Stan Wawrinka’s quest for a second French Open title remains right on track after recording a thrilling 7-5, 7-6 (7), 6-2 win over Gael Monfils in the fourth round on Monday. It was a terrific performance by the world no. 3 who needed two hours and 43 minutes to record the straight-sets victory. With the win, Wawrinka moved into the quarterfinals in Paris for the fourth time in his career.
Wawrinka, the 2015 French Open champion, blasted 35 winners and won 70 percent of his first serve points against Monfils. What proved to be the difference in the match, however, was Wawrinka’s highly-effective net play. The Swiss star won 26 of his 34 net points against Monfils. Next up for Wawrinka is a quarterfinal clash with Marin Cilic.
The 32-year-old will fancy his chances against the Croatian as he has won 11 of his 13 previous matches against Cilic. One of those 11 victories came at Roland Garros. Wawrinka defeated Cilic in the second round of the 2008 French Open, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-1. For Wawrinka to extend his dominance against Cilic, he will need to find ways to limit his miscues. He committed a whopping 40 unforced errors in the win against Monfils.
Marin Cilic has been handed a free pass into the quarterfinals of the 2017 French Open after Kevin Anderson retired from their round-of-16 clash with a leg injury. Things are bound to get tougher, though, for the Croatian as he will next face the red-hot Stan Wawrinka. Cilic has lost each of his last eight meetings with Wawrinka who is in the midst of an eight-match winning streak on clay.
For Cilic to record the upset against Wawrinka, the 28-year-old needs to dominate with his service game. He has recorded 31 aces in this year’s French Open – good for eighth in the free-points table. Cilic’s success later today will largely depend on his first serve. He has won 86 percent (118-of-138) of his first serve points in this tournament thus far, third-best in the entire field. If Cilic’s first serve is right on target in the quarters, it’s going to be a long day for Wawrinka who won just 38 percent of his receiving points in the fourth round.
Also working in Cilic’s favor is his solid return. He has converted 20 of his 31 break point opportunities through the first four rounds for an excellent 65 percent clip. That’s good for third in this year’s French Open. Cilic will need to be at his best, though, against Wawrinka who has been dominant with his serve in this tournament.
