterfinals begin with a number of thrilling matches. In the men’s draw, 3rd seed Roger Federer continues the hunt for only the second French Open title of his career against fellow Swiss and 24th seed Stan Wawrinka. Federer is yet to lose a set at Roland Garros as he breezed through matches against Lorenzo Sonego, Oscar Otte, Casper Ruud and Leonardo Mayer. While still formidable and one of the world’s best at 37, Federer has had the benefit of one of the tournament’s easier draws. While Federer has two titles this season, he failed to defend his title at the Australian Open, making a deep run here in Paris all the more important.
Meanwhile, his opponent has had more of an uphill battle. Wawrinka began his run with a four-set victory over Jozef Kovalik. That was followed by straight-set victories over Cristian Garín and Grigor Dimitrov before Wawrinka came up against 6th seed Stefanos Tsitisipas. The two engaged in a tense, back-and-forth five-set battle but Wawrinka won out over the rising Greek star to make his first quarter-final since his 2017 title run. In the other men’s quarter-final, Kei Nishikori plays Rafael Nadal. Nishikori appears in his third French Open quarter-final. He has played in some tough matches, only winning one match in straight sets. Nadal, for his part, is playing great tennis and looks set to challenge for a third straight title. He has dropped one set all tournament and has won ten of the twelve matches he has played against Nishikori. In the women’s draw, 7th seed 2018 runner-up Sloane Stephens faces 26th seed Johanna Konta. Stephens, who is without a title since March 2018, has won three of her four matches in straight sets as she has enjoyed a fairly easy tournament run. Meanwhile, Konta is yet to lose a set in the tournament in the best French Open of her career. However, Stephens, who is playing some of the best tennis of her career, will be a true test for the Brit. In the day’s other ladies’ match, Markéta Vondroušová makes her first Grand Slam quarter-final after an amazing straight-set tournament run including two wins over seeded opponents. Her opponent Petra Martić is also appearing in her first career quarter-final. Petra Martić won her first two matches in straight sets before coming up against 2nd seed Karolína Plíšková. It didn’t appear to faze the 28-year-old Croatian who beat the 2017 semi-finalist in straight sets. A three-set victory over Kaia Kanepi brought Martić to today’s quarter-final. Be sure you don’t miss today’s thrilling matches.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Cricket World Cup. Afghanistan face Sri Lanka at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. Afghanistan made a decent start by giving Australia a light test in their first match. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka looked lacklustre as they were held to 136 runs by New Zealand. They will be eager to bounce back against Afghanistan as they search for a win. Be sure you don’t miss what is sure to be a tense match. In the WNBA, the New York Liberty host the Los Angeles Sparks at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. The Super Final of the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League begins at the Danube Arena in Budapest. In the MLB, the Cleveland Indians host the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field for the first game in their three-game series. In college softball, it’s Game 2 of the final of the Women’s College World Series between 1st seed Oklahoma and 2nd seed UCLA at OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City. In the World Surfing League, the Margaret River Pro continues in Margaret River, Western Australia.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Roland Garros