Day 8 also known as Manic Monday. What a day of tennis! First up on centre court was world number 1, Novak Djokovic, and his opponent was Chilean, Cristian Garin. On paper many thought it would be a relatively simple win for the world number 1. In reality it was as he lost just 8 games on his way to another grand slam quarter final. Next up was the 25th seed and previous champion, Kerber, and her opponent was the young, Coco Gauff. A great match with both ladies constantly under pressure on serve. Kerber managing to beat the young American in straight sets. Last match on centre was between 8 time champion, Roger Federer, and he was up against the in form Italian, Lorenzo Sonego. Federer managed to get the early break in the first set and was serving for the set at 5-4. Sonego broke to love, to make it 5-5. A long game was played and at break point Federer, the rain was to hard and the players had to go off. Sonego sadly served a double fault to hand the break to Federer. Federer once again found himself 2 break points down but this time round won 4 points in a row to take the 1st set 7-5. This allowed him to open up and he controlled the match from then. Winning in straight sets and just dropping 6 games in the last 2 sets.

1st seed, Ash Barty, was first on court 1. She was behind a break in both sets but in the end was too good for the French Open champion, Krejcikova. The next match on was between Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Felix played a superb first 2 sets and found himself 2 sets to love up. Zverev wasn’t done just yet though as he won the 3rd and 4th sets 6-3. This one was going the distance. Felix prevailing in the deciding set 6-4. This is the first time the Canadian has reached a grand slam quarter final. The last match on was between, Tomljanovic and the last Brit left in any of the singles draws, Raducanu. The first set was tightly contested with some great tennis being played by both ladies. Tomljanovic was able to break to take the 1st set 6-4. Raducanu then started holding her stomach and didn’t look good at the start of the 2nd set. She went to the umpire to ask for the doctor. At 0-3 in the 2nd set, Raducanu went off with the doctor to test her breathing. The doctor then came on to say that Raducanu could not continue because of medical reasons. Tomljanovic was through to the quarter finals. The only match that needs to be finished is between Medvedev and Hurkacz. Medvedev leads by 2 sets to 1 but is 4-3 down in the 4th set.

The fantasy league is shaping up to be one of the closest we have ever had. Currently there are 5 teams tied in third place. 8th is just 2 points behind third and 9th is just 3 points behind 8th. 2nd and first though are trying to create a gap to the chasing pack. ‘Anyone for Tea’ is 8 points ahead of third place in second place. ‘2nd Choice’ still leads after day 8. Their lead is now 9 points over ‘Anyone for Tea’. Here is the leaderboard after Day 8.

Results from Manic Monday:

• Khachanov(25) beat Korda – 3-6; 6-4; 6-3; 5-7; 10-8
• Fucsovics beat Rublev(5) – 6-3; 4-6; 4-6; 6-0; 6-3
• Auger-Aliassime(16) beat Zverev(4) – 6-4; 7-6(6); 3-6; 3-6; 6-4
• Jabeur(21) beat Swiatek(7) – 5-7; 6-1; 6-1
• Sabalenka(2) beat Rybakina(18) – 6-3; 4-6; 6-3
• Golubic beat Keys(23) – 7-6(3); 6-3
• Kerber(25) beat Gauff(20) – 6-4; 6-4

Ladies Quarter-finals:

• Pliskova(8) vs Golubic (14:00)
• Muchova(19) vs Kerber(25) (15:15)
• Jabeur(21) vs Sabalenka(2) (15:30)
• Barty(1) vs Tomljanovic (17:30)

Jared

Jared matriculated in 2020 from Wynberg Boys High School in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. His passion for tennis afforded him the opportunity of travelling to Europe. He is a quizmaster and a fantasy organiser.