How to watch: 5 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern time on the Tennis Channel, streaming on Tennis Channel Plus.
Iga Swiatek is the only player remaining in the women’s draw who has previously reached the final of a Grand Slam event. Swiatek, the defending champion, is still the favorite to win the tournament, but the inspired performances of those left in the draw means that it won’t be easy for her to reach the women’s singles final on Saturday.
Here are some matches to keep an eye on.
Because of the number of matches cycling through courts, the times for individual matchups are estimates and may fluctuate based on when earlier play is completed. All times are Eastern.
Phillipe Chatrier Court | 5 a.m.
Coco Gauff vs. Barbora Krejcikova
Barbora Krejcikova, the world No. 33, is primarily a doubles specialist, having won two Grand Slam tournament events and reached at least the semifinals on six other occasions. After a fourth-round breakout in singles at the French Open last year, Krejcikova has bettered her performance once again, by outmaneuvering opponents who focus on the power of their shots.
Coco Gauff, the 24th seed, has secured a spot on the U.S. Olympic tennis team and is now playing in her first major quarterfinal. She has often impressed with her mental strength and has improved her point construction over the past few years. This match promises to be tactically astute, and a good lesson for any tennis player on how to play patiently.
Phillipe Chatrier Court | 7 a.m.
Iga Swiatek vs. Maria Sakkari
Iga Swiatek, the eighth seed and the defending champion, has barnstormed back into the quarterfinals at Roland Garros without dropping a set, an impressive show of consistency from the 20-year-old.
Maria Sakkari, the 17th seed, has reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal after an impressive upset over last year’s finalist, Sofia Kenin. Sakkari’s powerful baseline shots can unsettle even the steadiest players, and Swiatek will need to counter with some inventive play.
Phillipe Chatrier Court | 9 a.m.
Rafael Nadal vs. Diego Schwartzman
Diego Schwartzman, the 10th seed, has not dropped a set on his way to the quarterfinals. The clay court specialist reached the semifinals of the French Open last year but lost to Rafael Nadal in straight sets.
Nadal, a 13-time French Open champion, has once again looked like an unstoppable force. However, a change in style has become clear this year. When he was younger, Nadal won matches on clay by slowly grinding his opponents down. He has switched to more aggressive points, putting shots away and coming to the net more quickly. This style has won him 35 straight sets over the past couple of years, and it seems likely that he will continue to cruise through to the next round.
Phillipe Chatrier Court | 2 p.m.
Novak Djokovic vs. Matteo Berrettini
Novak Djokovic, the first seed, was pushed by Lorenzo Musetti to five sets in his round of 16 match. Djokovic lost the first two sets in tight tiebreakers as Musetti played an inspired stretch of tennis before Djokovic rallied, losing only one game before Musetti retired in the fifth set.
Matteo Berrettini, the ninth seed, had a bit of luck, getting a walkover as Roger Federer withdrew from the French Open ahead of their round of 16 match. Now, well rested, Berrettini will be trying to take the initiative and draw on his striking power to push Djokovic to the edge of his capabilities.
