Djokovic Keeps the Streak Alive at French Open and Monfils defeats Ferrer

The anticipation was high at the 2011 French Open for the third round clash between the number two seed Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro, 2009 U.S. champion. With little daylight left, the match was suspended until Saturday with the score tied at a set apiece. However, Djokovic came out firing the next day. putting del Potro away quickly and earning a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, victory. Mardy Fish, the lone American male left in the singles draw, was beaten by France’s Gilles Simon, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Other notable names advancing were Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Robin Soderling, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka and Li Na, all in straight sets.

Sunday’s action saw defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy advance; along with 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, both winning in three sets. The number three seed, Vera Zvonareva of Russia, was upset by her fellow countrywoman Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-2. Roger Federer was able to defeat his fellow countryman Stanislas Wawrinka in straight sets, while Novak Djokovic kept on streaking with a straight set win over France’s Richard Gasquet.

We were treated to an entertaining Memorial Day match on Monday between France’s Gael Monfils and David Ferrer of Spain. This back and forth battle saw epic some shots from both competitors, while Monfils seemed to have the slight advantage with the hometown crowd by his side during each point. The 24-year-old Frenchman was able to outlast Ferrer in the fifth set, winning the match, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 1-6, 8-6. Monfils will now do battle with Switzerland’s Roger Federer in the quarterfinals.

Also advancing on Monday on the men’s side were the number one seed Rafael Nadal and Robin Soderling in straight sets. Nadal and Soderling will now meet in the quarterfinals, making this the third consecutive year they will battle at the French Open. It was Soderling who was the victor two years ago as he shocked the world when he took out Nadal in four sets, but Nadal got his revenge last year in the finals where he defeated the big server from Sweden for his fifth French Open title.

Maria Sharapova of Russia and Li Na of China were able to move through to the next round on the women’s side. For Sharapova, it is her first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance in two years. As for Li Na, this marks her first quarterfinal at Roland Garros ever.

Through Tuesday’s action thus far, defending champion Francesca Schiavone was able to rally and defeat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, 1-6, 7-5, 7-5. The Italian will now battle in the semifinals against the winner of the match between France’s Marion Bartoli and Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova. Andy Murray of Great Britain was able to rally from two sets to none against Viktor Troicki of Serbia, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5, setting up a possible semifinal showdown with Rafael Nadal.