Roland Garros

Top 5 Photos (6/2): Wawrinka's will to win; two get closer to history

Day eight was full of incredible moments on the red clay of Roland Garros.

By Jordaan SanfordPublished June 02, 2019

A match finished under an hour and another lasted over five. No matter where you looked, though, it was a very eventful day at Roland Garros. Here are the Top 5 picture-perfect moments from Day 8.

1. Rafael Nadal surged past Juan Ignacio Londero, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3, with a forehand winner to end the match. Nadal is now 90-2 at Roland Garros, and one step closer to extending his already record haul of French Open titles. He enters the quarterfinals unwavered in his attempt to win a 12th, which would be the most titles by a man or woman at any Grand Slam.

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during his mens singles fourth round match against Juan Ignacio Londero of Argentina during Day eight of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 02, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

2. Stan Wawrinka delivers the shot of the day to win an epic five-hour battle against world No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas, 7-6 (6), 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 8-6. The 34-year-old showed, once again, that he has the heart and the physical strength to outlast younger players. He continues his campaign at Roland Garros against fellow Swiss star, Roger Federer.

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 02: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrates during his mens singles fourth round match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day eight of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 02, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

3. Johanna Konta is the first British woman since 1983 to reach the fourth round, and with her triumph over Donna Vekic on Sunday, she's just one win away from matching Jo Durie’s achievement of making the semifinals that year.

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 02: Johanna Konta of Great Britain serves during her ladies singles fourth round match against Donna Vekic of Croatia during Day eight of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 02, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

4. Roger Federer slides into the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 win over Leonardo Mayer. At 37 he is the oldest man to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal since 1991; it's his 54th Grand Slam quarterfinal, tying him with Chrissie Evert.

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 02: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a backhand during his mens singles fourth round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during Day eight of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 02, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

5. It takes a village at Roland Garros, between every set: the courts are swept and lines are brushed. Following the last matches of the day, they are swept and watered heavily. Over 100 people are responsible for maintaining the clay courts and keeping them in pristine condition.

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 02: The court is watered during Day eight of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 02, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Catch up on Week 1 at Roland Garros on the TENNIS.com Podcast: