PARIS, June 5, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Aryna Sabalenka eyes a place in a seventh
consecutive Grand Slam semi-final when she takes on Russian teenager Mirra
Andreeva at the French Open on Wednesday, with the schedule diminished
following the withdrawal of Novak Djokovic.

The other two singles quarter-finals on Court Philippe Chatrier see Elena
Rybakina face Jasmine Paolini and Alexander Zverev play Alex de Minaur in the
night session.

World number two Sabalenka, who is still on course to meet rival Iga Swiatek
in Saturday's final, has not failed to reach a Slam semi-final since lifting
her first major title at last year's Australian Open.

"When you finally get there, to your goal, it actually gives you so much
confidence in yourself," the Belarusian said.

Sabalenka has powered through the draw so far without dropping a set,
including a 6-1, 6-2 dismantling of Andreeva's older sister Erika in the
first round.

However, 17-year-old Mirra, the youngest woman to reach the quarter-finals
since 2005, could prove a tougher nut to crack despite having failed to win a
set against Sabalenka in two previous meetings.

"Of course we will add a few adjustments," she said. "We will change
something, because the way I played last two times didn't work.

"I don't have anything in my head, so I hope my coach will help me with it."

The winner will play either former Wimbledon champion Rybakina or Italian
12th seed Paolini for a spot in the final.

Rybakina will be a strong favourite to progress, but the 28-year-old Paolini
will be full of confidence after an excellent year which has seen her fly up
the rankings.

"Before was, like, 'I cannot win these matches'. I have to, I don't know, do
a miracle," Paolini said after beating Elina Avanesyan to reach her first
Grand Slam quarter-final.

"But now I step on court, and I say, 'Okay, I can have my chance'. I have to
play well, of course, but I have chances."

- Djokovic injury shakes up men's draw -

Djokovic had been due to face Casper Ruud in a repeat of last year's final,
but the 24-time Grand Slam champion's title defence was abruptly ended by a
knee injury he suffered during his dramatic last-16 victory over Francisco
Cerundolo.

Jannik Sinner will now usurp Djokovic as world number one next week and the
Italian goes up against Carlos Alcaraz in Friday's men's semi-finals.

Zverev and De Minaur, playing in only his second Slam quarter-final, will
face off for the remaining last-four spot against Ruud.

German fourth seed Zverev will be targeting a fourth straight Roland Garros
semi-final after making the last eight for the sixth time in seven years.

He needed five sets to beat Tallon Griekspoor in the third round, before
fighting back to defeat Holger Rune in another decider in a last-16 tie which
finished at 1:40 am local time -- the second-latest finish in French Open
history.

"I've played a total of eight-and-a-half hours over the last three days so I
need to recover," said Zverev.

"I need to do everything possible to be ready for the quarter-final match."

Zverev is playing under the shadow of an ongoing trial in Berlin over
allegations of assaulting an ex-girlfriend.

Australian De Minaur, seeded 11th, had never even got past the second round
in Paris before this year, winning just three of 10 matches.

"It's one of my best Slam results. Looks like I've converted myself into a
clay specialist," De Minaur said.

There will be a first-time French Open men's champion on Sunday, with Ruud
the only man left in the draw who has previously reached the final.