FO: Big 3– Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic– in commanding form going into week 2

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer are sitting on top of the ATP rankings, and they’ve proved why they’re the still standard bearer of tennis by breezing through their matches at the French.

A decade ago, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer held the top three ATP spots, and in this tennis time warp, they are the dominant players to beat yet again. Although among the three, Federer is the dark horse in the mix, having only returned to clay after a three-year absence. He also entered Roland Garros without a clay court title, unlike Nadal (Rome) and Djokovic (Madrid), although Fed got to the quarters at each tournament. Federer is also happy to play the underdog at the tourney and exist beneath the radar, with Dominic Thiem and Fabio Fognini sitting above him as contenders this year.

Nadal cruising for a record baker’s dozen FO trophies

Rafael Nadal has silenced the criticism that plagued him at the beginning of the clay season. Of the Big 3, Rafa had sat titleless this year until he won at the Rome Masters tournament, the last clay event leading up to Roland Garros. This was in stark contrast to last year, when he dominated that quarter of the tennis calendar, collecting several record titles along the way to his 11th Coupe des Mousquetaires. This year, injury has impeded his progress since a punishing early hard court season.

However, the success in Rome gave the 17-time slam champ his first title this year and all the confidence he needed to prevail so far at the French Open. His only test came when he lost a set to David Goffin in his third round, 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. But otherwise, a fully fit and resilient Nadal has cruised through his matches, including his fourth round win over Juan Ignacio Londero, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

Rafael Nadal moves into his 38th grand slam quarterfinal, surpassing Roy Emmerson to become the fourth person on that list of most slam quarterfinals.

Djokovic bidding to hold all four slam titles at once for the second time

Novak Djokovic’s slam win in Australia put him ahead of Pete Sampras in the GS count, at 15. However, since that stupendous effort, he hit a slump– going out early in several tournaments afterwards– that he’s only recently come out of. His Madrid Masters title and making the final in Rome has put him in excellent condition to go for Roland Garros title No. 2. Like Federer, Djokovic has made several finals but only won once (Federer’s made five finals, Djokovic, four).

However, the Serb sits in a unique position among the three, having been the only one of them to hold all four slam titles at the same time, as he did in 2015 and 2016. Only Rod Laver and Don Budge have achieved that, Laver having it done it twice– once in the amateur era and the other in the Open Era. It would be a monumental achievement if Djokovic hit this metric a second time.

Djokovic is in the second half of the draw and faces his fourth round opponent, Jan-Lannard Struff (a Top 40 player), on Monday. Nadal may be the undisputed favorite, but world No. 1 Novak Djokovic is a close second.

An underrated Federer has played cool and relaxed throughout

Once considered the second best clay court player in the past, Roger Federer hasn’t played the dirt in three years. However, he hasn’t seemed rusty at all, making quarterfinal appearances heading into the clay slam, in Madrid and Italy. He hardly seems to have broken a sweat since coming back to Roland Garros, for the first time since going out in 2016.

Federer’s enjoying his dark horse status at the French, a position he’s not used to, but reveling in. Although he owns 11 clay titles in the past, he knows he’s not the favorite, and the pressure’s been off the Swiss. Perhaps this is why he’s been able to play as relaxed as he has. However, he is yet to face a Top 50 opponent. But that will end once he squares off with compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the quarters, the same player who sent him packing at the 2015 French Open.

Roger Federer is hoping to collect a second Coupe des Mousquetaires, adding to his 20 slam haul to give him a magical 21 titles. It’s been 10 years since the last one, and he’s certainly a long shot among the three, with contenders Thiem and Fognini placed above him. But Federer tends to defy the odds and he’s been thrilling the FO crowds with his breathtaking shots. Like Djokovic, he hasn’t dropped a set since arriving at Roland Garros. Getting to the quarters on Tue, he ties Chrissie Evert with the most quarterfinal appearances at a slam, 54.

Only Federer, Djokovic, and Thiem have won two titles each on the ATP tour this year.

An extra gift for Federer is that he may wind up as the new world No. 2, even if Nadal wins the French Open. Since he sat out the clay season last year, he has nothing to defend and all his points accumulated are just bonus points.

But first he must get through a steely-minded Stan Wawrinka.

Wawrinka beat Stefano Tsitsipas in the match of the tournament so far

Right behind the Big 3 is Stan Warinka with three slams. He won at Roland Garros before, defeating Djokovic at the 2015 tournament, when he wore those horrible shorts.

“I have a bad memory of it,” said Federer, recalling their 2015 meeting when Warinka defeated him on the way to collecting the title.

“Stan beat me in three sets with his terrible shorts! But he played really great that year,” Federer joked after his match, in French.

Wawrinka was tested more than the Big 3 in a tight, volatile marathon match against next gen sensation, Stefano Tsitsipas. It was the most riveting match so far, with both opponents showing their temper, but “Stan the Man” was ultimately able to keep his temperament in check better than the Greek, steeling himself to book the quarterfinal spot after five gruelling sets. The shot making was thrilling.

Novak Djokovic’s fourth round match takes place on Monday, with Federer’s and Nadal’s quarterfinal apperances set for Tuesday. The French Open continues through June 9, viewable on the Tennis Channel and NBC.