Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are on track for a gold-medal showdown after both advanced to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.
Djokovic kicked off the action on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Wednesday against German player Dominik Koepfer, overcoming the sweltering humidity to secure a victory of 7-5, 6-3.
The Serbian is the first player of the modern era to reach the quarter-finals in singles at four Olympic Games, yet he has never made it to the final, having only a bronze medal from Beijing 16 years ago as a testament to his efforts.
“Winning a medal for Serbia has always been a major goal of mine, ever since my first Olympic Games in Beijing, where I brought home my only medal to date,” Djokovic remarked. “I’ve had some successful Olympic Games, but getting past the semi-finals has proven challenging three out of four times.”
Alcaraz, the youngest player to reach the quarter-finals since Djokovic in Beijing, defeated Roman Safiullin with a score of 6-4, 6-2. Djokovic will next take on eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, while Alcaraz faces American Tommy Paul in a rematch of their Wimbledon quarter-final.
In another notable match, Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti replicated his SW19 upset by eliminating seventh seed Taylor Fritz with a score of 6-4, 7-5.
While Andy Murray continues his campaign, it marked the end of the road for another retiring three-time Grand Slam champion, as Angelique Kerber faced a heart-wrenching 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6) defeat against China’s Zheng Qinwen in the women’s quarter-finals.
Kerber’s journey to the last eight in Paris was her best showing this year. The 36-year-old had previously announced her retirement will take place following the Olympics, having returned from maternity leave in January.
“I’ve accomplished everything I had dreamed of,” Kerber expressed.
“I reached No. 1, won Grand Slams, and earned a silver medal in Rio, so what more could one desire in the end? I am proud of all I have achieved in my career, including what I’ve done here on the court.”
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Zheng has secured a chance for a medal, as has Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, who is experiencing a remarkable tournament. The 29-year-old, currently ranked 67, followed her victory over Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini by defeating SW19 champion Barbora Krejcikova, 6-4, 6-2.
The Slovakian’s progress is causing a sensation back home, stating, “I still can’t believe that I’m in the semi-finals alongside the world’s top four players. This is the most significant match of my life, representing the Olympics, my country, and the people around me is a huge honor. It’s incredible.”
Top seeds Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula were eliminated from the doubles in the second round, with the Americans losing 2-6, 6-4, 10-5 to Czechs Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova, but Britain’s Katie Boulter and Heather Watson fared better.
The Team GB duo delivered an impressive 6-3, 6-4 victory against the No. 6 seeds, Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia and Luisa Stefani, and are set to face the Italian No. 3 seeds, Paolini and Sara Errani in the quarter-finals.
