Tomas Berdych moved into the third round with a 6-3 6-7(7) 6-3 6-3 victory over Radek Stepanek on Wednesday, inching closer to a possible to-die-for quarterfinal with Kei Nishikori.

Roland Garros, 2015: Live Scores and Results and Betting Odds

The Czech, who has been a constant Top 10 fixture since 2010, appears to have made significant strides in 2015 under the tutelage of his new coach Dani Vallverdu. He’s reached semifinals in seven of nine events this year, which includes three finals. But Berdych has faltered in those finals, losing all three, and he’s gone a paltry 2-9 against the Top 10.

Despite those struggles with the ATP’s elite, Berdych’s steady results have impressed many, among them 18-time major champion Martina Navratilova. When asked if the public should be penciling in Berdych as a potential Grand Slam winner by Tennis Channel broadcast partner Mary Carillo during Berdych’s first-round win over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, Navratilova seemed confident that the Birdman has a major title in him.

“If not this year than certainly next year,” she said. “If he doesn’t win a Slam in his career I would be surprised. The trajectory he’s been on this last year, I think it definitely points that way.”

There have been 21 first-time major winners at Roland Garros since the Open Era began, but not since Rafael Nadal took over Paris in 2005 has it happened. The big four have claimed 37 of the last 40 major titles overall. On a more positive note, there were two first-time Slam winners in 2014 (Wawrinka and Cilic).

Navratilova added that Berdych might need a little help from the draw gods to get it done in Paris this year: “If the draw works out his way—he’s beaten everybody there is.”

Berdych will square off against France’s Benoit Paire in the third round. The former Roland Garros semifinalist could then face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the round of 16. After that, Kei Nishikori. Certainly, Berdych is far from being a favorite in Paris, but if he continues reaching semifinals, like he did in Australia this winter, he could very well make his second Grand Slam final before too long.

If Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic can do it, why can't Berdych?