The GIST: Bolstered by renewed rivalries, but marred by gut-wrenching injuries, the Roland-Garros semifinals are nearly set, and there’s guaranteed to be a new champion in men’s singles. Serve’s up.
Men’s: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic withdrew from the French Open yesterday after tearing his meniscus in a brutal five-set fourth-round win. Not only will the forfeit cost the Joker his No. 1 world ranking as of next week, but this will also be the first French Open quarter-final (QF) without the Big Three — Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer — since 2004.
Djokovic’s would-be QF opponent, No. 7 Casper Ruud, advanced straight to Friday’s semis, where he’ll meet the winner of today’s 2:15 p.m. ET match between No. 4 Alexander Zverev and unexpected clay lover No. 11 Alex De Minaur. Meanwhile, the other Friday semi is already confirmed: a heavyweight battle between No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz vs. No. 2 Jannik Sinner, who will ascend to No. 1 following Djokovic’s withdrawal and his Australian Open win earlier this year. The kids are indeed alright.
Women’s: American phenom No. 3 Coco Gauff is through to her third straight Grand Slam semis after a comeback victory over No. 8 Ons Jabeur in yesterday’s QFs. Her opponent? Defending Roland-Garros champion and world No. 1 Iga Świątek, who’s dropped only one set all tourney.
Gauff and Świątek have met 11 times, with Świątek winning 10 of those matches, including their most recent showdown at the Italian Open last month. Will Coco pull off the upset or will Świątek keep on rolling?But before two of the game’s best meet in the semis tomorrow, there are two spicy QFs happening this morning, highlighted by dominant No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka vs. 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva at 9:30 a.m. ET. Love to see it.
