French Open Last 8: Nadal Nears 5th Consecutive Title

The French is getting fired up as the contenders near the final stages, the competition has been stiff and the surprises that follow such tournaments have also added to the unpredictability at the stade Roland Garros.

The round of 4 games were concluded yesterday to determine who will play who in the last 8 and the positions have been filled.

The last 8 will see great racketing and precisely directed shots and serves from the best tennis players on the earth.

Former champion Roger Federer is out leaving the likes of World number one Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, British number one Andy Murray, world numbers 5 and 6 David Ferrer and Milas Raonic as top seeds in the quarter final.

The hosts France may have their dreams of a French champion fulfilled this year in the rackets and arms of Gael Monfils, but that is still left if the Frenchman will get past Andy Murray.

Andy Murray says he will be taking on the most formidable athlete in tennis when he faces Gael Monfils at the French Open on Wednesday.

"He's a great athlete, maybe the best we have had in tennis," said the 27-year-old Scot.

"I think in the Grand Slams he's played his best tennis here by far. He loves playing in front of a big crowd.

"It's going to be an exciting match. I'm sure there will be some fun rallies - there always are when I have played against him," Murray said concerning the Frenchman.

Men's number one and current champion Nadal will slug it out against fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in a repeat of last year's final. Nadal is on the fifth title chase, if he can surmount Ferrer just as he did last year and his semi final opponent, then he would be put on record as a five times consecutive winner.

Tomas Berdych faces a resilient foe in Ernest Gulbis as he stands to avoid a defeat in the hands of the Latvian who edged out 33 year-old Roger Federer even as Novak Djokovic faces a scare from Milos Raonic who defeated his round 4 opponent on straight sets of 6-3 6-3 6-3 to reach a quarter final berth with the Serbian number two.

The same stiff competition will also heat up in the women's game even as Garbine Muguruza who ended the defense of the 2014 French open for Serena Williams matches up with another strong opponent, former champion and World number 7 Maria Sharapova. 20 year-old Muguruza has been the star of the Women singles since she defeated the younger Williams sisters.

WTA number 4 Simona Halep who saw off the last American women singles player Sloane Stephens, will hope to overcome a further challenge from Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova who is 27 in the World for a closer chance in the Final: Eugenie Bouchard plays Carla Suarez Navarro in the other quarter final while Sara Errani who beat World number 6 Jelena Jankovic in the fourth round exchanges shots and serves with Andrea Petkovic who sent Kiki Bertens packing.

The quarter finals start on June 3 through to June 4 for both Men and Female singles; te female semifinals will be played on Thursday June 5th with the Men's following on the 6th.