Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic in French Open action
Big four all in action
Monday 1 June 2015 09:52, UK
Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all play in a pulsating Monday at the French Open.
The fourth round has thrown up some thrilling ties with the stakes raised at the prospect of the world’s elite players colliding at the quarter-final stage if they win on Monday.
Murray, the British No 1, will take centre stage at the start of the week when he takes on the unranked Frenchman Jeremy Chardy with a tense rivalry already building ahead of the match.
After Murray defeated Chardy at the Rome Open only to immediately withdraw from the tournament due to fatigue, the Frenchman criticised his actions. Murray, who defeated the highly touted Nick Kyrgios last time out, hit back to defend his decision and the duo will settle their differences on the court once again.
Murray has won six of the seven career meetings between the two.
Meanwhile, Federer will return to the court to resume his battle against Gael Monfils after their match on Sunday was suspended due to bad weather.
Poised at one set each, we are set for a fascinating insight as to how each player is able to return to the court to cross this unexpected hurdle, with the prize of a quarter-final against Stan Wawrinka up for grabs.
Djokovic and Nadal’s impending last-eight clash, the storyline of this French Open since the draw pitted them on a likely collision course, will finally be decided on Monday.
If both players come through their fourth-round encounters, we will be treated to the world No 1 against the nine-time Roland Garros winner and defending champion in an all-time great quarter-final.
Djokovic plays Richard Gasquet, the 20th seed from the host nation, while Nadal faces unranked American Jack Sock - but the focus will be on the rare prospect of them meeting at an earlier stage at a Grand Slam than we have historically been used to.
David Ferrer, the seventh seed, will also plays the ninth seed Marin Cilic in a close encounter to decide the quarter-final opponent of Murray if the British No 1 defeats Chardy.
