The Serbians Set Up a Semi-Final Clash, Rest of Quarter-Finals Set!

June 3rd, 2008

Paris, France

Half of the women's Quarter-Finals were being played today, with heavy favorites, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic in action. Also the rest of the women's Round of 16's were being finished to finally set up all of the Quarter-Final matches. In my opinion after today's action, there are only 4 women who have a chance to win this title, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic and Elena Dementieva. I'm giving Dementieva the edge over Safina, just because I think Dementieva can be a bit mentally tougher. I may get a surprise though!

First up was Ana Ivanovic taking on the tricky Patty Schnyder, the only thing was, Schnyder wasn't tricky in this match at all, or wasn't being allowed to be. Ivanovic dictated most of the play, with her heavy and powerful groundstrokes. It was no surprise that Ivanovic was the aggressor and that he won, but it was a surprise by how she won, the scoreline. Ana Ivanovic defeated Patty Schnyed, 6-3, 6-2. Ivanovic now has moved into the Semi-Finals of Roland Garros again, and has been in the Semi-Finals of 4 out of the last 5 slams.

Like monkey see, monkey do. Jelena Jankovic took the court later on in the day against qualifier, Carla Suarez Navarro and once again, it was no surprise that Jankovic walked off the victor. With a similar scoreline to Ivanovic, Jankovic used her power and her speed, as well as defensive skills to defeat the qualifier and move on to the Semi-Finals after posting a 6-3, 6-2 victory. This now puts the two Serbians against each other with a lot at stake in the Semi-Finals. Whoever wins, will more than likely be the favorite in the Finals.

The rest of the women's Round of 16's had to be completed, and they were with Svetlana Kuznetsova defeating Victoria Azarenka, 6-2, 6-3. Finally in the last Round of 16 match to be completed, surprise Quarter-Finalist, Kaia Kanepi defeated Petra Kvitova, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

Tomorrow the rest of the Quarter-Finals will be played as we move closer to Championship Saturday in Paris.

Results:

Court Philippe-Chatrier

(2)Ana Ivanovic d. (10)Patty Schnyder - 6-3, 6-2

Court Suzanne Lenglen

(3)Jelena Jankovic d. Carla Suarez Navarro - 6-3, 6-2

Court 1

(4)Svetlana Kuznetsova d. (16)Victoria Azarenka - 6-2, 6-3

Court 6

Kaia Kanepi d. Petra Kvitova - 6-3, 3-6. 6-1

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Maria Sharapova - Lost in Round of 16 (Safina)

2. Ana Ivanovic - Semi-Finals

3. Jelena Jankovic - Semi-Finals

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Quarter-Finals

5. Serena Williams - Lost in Round 3 (Srebotnik)

6. Anna Chakvetadze - Lost in Round 2 (Kanepi)

7. Elena Dementieva - Quarter-Finals

8. Venus Williams - Lost in Round 3 (Pennetta)

9. Marion Bartoli - Lost in Round 1 (Dellacqua)

10. Patty Schnyder - Lost in Quarter-Finals (Ivanovic)