Eleven-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal is one victory away from returning to the French Open semifinals as he continues his run towards an unprecedented eighth Open Championship. Standing in his way is 28-year-old Swiss native Stanislas Wawrinka, a highly motivated player looking to advance to his first French semifinal.
When and Where to Watch Quarterfinal Match
With a trip to the semi's on the line and a date with either top-seeded Novak Djokovic or No. 12 Tommy Haas, No. 3 Rafael Nadal and No. 9 Stanislas Wawrinka will play their quarterfinal match on Wednesday, June 5 at 10:00 a.m., EDT. Television coverage will be provided by ESPN2 with an on-line live stream available through ESPN3.com. Open coverage will begin at 8:00am.
Road to the Quarterfinals - Rafael Nadal
The defending French Open champion, Rafael Nadal looked sluggish to start the 2013 tournament, dropping the first set of his Open schedule to German Daniel Brands. Brands was precise with his shots and consistent on serve through the first few games, setting himself up for a potential upset. Nadal was not about to go quietly however, winning the second frame in tiebreaking fashion before finishing the contest 6-4, 6-3.
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A meeting with Martin Klizan was next for the defending champ and once again, Nadal failed to achieve an early start, dropping the opening set 4-6. It didn't take long for Rafa to snap out of the early second round funk though, as the 27-year-old superstar played his way to three-straight 6-3 victories, closing his opponent out in 4 sets.
Nadal would have an easier time with Italy's Fabio Fognini in the third round, disposing of the 5'10" righty in three sets, 7-6 (7-5 tiebreak), 6-4, 6-4 and although Fognini put up a strong fight throughout the match, Rafa Nadal seemed closer to his 2012 Championship form as he would now prepare to face Japan's Kei Nishikori in the fourth round.
Nadal played his strongest match yet against the rising talent from Japan, disposing of the 23-year-old in three sets, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3. As the tournament continues on, Rafa Nadal seems to be getting stronger, something that can surely cause problems for any opponent he meets down the road, beginning with Wednesday morning's quarterfinal opponent Stanislas Wawrinka.
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Road to the Quarterfinals - Stanislas Wawrinka
The ninth seed in this year's field, Stanislas Wawrinka is certainly capable of winning his first career Grand Slam at the 2013 French Open. Beginning his journey to the final with a four-set victory over Thiemo De Bakker, the 28-year-old talent has put together a marvelous run thus far.
Meeting Horacio Zeballos in the second round, Wawrinka made quick work of the Argentine lefty, ending the match in three sets 6-2, 7-6 (7-2 tiebreak) 6-4.
Breezing through the second round, Wawrinka's third round opponent put up a strong fight his next time out. After taking the opening frame 6-3, Wawrinka dropped the second in a tiebreaker. The No. 10 ranked player in the world would return to true form over the final two sets, taking down his opponent with consecutive 6-3 victories.
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While there have certainly been a good amount of memorable tennis matches this season, the fourth round battle between Wawrinka and No. 7 Richard Gasquet may have been the most entertaining one to date.
Dropping the first two sets to the French phenom, Wawrinka did not have any answer for the strength and finesse of his foe in what was developing into a nightmare contest for the Lausanne, Switzerland native. Fighting back in the third frame, Wawrinka closed the deficit to 2-1 with his 6-4 victory and then took control of the fourth set, eventually closing out the Frenchman 7-5 to set up a fifth and final set.
In your classic back and forth win-or-go-home battle, Stanislas Wawrinka outlasted his counterpart, advancing to the quarterfinals on the strength of a thrilling 8-6 final set victory, setting up an enticing quarterfinal with Rafa Nadal.
Quarterfinal Wrap-Up
Two of the best players in the world will meet in the French Open quarters for a match that will certainly have fans on the edge of their seat, especially since Rafael Nadal is looking to become the first player to win eight French Open titles.
Be sure to catch all the quarterfinal action on Tuesday, May 5 at 10:00 a.m., EDT. Television coverage will be available on ESPN2 with an online live stream broadcast through ESPN3.com. Event coverage will begin at 8:00am.
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