Caroline Wozniacki will be the first to tell you that clay is not her favourite surface. Add to that, the fact she is still recovering from injury - puts into perspective how well she has done to put in the gritty performance record to beat the prodigious Catherine Bellis in the 3rd round. The run doesn't stop there - this was followed up by a stoic three sets victory against Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova, in the fourth round. This takes Wozniacki into unchartered waters at the French Open.
Unusually, for a player of Caroline's class, stature and popularity - she has been progressing nicely and relatively unnoticed at Roland Garros.
However, the carrot that is being dangled just became juicier after yesterday's set of results - there is no previous Grand Slam winner left in the women's draw, there will be a first time winner this year. The Latvian world number 47: Jelena Ostapenko stands in her way.
Wozniacki versus Ostapenko for a spot in the semis
The well-grounded Latvian, booked her quarter-final spot by way of an impressive comeback against in-form Australian Sam Stosur. A straight sets second round victory over Olympic champion; Monica Puig also represents a standout performance.
Ostapenko leads the head-to-head with Caroline Wozniacki 3-0. Her most recent victory came on clay in Prague this year in three sets. However, they have not yet met in a game of this magnitude.
Whilst many commentators, including your writer, feel that a Grand Slam is not far off for Wozniacki, not many, if any, expect it to be this one. This year still represents her best chance though and a 3-0 deficit against Ostapenko won't put Wozniacki off one bit - she'll still fancy this.
A 60% break point conversion rate (6/10) by Wozniacki in her 4th round match against Kuznetsova is what she will seek to build upon against Ostapenko - if she is to continue her progress towards breaking that Grand Slam duck at Roland Garros.
Ostapenko is growing in strength, confidence and belief
The feral Latvian; Ostapenko only turns twenty years-old on the 8th June 2017. You would not know this given the maturity she displays both on and off the court. Jelena will not be phased before this crunch match and, nor will she at any stage of the tournament should she progress further.
This will definitely not be her last Grand Slam quarter final.
Wozniacki building fitness for her best major - the US Open
Whatever fate awaits Wozniacki in the 2nd week at Roland Garros - this will represent a sterling effort.
Wozniacki fans the world over, must be growing in confidence and praying that their star stays in one piece because she will surely have a great chance at bettering her best effort of runner-up at the US Open, by going one better this year.
