Martina Trevisan’s French Open fairytale continued as she knocked out fifth seed Kiki Bertens 6-4, 6-4 in the Round of 16 on Sunday.
The Italian, ranked 159 in the world, thus became the first qualifier in eight years to reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.
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“I came here two weeks ago to play the qualifiers and today I’m here in the quarter finals. I can’t believe it,” said Trevisan, who will break into the top 100 of the WTA rankings on Monday.
“I’m really honoured to play on this court with Bertens; she’s an incredible player.”
"I would like to thank all the people back home who are writing to me and sending me messages. I feel close to you even if I am far away. I'd kiss you all – I can't, but it's as if I would be doing it now." 🙏😘
🇮🇹 Italy, this one is for you 😊#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/vdsPsUYt8Z
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 4, 2020
Before the French Open, the 26-year-old Trevisan had lost 16 times in a row to top-100 opposition. But in Paris, she has beaten four top-100 players to make it to the final eight.
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Trevisan, who battled eating disorder anorexia for more than four years (2010 to 2014) defeated World No 74 Camila Giorgi in the opening round, World No 51 Coco Gauff in the second, World No 24 Sakkari in the third and now World no 8 Bertens in the Round of 16.
Swiatek stuns Halep
The Italian will next face Polish teenager Iga Swiatek, who scored a stunning 6-1, 6-2 victory over top seed Simona Halep.
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“I don’t know what happened!” the 19-year-old exclaimed after the match. “I was playing perfectly. I was so focused for the whole match, and even I’m surprised I can do that.”
2018 French Open champion Halep came into the fourth round clash on a 17-match unbeaten streak, having won the clay-court tournaments in Prague and Rome.
"It is my favourite… this week is like a dream come true for me."@iga_swiatek loves #RolandGarros ♥️ pic.twitter.com/DbRTMwMJ1C
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 4, 2020
The Romanian had beaten Swiatek, currently ranked 54 in the world, 6-1 6-0 in 45 minutes at the same stage last year in the clay-court Grand Slam at Roland Garros.
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But she was no match for the angles and variety being found at the other end of the court. Against arguably the best defensive player in the woman’s game, Swiatek struck a total of 30 winners.
The 19-year-old Swiatek has been in stunning form in Paris, reaching the final eight without dropping a set. And she has faced players like 15th seed Marketa Vondoursova, Su-Wei Hsieh and Eugenie Bouchard en route.
Nadal crushes Korda
Rafael Nadal blew away American qualifer Sebastian Korda 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 to romp into the quarterfinals on Sunday.
Korda, 20, actually had two break points in Nadal’s opening service game that spanned nine minutes and also had game point in the next game in a competitive opening.
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He did not win either, however, and once Nadal had sprinted into a 5-0 lead the American already looked forlorn.
Nadal has dropped only 23 games so far and is yet to face a seed. He will next face either US Open runner-up Alexander Zverev or rising Italian Jannik Sinner in his 42nd Grand Slam the quarterfinal, third on the all-time list.
