Photos: French Open Day 9

Author:
Courtney Nguyen
Publish date:
Jun 3, 2013

Rafael Nadal played his best match of the tournament in his win over Kei Nishikori. (Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are just a round away from a much-anticipated matchup after both men eased in the quarterfinals of the French Open on Monday. Tommy Haas, 35, joined them in the final eight, becoming the oldest man to make the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament since Andre Agassi at the 2005 U.S. Open as a 35-year-old.

Also Monday, top-10 players Richard Gasquet and Stanislas Wawrinka played an electric five-set match on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The pair cracked winner after winner for more than four hours until Wawrinka prevailed 6-7 (5), 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 8-6.

As for the women, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka cruised, marking the first time the top-five seeds have progressed to the quarterfinals of a major since 2003 Wimbledon. And with losses by Sloane Stephens (to Sharapova), Bethanie Mattek-Sands (Maria Kirilenko) and Jamie Hampton (Jelena Jankovic), the American women are out save one: She who holds the top spot in the rankings.

Here are some of our favorite photos from Day 9 at Roland Garros.

Stanislas Wawrinka: Stan the Man put on a clinic in aggressive ball-striking over five sets like he did against Djokovic at the Australian Open -- except this time it was enough to win. His reward: a quarterfinal against Nadal. Give the man an ice bath. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images)

Richard Gasquet: The Frenchman dropped to 1-15 in the fourth round at Slams, but he put on an amazing show for the home crowd. He seemed to savor the Davis Cup atmosphere and support, a surprising reaction given his preference for anonymity. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images)

Maria Sharapova: With her 6-4, 6-3 win over Stephens, the defending champion still hasn't dropped a set in Paris. She takes on her old rival from the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, Jankovic, in the quarterfinals. (Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal: The birthday boy was all smiles after finally putting in a dominant performance, a 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 rout of Kei Nishikori. (Michel Spingler/AP)

Novak Djokovic: The Serb shook off a slow start to defeat Philipp Kohlschreiber 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. (Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images)

Tommy Haas: Conventional wisdom tells you that a 35-year old-guy should be exhausted 48 hours after playing a five-set match that lasted four hours and 37 minutes. Not Haas. He blitzed Mikhail Youzhny 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in an hour and 24 minutes. He'll get a crack next at Djokovic, whom he upset at the Sony Open in March. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Victoria Azarenka: She's been flying under the radar, but the Australian Open winner played her best match of the tournament by far in dismissing 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-3, 6-0. (Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images)

Francesca Schiavone: For those who love the Italian's spirit and flamboyant style, here's hoping her Roland Garros run snaps her out of her funk. (Michel Euler/AP)

Maria Kirilenko: The Russian ended Mattek-Sands' run 7-5, 6-4 and now draws Azarenka. The 12th-ranked Kirilenko will make her top-10 debut next week if she upsets Azarenka or Jankovic fails to reach the final. (Christophe Ena/AP)