Roger Federer can expect a serious step up in quality in the quarter-finals of the French Open, having strolled into the last eight without dropping a set. The Swiss great spanked Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer in straight sets on Philippe-Chatrier, keeping his time on court to a minimum in another swelteringly hot day at Roland Garros. A 6-2 6-3 6-3 win in an hour and 42 minutes ensured he remained one of three men to not drop a set at this year’s event, along with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and home favourite Gael Monfils. It will be tough to maintain that record, however, when he takes on the winner of Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Stan Wawrinka.
Federer’s last appearance here, in 2015, ended in a straight sets to his 34-year-old compatriot – who went on to win the title that year – and there are signs that the former champion is close to returning to the peak of his powers.
Wawrinka has come through a ridiculously tough draw unscathed, thrashing in-form Chilean Cristian Garin and edging Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets, but Tsitsipas represents an even stiffer test. The Greek sixth seed has become one of the most feared players on the ATP Tour and is responsible for Federer’s most recent defeat at Slam level. Tsitsipas, 20, fought past the world No. 3 in the fourth round of the Australian Open in what was, at the time, a major shock. However, he has gone from strength to strength and, like Wawrinka, would offer a serious threat to Federer.
