French Open #SmashTalk: Zverev or Thiem?

Four men and four women in the French Open quarterfinals have won Grand Slam titles before, so what are the chances that we will see new major champions at the weekend?

The #SmashTalk team of Vivienne Christie, Piers Newbery and Leigh Rogers discusses which woman is most likely to break through to win a first major title in Paris, and looks ahead to the big quarterfinal between Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem.

We would love to know your thoughts on today’s big topics too. Have your say on Facebook and Twitter using #SmashTalk.

Who is more under the radar, Cilic or Del Potro?

Piers Newbery: Marin Cilic. He has a lower profile anyway compared to Del Potro, a darling of the crowds everywhere he plays, and until last year the Croat had never reached the quarterfinals in Paris. Of the two, Del Potro has the X-factor that could just unsettle Nadal should they meet. 

Vivienne Christie: Marin Cilic: Victory over Fabio Fognini was the 28^th five-set victory of his long career – second only to Novak Djokovic among active players – but it still falls well below the headlines the endlessly-popular Juan Martin del Potro attracts. That won’t worry the good-natured Croat, who was similarly unheralded in reaching a first Australian Open final this year. Under the radar is the position that suits the understated Cilic best.

Watch the highlights of the great match between Marin Cilic and Fabio Fognini. The Croatian won in five sets 6/4 6/1 3/6 6/7 6/3.#RG18
More videos here >> https://t.co/L0wmcUhyym pic.twitter.com/v00LdxEbaw

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2018

Leigh Rogers: Marin Cilic. The world No.4’s clay-court ability is crazily underestimated. He’s a former Roland Garros boys’ champion and beating in-form Fabio Fognini in the fourth round was an impressive win.

Which woman could win a first Grand Slam title?

Leigh: Madison Keys. I’m tipping a former Grand Slam champion to win the title, but if there is a first-time winner it will be Madison Keys. Kasatkina could be a surprise finalist, but I don’t think she’d handle the occasion well enough to win the title.

Piers: Simona Halep. It seems strange to bracket the world No.1 with the up-and-coming stars of the game but the Romanian’s well-documented search for a first major continues. On the face if it, she faces a tougher task than ever with some big names in her half, but being a less clear favourite could just help her over the line.

REPORT: Serena withdraws with pectoral injury 

Vivienne: Daria Kasatkina. She has a game clearly suited to clay, backed by growing composure. It’s a long way from a first Grand Slam quarterfinal to a first major title –  especially given Halep, Muguruza and Sharapova loom on the opposite side – but few would be truly surprised if the talented young Russian made the leap.

Whose career has been changed by French Open 2018?

Vivienne: Mihaela Buzarnescu. After years lost through injury, the Romanian entered a first French Open main draw without a Grand Slam match win on her record, and left it with an upset of title favourite Elina Svitolina on her way to round four. It follows a rapid 12-month rise from outside the top 400 to an expected top-30 peak – the 30-year-old is quickly making up for lost time.

Leigh: Alexander Zverev. Recovering from two-sets-to-one deficits in three consecutive matches to reach a first Grand Slam quarterfinal is a huge result for the young German. Regardless of his results from here, the world No.3 has shaken his ‘Grand Slam underperformer’ tag in emphatic fashion.

Piers: Marco Cecchinato. The world No.72 had never won a main-draw match at a Grand Slam before last week; he has now beaten 10th seed Pablo Carreno Busta and eighth seed David Goffin, and is set to break into the world’s top 50. And pocket at least AUS$580,000.

I'm starting to love France ????
I felt great on court today! Next round Friday against n°4 seed Svitolina ???????? ???? #RG18 #haide #happymiki pic.twitter.com/HN7lOZpBkj

— Mihaela Buzarnescu (@MickyBuzarnescu) May 30, 2018

Zverev v Thiem – who wins?

Piers: Dominic Thiem. While Zverev has captured the headlines with his epic run of five-sets wins, Thiem has looked impressive throughout – and he’s been down this road before as a two-time semifinalist. If Zverev has made a breakthrough by reaching the quarters, Thiem is ready to do the same by reaching the final.

Vivienne: Alexander Zverev. The most telling factor in Zverev’s first Grand Slam quarterfinal is how he’s recovered from three consecutive five-setters – and 11 hours, 57 minutes on court. But Thiem has dropped sets in his three matches, taking nine-and-a-half hours to progress. While the Austrian’s 4-2 head-to-head record and the experience of two French Open semifinals are an obvious advantage, Zverev outclassed Thiem in the recent Madrid final. I see him winning this one too.

Leigh: Dominic Thiem. I’m really looking forward to this match. Zverev did beat Thiem in the Madrid final last month, but he’s also exerted a lot more physical and emotional energy to reach the quarterfinal stage in Paris. Will that be telling? It is sure to be a factor, helping Thiem to win in four sets.