Stanislas Wawrinka has been progressing smoothly at Roland Garros this year - he's content to let the likes of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray take the limelight, but people are suddenly noticing his form.The general pre-tournament consensus was that if Stan makes it into the second week - then he has a great chance of winning the Slam.
The way he quickly recovered from a slow start against the dangerous Italian Fabio Fognini in the 3rd round to win in straight sets, showed focus and determination. He took this into his 4th round tie against home favourite Gael Monfils and silenced the crowd with a belated, assured performance.
Stan makes a nervous start against Monfils
Stan was throwing away break points like confetti early on in the 4th round encounter against Monfils. He seemed to be struggling to find his range on serve.
Despite complaining about feeling tired after his 3rd round victory over Gasquet - it was Monfils who looked fresher early on, as Stan had to save five break points in the 3rd game. Stan was missing too many forehands for anyone connected with him to be happy about. It is something he will need to work upon quickly, if he is relive his triumph of 2015 at Roland Garros.
Even the most ardent Stan fan would have to admit that Monfils was good value for the break of serve when it came in the 5th game of the first set and, Stan was in real danger of dropping his first set this tournament.
An assured hold of serve sealed a fine start from the Frenchman. However, a complete reversal of impetus saw Stan break back and go on to take the first set 7-5.
It's looking like Stan is destined not to lose a set with this tournament - that was a logic defying reversal. Monfils is nothing if not game, he immediately puts that behind him - breaking Stan assuredly in the 1st game of the second set.
Only to give it straight back next game. Stan went on to win a closely fought tie-break 9-7 and take the second set.
This broke Monfils resistance. Stan sealed the 3rd set, and with it the match. He has still to drop a set this tournament. During his post-match press conference Stan pointed to the windy conditions as the reason for his slow start.
Wawrinka v Cilic in a mouthwatering quarter final
Unlike his next opponent: Croatian, Marin Cilic, was in the process of making short work of South African, Kevin Anderson in his fourth round tie. Anderson was forced to retire when he was already a set down, midway through the second set. Cilic, has yet to lose a set in this tournament either, something has to give when he meets Wawrinka next.
The head-to-head record is 11-2 in Stan's favour. However, Stan's last two matches have seen him start slowly. The big-serving Cilic has the armoury to put his opponent under big pressure early, and this is the strategy he will use to try and make Stan crack. It is not a forlorn hope and, whoever wins this should face Murray, if all goes to plan they would definitely fancy their chances at a spot in the final.
