Shelby Rogers roars into the the quarterfinals at the French Open

 Charleston’s First Lady of Tennis is getting worldwide exposure in one of tennis’ most hallowed venues.

Shelby Rogers, a native of Daniel Island, is having the time of her life in the city of Lights. Rogers, unheralded and World No. 108, reached the quarterfinals of the French Open, proving her talent, mettle and might have been the perfect combination to navigate the red clay of Roland Garros.

Rogers, who was a one-time ball girl when the Family Circle Cup rolled into town, became just the ninth player since 1983 to enter the tournament ranked outside the top 100 and reach the elite eight.

Not only that, Rogers is the first American other than Venus or Serena Williams to make the quarterfinals since 2005.

“I’m definitely outside of my comfort zone already, and I keep telling myself, you belong here, you belong here,” Rogers said. “You know, play your game, do the things that got you to this moment. Don’t change anything.”

On Sunday, Rogers needed only 81 minutes to dispose of 25th seed Irina-Camelia Begu, 6-3, 6-4 on Suzanne-Lenglen Court.

Rogers has been efficient in Paris, topping 17th seed Karolina Pliskova, Elena Vesnina and 10th seed Petra Kvitova in successive matches. It marks the first time the 23-year-old American has reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event.

“I think that’s a very important point on backing up a big win,” Rogers said. “I guess I have done that pretty much this whole tournament, starting with the first round, because that was a huge upset for me and kind of set the tone for the last few matches I have played.”

Rogers had previously advanced into the third round of a major tournament just once, losing in the third round of last year’s U.S. Open.

Rain wiped out play Monday at Roland Garros.

Rogers was scheduled to play No. 4 seed, Spaniard Garbine Muguruza of Spain in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. The match was still being played when the paper went to print.

“I’m ready to step up to the challenge, I think. I have nothing to lose. I have no pressure. It’s just been a great experience here, and I want to keep enjoying it and keep pushing myself,” Rogers said.