French Open 2013: Ladies quarter-finals Preview

Maria Kirilenko (12) v Victoria Azarenka (3) (Head-to-head: Azarenka leads 3-2)

Victoria Azarenka, the World No. 3 and the reigning Australian Open champion doesn’t have an illustrious record on clay. The dirt is her worst surface and the French Open remains the only Slam where she has failed to make it past the quarter-finals. But the Belarusian has said she is improving and she definitely means it. In her last match she has certainly proved to be a determined young contender for the title. The opponent was a tough hurdle – 2010 champion Francesca Schiavone, but the way Vika consistently hit her angular forehands with depth, it surely sent a message to her rivals. She even tried to finish points swiftly at the net as and when required, which was refreshing to see.

All that might come handy against her next opponent – her erstwhile doubles partner Maria Kirilenko who is building her own momentum with her first French Open quarter-final appearance. She can mix up her game to disrupt the opponent’s momentum, add her subtle touch at the net and is a master of point construction. Kirilenko has also been showing a lot of courage and resilience as she stormed back from 1-4 down in the first set of her last match to emerge victorious. But her shoulder remains doubtful and Azarenka’s superb consistency will surely help her strike the blow.

Prediction: Azarenka wins in straight sets.

Jelena Jankovic (18) v Maria Sharapova (2) (Head-to-head: Sharapova leads 7-1)

This is a renaissance year for former World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic. The Serb who endured a painful season last year, has been gradually making the amends and clay – one of her most comfortable surfaces – is certainly aiding her. She won her first title this year on the claycourts of Bogota and then followed it up with a Charleston final appearance and a place in Rome quarter-final. The 18th seed is clearly enjoying every moment of her resurgence and is now in Roland Garros quarter-finals for the first time since 2010.

But she now locks horns with a woman who is the reigning champion and is looking more and more confident as she progresses. Their head-to-head might present a staggering seven win out of eight wins for the Russian former World No. 1 but they have never met on clay which should make things exciting. Jankovic has superior movement on the red dirt and can slide incredibly well. She will try to exploit Sharapova’s relatively inferior mobility on the slower surface but the Stuttgart champion’s explosive ground game and her consistency will thwart her attempt for an upset.

Prediction: Sharapova wins in three sets.