Binoculars On - Feature matches on Day 9 at the French Open

Stephens has been playing solid and her 3 set win over in the previous round should give her some confidence. At the Australian Open, she went on to upset Serena and that was a major result for the youngster. So, she knows that she can get it done at this level.

Crucial to Sharapova’s game will be how well she serves; if she gets it right, that would be 90% of the job done as then her game can develop around it. Sharapova has gotten better at clay over the years from the “like a cow on ice” analogy that she used to describe herself on the surface. Stephens will be keen to ask a few questions and Sharapova isn’t the greatest mover and as such will come up with fewer defensive plays.

Unforced errors and service points will be the keys to the game for both players – this one could go either way.

[Expected start: 8.30 pm IST]

(3) Victoria Azarenka vs Francesca Schiavone [Head-to-head: Azarenka leads 2-1]

[Last meeting: US Open 2009 (Hard), R32, Schiavone won 4-6 6-2 6-2]

On paper, this should be an easy win for Azarenka – Schiavone is ranked 50th, she is ranked 3rd; Schiavone is 11-12 this year, whereas she is 22-2. This is a match of many gulfs, not least of which is the 9 year difference in age between the 2 competitors – Azarenka is 23, Schiavone 32. ‘Vika’ in her relatively short career has already won 10 more titles than the Italian; she has 16 career titles.

The Milanese battler though has won this Grand Slam before and Victoria hasn’t. Clay is one of Schiavone’s most favoured surfaces and it was no surprise when her maiden Slam success came here in 2010. This week she has looked extremely good, the level of her tennis has been championship calibre. She was taken to 3 sets in her 2nd round match by Kirsten Flipkens, but otherwise she has had a comfortable run so far. She really turned it on in her previous match against Marion Bartoli. The way she was hitting the winners and more importantly the manner in which she constructed her points so well, was a startling feature of her play. She is coming into this match with a lot of confidence.

The same cannot be said of the World No.3. Holding serve has been a struggle for Azarenka all week and she hasn’t looked at her sharpest. She was a little fortunate in her previous round match with Alize Cornet, the Frenchwoman failed to make the most of her opportunities. Playing Schiavone will be a huge level up for Azarenka and she will have to cut out the cheap points that she has been conceding to opponents.

Both of Azarenka’s wins over Schiavone have come on clay including one at this very tournament in the Round of 32 way back in 2008. Schiavone has a lot of variety to her game and that’s something Azarenka will have to contend with. The Italian is a dogged fighter who will not give up on points easily and her movement is one of the best. Azarenka to her credit is the best defender on the women’s circuit and is really good at turning defence into attack. She will have to keep a watch on her serve though which has been a moot point this week.

It’s a clash that promises to be a feisty affair and one with a potential for an upset.

[Expected start: 2.30 pm IST]