Na Li became the 30st female Ozeki (=Champion) of the Open Era today by beating ex-Komusubi (=Junior Champion II) Viktoria Azarenka in straight sets in the French Open quarterfinals. She thus advances to the semifinals, Li's best ever result at Roland Garros. This follows on her memorable Australian Open final loss to Yokozuna (=Grand Champion) Kim Clijsters (who this time went out early).
In the semis, Li will play ex-Ozeki Maria Sharapova, who plays her first grand slam seminfinal since 2008. A tournament victory would propel Sharapova back to her former rank. Sharapova defeated Andrea Petkovic in the quarterfinals, who earned a first-time Komusubi promotion by playing her second grand slam quarterfinal in a row. On a possible Ozeki run is also Sekiwake (=Junior Champion I) and defending titlist Francesca Schiavone if she wins this tournament.
Big titles are are stake in the men's game. If Rafael Nadal wins Roland Garros again this year it would be his 10th Grand Slam title, earning him the title of a Dai-Yokozuna (great Grand champion). Only five male open era players have earned this title thus far (Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, and Roger Federer). Further, Novak Djokovic would become the 16th male Yokozuna of the open era if he reaches the final. In his way is semi-final opponent ad Dai-Yokozuna Roger Federer. Finally, Andy Murray could at long last make it to Ozeki if he would win one more match and make his career-first French Open semifinal. At the moment were this is written, Murray has just won the tie-breaker of the first set over Argentine Juan Igancio Chela.
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