Roger Federer fell to Stanislas Wawrinka on Tuesday at the French Open, marking the second day in a row that a No. 2 seed fell. Women’s No. 2 Maria Sharapova was upset Monday by Lucie Safarova. Both results seemingly set up clear paths for favorites on the men’s and women’s draws at Roland Garros.
French Open results 2015: Roger Federer falls, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga survives epic against Kei Nishikori
Half of the men’s and women’s semifinals at the 2015 French Open are set. They may not be shaping up quite how you expected.
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Federer fell in straight sets. Though he put up a valiant effort in the third, taking Wawrinka to a tiebreaker, Federer was sloppy for most of the match. The second set was particularly bad -- Federer committed 15 unforced errors to Wawrinka’s five, and was broken twice. He ultimately lost 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
Wawrinka advances to the semifinals where he will face Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who survived a five-set epic against Kei Nishikori. Tsonga appeared to be on his way to a straight-set victory, taking the first two sets, 6-1, 6-4. Nishikori flipped momentum with a strong second serve and return game, however, converting break points on his only two opportunities in the next sets and negating all six of Tsonga’s break opportunities.
Tsonga looked like the much stronger player in the fifth set, however, finally breaking Nishikori and serving up three aces. He scored on all but three of his 23 serves to close out the match with a 6-1, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 win.
The women’s draw was relatively drama free compared to the men’s side. No. 7 Ana Ivanovic cruised over Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 6-2, with an overpowering performance in which she hit 37 winners to her opponent’s eight. Ivanovic advances to the women’s semifinal to face No. 13 Safarova, who downed No. 21 Garbine Muguruza 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.
The tournament’s heaviest hitters had to be happy with what they’ve seen. The winner between No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 6 Rafael Nadal in Wednesday’s semifinal will likely be the overwhelming favorite to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires at Roland Garros. Likewise, No. 1 Serena Williams will be expected to take the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen as she did in 2002 and 2013, with Ivanovic now the highest-seeded potential opponent remaining.
Men’s Singles
No. 8 Stanislas Wawrinka def. No. 2 Roger Federer -- 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
No. 14 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. No. 5 Kei Nishikori -- 6-1, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3
Women’s Singles
No. 7 Ana Ivanovic def. No. 19 Elina Svitolina -- 6-3, 6-2
No. 13 Lucie Safarova def. No. 21 Garbine Muguruza -- 7-6 (7-3), 6-3
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