American teenager Coco Gauff has risen to a career-high ranking (25) after making it into her first Grand Slam quarterfinals.
She beat Ons Jabuer 6-3 6-1 to set up a last-eight match against Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejčíková.
The 17-year old Gauff is proving to be a a legitimate contender for the title after making fourth round at Wimbledon two years ago as well as at the Australian Open in 2020.
“It means a lot to me, especially as I have lost in the fourth round a couple of times, so it feels good to get over that hurdle.
“Today I played probably my best match so far in the tournament,” Gauff stated after the heated encounter.
Greek Maria Sakkari also made it into the semis after defeating American Sofia Kenin 6-1 6-3.
She will go up against Pole Iga Swiatek, who knocked out Marta Kostyuk 6-3 6-4, in a potentially nail-biting affair.
In the men’s, defending champion Rafael Nadal beat Italian 19-year-old Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
Nobody in the history of the sport has been as dominant at one place as Nadal on the Paris clay, having won 103 of his 104 matches there on the way to his record 13 titles.
Nadal’s dominant display left Sinner unable to reach a maiden last 16 Grand Slam appearance and now Nadal will face Diego Schwartzman in the quarters.
Last year’s losing finalist Novak Djokovic had lady luck on his side after fighting back from two sets down to see off 19-year-old Lorenzo Musetti.
Musetti, ranked 76 and making his Grand Slam debut, was poised to condemn Djokovic to his earliest exit in Paris since 2009 when he captured the first two sets, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/2).
But Djokovic levelled by taking the next two, 6-1, 6-0 before Musetti retired at 4-0 down in the decider suffering from cramps and a back injury.
The World Number One remains on course to become the first man in over 50 years to win all four Slams twice.