For just the second time since 2005, three American women have advanced to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in Paris.
Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Sloane Stephens have all made their way to the final eight in Paris, each hoping to become the first American to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 2015.
With just one top-ten seed left in the draw, these three Americans should feel confident in their chances going forward. However, can anyone defeat the mighty Iga Swiatek?
American Women are Shining in Paris
Jessica Pegula
#11 seed Jessica Pegula is into her third career Grand Slam quarterfinal, and first in Paris. The 28-year-old was the second-highest seeded American coming into the tournament and has played as such.
Rallying from a set down to defeat Irina Camelia Begu in the Round of 16, Jessica Pegula has shown the endurance and fortitude to win tough three-set matches. This becomes all the more vital as the competition continues to rise.
Pegula holds a 12-3 record on the clay this season and has started to come into her own on the surface. When she stays patient and does not try and force early winners, Pegula is very tough to beat.
The American will take on #1 seed Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals. Swiatek’s 32-match winning streak has been well documented, but she did look a bit more human during a 6-7 first set loss against Qinwen Zheng last round.
Pegula and Swiatek split their only two matchups, with the Pole ousting the American 6-2 7-5 earlier this year in Miami.
Coco Gauff
18-year-old Coco Gauff has found great comfort in Paris as she is into the quarterfinal of the French Open in back-to-back years.
Gauff has played some superb tennis to reach the final eight. Having yet to drop a set in four matches, Gauff has proven her fondness of the clay surface. She holds a career-winning percentage of 72.2% on the clay and 81.8% at Roland Garros.
The form Gauff has shown at the French Open over the past two years is hard to ignore. With none of the top-16 seeds left on her side of the draw, Gauff is in a prime position to make a real run at the title. First, she has to deal with Sloane Stephens in an all-American quarterfinal matchup.
Stephens won their only matchup 6-4 6-2 at last year’s US Open.
Sloane Stephens
After struggling with her form over the past few seasons, Sloane Stephens is into a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time since 2019. The former World No. 3 came into the French Open ranked as the 64th player in the world.
She came into Paris on a five-match losing streak while holding a 0-4 record on the clay this season. However, it seems just when you count out Sloane Stephens, she makes you pay.
The 29-year-old and 2018 French Open finalist has had two three-set battles while ousting two seeded players to reach the final eight in Paris.
Stephens’ counter-punching has been superb thus far at Roland Garros. She has found the perfect balance of controlled aggressiveness to keep her opponents off balance. Stephens has also knocked in 73% of her first serves in this tournament. Any player hitting that many first serves is hard to beat.
She takes on the aforementioned Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals.
Gauff has previously stated her admiration for Stephens and will surely relish the opportunity to play against her on such a big stage.
Main Photo from Getty.
