Stan Wawrinka versus Gael Monfils

It should be a raucous crowd on hand for what could be a feast of spectacular shot-making in this men's fourth-round battle between Stan Wawrinka and home favorite Gael Monfils.  These are two men who love the main stage and typically bring their best to it.  The issue for Monfils is that Wawrinka's best is better than his.  The Swiss goes bigger from the ground, has the advantage in the forecourt, and possesses more variety of shots.  The only area where the Frenchman has a decisive edge is in the movement department, but that can also work to his detriment.  Monfils at times has a bad habit of relying too much on his defense, and that will not cut it against the bludgeoning ground strokes of Wawrinka. 

Instead, Monfils needs to step into the court and impose his own will, which he has illustrated he is able to do against the sport's greatest.  Coupled with that, he should look to feed on the energy of the crowd that will be solidly in his corner.  He has won two of their four prior meetings, so he comes in knowing what he needs to do to get the job done and not only move ahead in their rivalry but advance here at Roland Garros.  If he can execute his best, then Monfils could certainly keep the French hopes alive.  But even so, it is the Swiss who is in a better position to determine the outcome of this contest, and if he brings his own best, he will continue his march towards a second Roland Garros crown.

Simona Halep versus Carla Suárez Navarro

Folks should be prepared to settle in for what could easily evolve into a war of attrition between Simona Halep and Carla Suárez Navarro.  History has shown that there has been little to choose between these two.  They have met on eleven occasions, with Halep holding the slight edge 6-5, and most of those meetings have gone the distance.  They have also met three times at the majors, where Suárez Navarro holds a 2-1 lead, including here at Roland Garros, but Halep won their most recent meeting, which came last year at the US Open.  As for what fans can expect on Monday, it should be for Halep to put a little more space between herself and the Spaniard in their tight rivalry. 

Neither woman possesses a big serve or a point-ending weapon, so they will be made to work in the rallies.  But it is Halep who generally does a better job of staying up on the baseline, looking to be the aggressor and moving the ball around the court to create space.  It is imperative that she do that, however, because if not, Suárez can hurt her.  The Spaniard's ground strokes could get up high on the third seed, and her beautiful, one-handed backhand is an excellent tool for finding acute angles and getting the Romanian out of position.  Halep looks unlikely to let that happen though.  She has had a phenomenal spring on the clay coming into Paris, and she has looked every bit the favorite fans feel that she here this year.  Barring a sudden drop in form, she is going to find herself in the quarterfinals.

Marin Cilic versus Kevin Anderson

With so much of the focus elsewhere, two men who have managed to quietly make their way through to the last sixteen are Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson.  Neither man has been beyond this stage of Roland Garros, but that will change for one of them by the time this contest is finished.  A large factor in determining which of the two will advance hinges on who has the better serving day, is dialed in on the return, and can most frequently get in the first strike.  Both are tall players, who are going to smash their share of aces.  Both also can wail on the ball from the ground from either wing, which is why it is going to be so important for each one to keep his nose in front in the rallies by maintaining a high first-serve percentage and making the return count when he gets a look at a second serve.  And right now, Cilic appears to be the one poised to do this a little more consistently. 

Having not played as much tennis to reach this stage, he is the fresher of the two, and he has more variety in his game.  He also has the mental advantage in that he is a former major champion more conditioned to playing these types of matches, and he enjoys a dominant 5-1 lead in their rivalry.  But do not make the mistake of counting out Anderson.  Less than two years ago he was ranked world no.10 and has only seen his ranking drop due to an injury-plagued 2016.  He is quickly rising back up the ranks and has looked solid here in knocking off eighteenth seed Nick Kyrgios and holding his nerve to defeat Kyle Edmond in five.  With all of the pressure squarely on the Croat's shoulders, it may be Anderson who ultimately swings away more freely to secure victory.  The only certainty in this match is that one of them will find himself in his first Roland Garros quarterfinal.