Perhaps not much is expected of Petra Kvitova at the 2017 French Open. The clay-court Grand Slam hasn't been her best one over the years. Furthermore, she is just returning to play after a six-month hiatus due to a horrific knife attack that she suffered in her home late in 2016. That said, her draw has actually opened a little bit due to the elimination of the top seed, Angelique Kerber.
Kerber fell in the tournament's first round
Kerber, before her elimination, shared a draw to the quarterfinals with Kvitova. It was possible that the German and the 15th-seeded Kvitova could have met in the fourth round.
However, now Kvitova is seeded to make the quarters with Sam Stosur perhaps the biggest rival for that spot.
Stosur herself is a more accomplished player historically at the French Open. The one-time US Open champion has done well at Roland Garros on numerous occasions. She first made the scene in Paris in 2009 when she advanced all the way to the semifinals. The next year she would do a round better when she lost in the final to Francesca Schiavone. Last year she was a surprise semifinalist as her upper-body strength proved to be vital during 2016's rainy French Open. She may well challenge for a spot in the semifinals again as she's in an open section of the draw.
Stosur vs. Kvitova possible in third round
Stosur and Kvitova could face in the third round. Each will have to survive a second-round match to make it that far, but each will enter the second round as favorites to advance. Stosur will face Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium while Kvitova will face Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States.
Neither Flipkens not Mattek-Sands has a history of doing well in majors.
Besides Kvitova and Stosur, there are no seeded players remaining in their draw to the quarterfinals. No. 31 Roberta Vinci also went out to create a section on top of the draw where an unseeded player will make the fourth round. That section sees Ekaterina Makarova and Monica Puig as the two unseeded hopefuls that will be looking to do some damage.
For each player, a run at Roland Garros would be welcome. Each has some historical accomplishments, with Puig winning the gold medal at Rio last summer. However, each could use some momentum right now and the 2017 french open definitely appears to be a good chance to seize some.
But if you were to pick a quarterfinalist in what was Kerber's section of the draw, then Stosur is the best pick. She has done well at Roland Garros over the years and her Grand Slam title from earlier this decade at Flushing Meadows attests to her talent. Unlike Kvitova, Stosur is match ready as she has not had to miss time this season.
