There will be a new name on the women’s trophy at the French Open and a new grand slam champion, but who comes out on top is anyone’s guess after a remarkable day at Roland Garros.
The four remaining previous grand slam winners in the draw – defending champion Garbine Muguruza, Venus Williams, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Sam Stosur – all bit the dust yesterday, leaving the tournament wide open for any of the eight women standing.
Muguruza, who won the title in such stunning style 12 months ago, was taken out 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 by France’s Kristina Mladenovic, feeding off an atmosphere on Court Suzanne Lenglen that was more like something out of the 1998 World Cup.
For Muguruza, it was all too much to handle and though the Spaniard stopped short of accusing the crowd of being unsporting, the atmosphere definitely got to her.
“I think the crowd today was a little bit obviously tough for me,” she said. “I understand. I just think that sometimes they should be a little more respectful.
Williams was beaten in three sets by Timea Bacsinsky and Stosur fell to former Wimbledon junior champion Jelena Ostapenko and Kuznetsova was ousted by former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki.
Into the last eight for the first time in her career, victory for the Dane might just be the ultimate surprise?
“I felt good all year,” she said. “I have been playing well and confidently. I felt pretty good going into the tournament.
"Obviously it's just kind of clicking this week. Hopefully I can keep going this way.”
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