World awaits true grudge match as old foes take to court

The 28th seed against a player ranked 451 in the world would not usually command a place on the prestigious Philippechatrier Court at Roland Garros.

But today the French Open will stage a grudge match the like of which grand slam tennis has not seen in a very long time.

Maria Sharapova faces Serena Williams for the first time since the 2016 Australian Open, which was the Russian’s last game before a 15-month doping ban.

Williams’ dramatic drop down the rankings is due to her maternity leave; she is playing in her first major tournament since having a baby girl in September.

“We are both on a comeback, for two totally different reasons,” Williams said, diplomatically, after beating Julia Goerges on Saturday evening.

“She’s been on her journey for over a year and I just started mine a couple months ago.

“So, you know, it’s just something new and different. I don’t know what else to say.”

Except she did know what to say. Williams branded Sharapova’s autobiography, in which the Russian described how she heard the American sobbing loudly in the locker room after beating her in the 2004 Wimbledon final as “100% hearsay”.

She went on: “You know, I have cried in the locker room many times after a loss, and that’s what I have seen a lot of people do. I think it’s normal.

“I think, if anything, it shows the passion and the desire and, you know, the will that you have to want to go out there and do the best.

“It’s a Wimbledon final, you know. So it would be more shocking if I wasn’t in tears.

“And I am emotional and I do have emotions and I wear them on my sleeve.

“I’m human. I think it’s totally normal.”

Sharapova claimed that defeat was the reason behind the American’s dominant record over her since – overall Sharapova has beaten her fierce rival just twice in 21 matches and not for 14 years.

Meanwhile Sharapova, who dropped just three games as she knocked out sixth seed Karolina Pliskova, knows only too well what she is up against.

“You know the challenge that is upon you,” she said.

“You know, despite the record that I have against her, I always look forward to coming out on the court and competing against the best player.”

Meanwhile, Madison Keys reached her first French Open quarter-final with a 6-1 6-4 win over Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnescu.

The American 13th seed broke serve in the second and sixth games before taking the first set with a powerful forehand.

She sealed the win with an ace on her third match point.

Sloane Stephens beat Anett Kontaveit 6-2 6-0 to set up a potential semi-final meeting with Keys, whom she beat in the final at Flushing Meadows.

“I was really pleased to get out and play some good tennis,” said the US Open champion.

Keys will play Yulia Putintseva in the last eight after the Kazakh beat Czech Barbora Strycova 6-4 6-3.

Stephens awaits the winner of the match between second seed Caroline Wozniacki and Daria Kasatkina.

The Russian led 7-6 3-3 when play was suspended for the day.

Picture: Getty. Madison Keys defeated Mihaela Buzarnescu.