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French Open Day 10: Sharapova Falls, Gonzo Knocks Out Murray
by Nadya Vlassoff
 It was the first day of the quarter-finals and the surprises kept on coming. Maria Sharapova was on a great run following a ten month layoff and was into the quarter-finals, which were four rounds more than anyone would have expected her to go. After four three-set matches, Sharapova took on the 20th seeded Dominka Cibulkova. Sharapova started slow but fought back from similar situations throughout the tournament. However, the comeback never got off the court since Sharapova couldn't keep up with Cibulkova who took full advantage of her opponent's fatigue. Cibulkova spread her shots and had a good service game, which she used to offset the pace of the match. Sharapova was unable to win a single game in the first set as she was broken six consecutive times throughout the match. In the sixth game, Cibulkova was too far ahead and clinched the victory when Sharapova hit a return into the net. It will be the first time that Cibulkova makes it a semi-final of a Grand Slam tournament. Although Maria Sharapova lost, the loss is a big boost after coming back from injury. Wimbledon is next for the tenacious Russian and her fans will be waiting to see if Maria can return to glory at the home of her first Slam trophy.
The other women's quarter-final saw Dinara Safina take on Victoria Azarenka. With her 2009 French Open on the upswing, Safina has completely dominated every opponent to date. Azarenka had beaten the returning champion, Ana Ivanovic, in the previous round and was solid going into the second week. Azarenka began with a bang as she dominated the first set in less than half an hour. She carried that form into the second set and appeared ready to upset the number one seed but Safina finally awoke and stormed back after an arduous second game to go up 4-1 before relinquishing break. Dinara managing to hold and take the second set when Azarenka's return went long. The third and decisive set went to Safina as she gave up two only games to booked her place in the semi-finals for the second straight year.
 On
the men's side, Fernando Gonzalez, the stone
hand himself, played to win on Tuesday, surprising
many as he beat one of the last top seeds in
four sets. Andy Murray had been one of the favourites
heading into Roland Garros, with a much improved
clay court game and a new #3 ranking. Numbers
and statistics aside, it all came down to who
wanted it more and Gonzalez proved that he's
capable of playing with the big boys. It was
a battle of break points as Gonzalez and Murray
traded the first two sets, but it was all Gonzo
after that. In the third set it was all Gonzalez
who broke Murray three times to win it at love.
In the fourth set, Gonzalez got the decisive
break to take the match.
Robin Soderling, the Swedish upstart who has been generating courts of buzz since trouncing Rafael Nadal, was ready to continue his winning ways against the 10th seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko. As is common with most players who pull off big upsets only to fall the very next round, Soderling kept his game far away from that stereotype after dismantling Davydenko in straight sets. Soderling used his heavy forehand to smack a bevy of winners across the court, which Davydenko couldn't defend. Then, in true Grand Slam fashion, Soderling capped off his impressive run with an ace to win the match. Davydenko had few answers for Soderling who showed little fatigue after his match against Nadal and is poised to take on Fernando Gonzalez in the semi-finals.
Roland Garros is the home of such winners as Justine Henin and Bjorn Borg who both won the title multiple times in their illustrious careers. Both on-court greats had what most players lack, an arsenal of precision and a perfect touch within their games, which, on clay, is essential to victory. Rafael Nadal is out of the tournament but the door is open for anyone who wants it more than the other. Will it be Roger Federer? Will it be the Swedish upstart Robin Soderling? Will Dinara Safina ever win a Grand Slam title? Stay tuned.
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