Local hero Gael Monfils tries to take down Roger Federer

Previews of today’s four French Open quarter-final matches

Usually it’s the women’s tournament that produces the biggest upsets but yesterday two more male favourites were sent packing as Robin Soderling and Fernando Gonzalez took care of Nikolay Davydenko and Andy Murray. The man hoping to make the year of the underdog continue today is Gael Monfils, the last remaining Frenchman in the tournament, who meets favourite Roger Federer, who knocked him out 12 months ago:

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Sorana Cirstea v Samantha Stosur
The Grand Slam quarter-final stage is unfamiliar territory for both of these women, neither of whom are in the top 30 of the world rankings. There’s not much to go on as the pair have never clashed before but Cirstea has only dropped one set so far compared to Stosur’s two. Both have taken high-profile scalps, with the 19-year-old Romanian stopping Jelena Jankovic, who reached the semi-finals in 2007 and 2008, and Australian Stosur getting rid of former finalist Elena Dementieva. Stosur is the favourite here.

Svetlana Kuznetsova v Serena Williams
Serena/Safina is the final that most expect but Kuznetsova won’t roll over for the self-proclaimed world number one. In the last three years, the Russian has reached the final, quarter-finals and semi-finals at Roland Garros, whereas Williams last got past this point in 2003. In fact, four of Serena’s last

Posted: June 3rd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

The Williams sisters are favourites but Serena looks the more likely winner

Here are the contenders to Maria Sharapova’s relinquished crown

chickendinner’s Danny Harris has run the rule over all of the leading challengers for this year’s Australian Open. Reigning champion Maria Sharapova won’t be there to defend her title and Serena Williams looks likely to be the one to take advantage:

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Jelena Jankovic (1)
Despite being ranked top in the world, Jankovic has never won a Grand Slam and her only final appearance in one was at last year’s US Open. Jankovic has lost to second ranked Serena Williams in both finals she has played her in. A Serbian has never won the women’s tournament.

Serena Williams (2)
The Williams sisters have beaten each other nine times each although Serena has six final wins over her sister compared to three by Venus. Serena has won the Australian Open every other year for the last six years and last won it in 2007 which dictates that she is due another win this year. Serena has nine Grand Slam wins with five coming against her sister.

Dinara Safina (3)

Posted: January 17th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment