(June 1, 2014) For the first time in history, there will be two Canadians in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam after Eugenie Bouchard and Milos Raonic had dominating fourth round wins on Sunday at Roland Garros.
Raonic became the first Canadian man in the Open Era to reach the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win over Spaniard Marcel Granollers. The 23-year-old Canadian broke serve on four occasions and saved both break points that he faced. He hit 54 winners compared to just 14 from his opponent. Raonic advances to his first major quarterfinal in his fourth attempt. He will face world No. 2 Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Tuesday. Djokovic dominated Jor-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 on Sunday.
“I think I played the important moments well,” said Raonic of his win on Saunday. “There were a few moments where I’d be up quite handily on my serve, and I’d sort of drift away for a little bit, but when it came down to the wire I was playing those moments well.”
“I’m very eager and I’m looking forward to that,” Raonic said of facing Djokovic. “Especially after two weeks ago, to be putting myself in that situation to get to play him again.”
Bouchard dominated Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-1, 6-2 in 52 minutes over world No. 9. It is her third Top 10 victory of the year and ninth win a row. She hit 30 winners with 11 unforced errors.
“I really believe in my skills. I believe I can play with the best girls out there,” Bouchard said in press. “I was really mentally prepared for anything, for a battle. I think that mindset kind of helped me.”
Bouchard will try to reach her second major semifinal when she plays No. 14, Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro. Suarez Navarro beat Bouchard in the third round of Wimbledon last summer. Bouchard is the first Canadian since Helen Kelesi in 1989 to reach the quarterfinals of the French Open.