With the victories of Rafal Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic on Monday, eight out of ten top five seeds in singles advanced into the quarterfinals at the French Open.
Djokovic overcame his uneasiness for a morning match to beat Robby Ginepri from the United States. The third seed Serbian struggled in the first set but managed to win 6-4. Although Ginepri took control in the second set to win in 6-2, Djokovic rallied in time to take the following two sets in 6-1, 6-2.
Djokovic will lock horns with the 22nd seed Jurgen Melzer as the Asutrian beat qualifier Teimuraz Gabashvili from Russia 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-1 and 6-4.
Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot to Shahar Peer of Israel during the women's singles fourth round match at the French Open tennis championship in Paris, France, on May 31, 2010. Williams won 2-0.
The second seed Rafal Nadal also took a berth in the men's quarterfinals after beating Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci in 6-2, 7-5 and 6-4.
Four time French Open champion Nadal was defeated by Robin Soderling in the fourth round last year, suffering his first loss at Roland Garros since 2005. The fifth seed Soderling had set up an encounter against top seed Roger Federer as both of the two finalists at last year won their last 16 matches on Sunday.
Nadal is going to face his compatriot Nicolas Almagro in the quarterfinals as the 19th seed knocked out the seventh seed Fernando Verdasco, also from Spain in 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 and 6-4.
Another quarterfinal will see the 15th seed Tomas Berdych from Czech to play the 11th seed Mikhail Youzhny from Russia.
In the women's singles, top seed Serena Williams only needed 67 minutes to beat Shahar Peer of Israel. The American world No. 1 is going to fight against Australian Samantha Stosur, who beat four time French Open champion Justine Henin from Belgium in 2-6, 6-1 and 6-4.
Justine Henin of Belgium reacts during a break at the women's singles fourth round match against Samantha Stosur of Australia at the French Open tennis championship in Paris, France, on May 31, 2010. Henin lost 1-2.
The fourth seed Jelena Jankovic ended Slovak Daniela Hantuchova 's journey at Roland Garros with a win in 6-4, 6-2. The Serbian's quarterfinal opponent is Yaroslava Shvedova from Kazakstan, who eliminated Australian Jarmila Groth in 6-4, 6-3.
The third seed Caroline Wozniacki and fifth seed Elena Dementieva had eased into the quarterfinals on Sunday. Wozniacki is going to meet Italian Francesca Schiavone while Dementieva will face her Russian compatriot Nadia Petrova.