Day 11 Preview: Can Kvitova and Sharapova Fight Off the Upset Bug in Paris?

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Christophe Karaba/EPA

(June 5th, 2012) The final two women's semifinal spots are up for grabs as tomorrow's quarterfinals feature heavy favorites in each match. But as we've seen so far at Roland Garros, it's always best to plan for the unexpected.

No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova vs. No. 23 seed Kaia Kanepi

After rolling through her early rounds, Maria Sharapova battled herself, her opponent Klara Zakapalova, and a slow court in windy conditions to grind out an ugly three set win that was greeted with boos by the impatient Paris crowd. After looking like the clear favorite, Sharapova suddenly looked vulnerable in her quest to complete a career sweep of the four Majors.

Sharapova will now take on Kaia Kanepi who is into the fourth Major quarterfinal of her career. Kanepi certainly has the weapons to frustrate Sharapova, but can Kanepi handle her nerves if she gets a chance to score the biggest win of her career?

Tomorrow's rainy forecast and a slow court once again could make this an even contest in what will be a first time meeting between both women. Sharapova should prevail, but don't be surprised if once again the reigning glamour queen of tennis has to get down and dirty on the terre battue to score another ugly three set win.

No. 4 seed Petra Kvitova vs. Yaroslava Shvedova

After a so-so clay court season, Kvitova has suddenly become a factor again at this year's French Open. The Wimbledon champion didn't seem at all bothered by the slower courts in her straight sets dismantling of Varvara Lepchenko in the last round and looks ready to go all the way to the finals.

Standing in her way is the surprising Yaroslava Shvedova who has come all the way from qualifying to knock out defending champion Li Na en route to reaching the French Open quarterfinals for the second time in her career. Shvedova has a good all-around game and is very comfortable at the net. But Kvitova has solid volleys of her own and won't be easily flustered by Shvedova's attempts to mix things up.

This is a first time meeting between the two, and though Shvedova has played inspired tennis, she will see her fairytale run end at the hands of the big-hitting Kvitova in straight sets.

For a complete order of play, go here. http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/schedule/schedule16.html