Well, maybe not. But among those players left, there could still be some interesting matchups. Our experts weigh in.
Iga Swiatek came into the French Open as the favorite — and so far, she has looked dominant. While Saturday’s match over Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic did not go perfectly, Swiatek still easily advanced to the fourth round with a 6-3, 7-5 victory to win her 31st match in a row. And while Swiatek likely didn’t need any help, she has gotten it: She is the only top-10 player left in the draw. With the early exits of defending champion Barbora Krejcikova and former champs Garbine Muguruza and Simona Halep, as well as top-10 players Paula Badosa, Ons Jabeur, Anett Kontaveit and Maria Sakkari, many of those who might have made it tougher for her are already out. Of the players remaining, who could potentially give Swiatek the biggest challenge? Our experts gave their picks. Pam Shriver: Swiatek’s biggest danger is to lose before the finals to an opponent she is not familiar with, who can play first strike tennis well from first point to last. Chinese star Zheng Qinwen, who beat former Roland Garros champion Halep in the second round, has the power and momentum to pull off the big upset. Zheng has never played Swiatek, therefore there is no scar tissue. The locker room would have noticed Swiatek’s erratic play in the second set versus Kovinic. While Swiatek is the overwhelming favorite to win her second Roland Garros, we know in sports there is never an automatic. Cliff Drysdale: Leylah Fernandez. She has the fearlessness of youth and a Nadal-like focus.
