Alcaraz, Federer, Swiatek: 5 reasons to follow the day of Roland-Garros this Saturday

Roger Federer facing a left-hander

Landed in Paris without a landmark and, by his own admission, without any specific ambition, Roger Federer is in the round of 16. It is his turn to evolve in a night session, without an audience, against Dominik Koepfer. The 27-year-old left-hander, 57th in the world, believes in his chances: “I have never played against him. I never trained against him. I'm confident and think I can give him a hard time. I already played against Djokovic, the match was close. It takes the anxiety away a bit. It's a great time to play against one of these great players. ” It must be said that the German should offer Switzerland a very different match, than against Cilic, dominated by the former world number one: “He's a left-hander. It will not be the same, he will undoubtedly make fewer faults than Marin, there will perhaps be more exchanges too.I am not on the reserve. I still have energy and that is super important for confidence. ” Eternal Federer.

Carlos Alcaraz, the phenomenon

Like a hurricane. The 18-year-old nugget from qualifying won Nikoloz Basilashvili in the second round. He had become the youngest Spaniard to win a match at Roland Garros in the Open era. The youngest since a certain Novak Djokovic in 2005. Sleeveless t-shirt, and “biscotos” well forward, he inevitably brings to mind his prestigious elder Rafael Nadal, who wore a similar look during these early years at Porte d'Auteuil . We wish him so much success ... "When Rafa won his first match here (in 2005, at almost 19), he ended up winning the tournament, so I can't compare myself with him, it's impossible ", did he declare. His game, moreover, does not resemble that of the Mallorcan. More offensive than the Nadal of the first years, Alcaraz,the right-hander distributes these forehand slaps and could still have some problems on the court Simonne Mathieu to the German Jan-Lennard Struff (42nd). A golden opportunity to grow again for the 97th world.

Norrie for an unlikely feat

The Briton Cameron Norrie, author of a very good season on earth, challenges the surface master this Saturday, left-handed like him. He believes in it a little, a lot. Yet the stats do not plead in his favor. At Barcelona in the quarterfinals this year, Nadal had won in two sets 6-1, 6-4. In Australia, the Mallorcan won in three sets in the second round. Norrie still wants to believe it: “It's a golden opportunity to try to beat Nadal. Of course, I will be the underdog, so the pressure will not be on my shoulders. I will try to disturb him as much as possible, but it will be a great experience to play against him. What's good is that I played against him in Barcelona on clay so I know his game. I know what he likes to do, I know his tendencies towards serving and raising.So I know that what awaits me, it will be far from easy ”Indeed…

Two 100% US shocks in the women's table

American danger at Roland Garros! There will even be at least three representatives of the star-spangled banner in the round of 16 since three 100% American duels were expected in the third round: Serena Williams - Danielle Collins; Cori Gauff - Jennifer Brady; Sofia Kenin - Jessica Pegula. Serena won on Friday. At 17, Cori Gauff has now managed to reach the third round in all Grand Slam tournaments. The American, without complex, faces the seed number 13, her compatriot Jennifer Brady. Sofia Kenin, seeded 4, passed the second round without trembling, victorious over her young compatriot Hailey Baptiste (7-5, 6-3). By winning in the first round, the winner of the 2020 Australian Open ended a four-game losing streak on clay. Facing Jessica Pegula (N.28),the finalist of the 2020 edition will try to confirm that she is comfortable at Porte d'Auteuil.

Iga Swiatek, full speed ahead

It's a mind-boggling statistic.

In her last 9 games played at Porte d'Auteuil, the Polish only conceded 35 games, an average of 3.8 games conceded per game.

The 9th in the world made short work of Rebecca Perterson in the second round 6–1, 6–1 in 1 hour of play. More favorite than ever to his own succession, especially as Ashleigh Barty is already no longer in contention.

The Australian having dropped out due to a hip injury.

“I don't pay attention to the seeds that fall.

We saw that a lot of players, without a lot of experience, could win a Grand Slam.

It was my case.

We'll see, I'll just focus on the next game. ”

The Polish keep a low profile but Estonian Anett Kontaveit, who ridiculed Kristina Mladenovic in the second round, is warned.

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• Men's results

• Ladies results