Fierce quartet emerges as French Open contenders

A new women's champion will be crowned, while familiar faces are

Published Jun 05, 2017

Four stars have rolled into the French Open quarterfinals without dropping a set. All of them are legitimate contenders with eyes on the prize. Two of them have never clutched the trophy, while the other two could be repeat victors.

Stan Wawrinka

.@stanwawrinka : "I'm No. 3 in the world. I won three Grand Slams last three years. I know what my level is, I know what I can do."#RG17 pic.twitter.com/PxeIGguVFP
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2017

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It's possible that Wawrinka has quietly placed himself as the No. 2 contender for the title. The Swiss has a history of getting stronger the longer the tournament carries on. It has not been an easy sweep of four matches with one tiebreak set in each round, but he hasn't lost a set.

Dominic Thiem

Thiem easily beats Zeballos 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 to reach back to back Roland Garros QFs. Also his only two Grand Slam QFs.

Yet to drop a set. pic.twitter.com/yIkcmkYxP2
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 4, 2017

The Austrian already has six career clay-court titles in his young career including a semifinal run at the 2016 French Open. This year he has been even more dominant with a 74-30 margin of games over his first four opponents. In the quarters, he'll look to turn the tables on Djokovic, who blasted him 6-1, 6-0 in the Rome semifinals last month.

Simona Halep

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Simona Halep advances to #RG17 QFs without dropping a set!

Outclasses Suarez Navarro 6-1, 6-1. Has won 14 of her last 15 matches on clay. pic.twitter.com/iDIBR6DufC
— Grigor. (@Scores_WTA) June 5, 2017

Halep had to prove that she could continue this spring’s clay-court dominance after suffering a partially torn ankle ligament in Rome. She’s waltzed her way into the quarterfinals by winning all eight sets she has played. She took out Carla Suarez Navarro on Monday by dropping just two games. The short time spent on court will help her in the long run.

Rafael Nadal

Nadal has won 72 of 92 games (78.3%) in this tournament. Only once has he had a more dominant run into QF of a Major (RG 2012, 79.1%) #RG17
— Gracenote Olympic (@GracenoteGold) June 4, 2017

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Expecting someone else? This tournament has been a dominant run for the King of Clay even measured against his esteemed past. It's not just that Nadal hasn't lost a set, he's dished out five breadsticks and two bagels, and no set has been closer than 6-4.

How long will their great play continue? All four can’t keep dominating as the competition gets fiercer and the stakes get ever higher.

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