Time to sign off for today, but we’ll have Tumaini Carayol’s reports from Roland Garros online shortly. Join us tomorrow for the first day of quarter-finals – including Novak Djokovic v Rafa Nadal, under the lights. Until then ...
Iga Swiatek speaks: “She [Zheng] is playing amazing tennis, she surprised me with her shots – I’m glad I could come back after a pretty frustrating first set.” On her first meeting with Pegula on clay, she says her preparation will be “much the same as any other match. Jessica is a pretty dangerous opponent. I will just focus and play my tennis, and hopefully it’ll be OK!”
Swiatek beats Zheng 6-7, 6-0, 6-2!
Iga Swiatek gets the job done, and makes it 32 wins in a row – but relief might be the overriding emotion after losing the first set, then overcoming a third-set revival from an opponent struggling with injury. But the world No 1 advances, and will face Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals.
Swiatek 6-7, 6-0, 5-2 Zheng That’ll probably do it – from 30-0 down, Swiatek powers back to 30-all and then blasts a winner down the line. Zheng falters, a double-fault handing her opponent an insurance break.
Swiatek 6-7, 6-0, 4-2 Zheng Swiatek just has to keep ticking over here, try not to worry about her opponent’s fluctuating form, and serve out. She holds to love here, some clean hitting taking her two games from victory.
We’re at a strange place in this match – if you don’t count the tie-break, Swiatek has won 15 games to Zheng’s eight; but the qualifier is one break away from putting this match back on a knife-edge.
Swiatek 6-7, 6-0, 3-2 Zheng The qualifier is back in her groove now, earning a break point of her own with some hefty ground strokes – but netting a tame drop shot to pass up the chance. In the next game, Swiatek earns two break points, but is just a little too keen to get the job done – she rushes her shots, and Zheng holds.
Swiatek 6-7, 6-0, 2-1 Zheng Swiatek holds, but after losing eight games on the spin Zheng shows some terrific resistance in the next, hanging on in vain in a long rally, then landing an ace at break-point on her way to getting on the board. It’s not over yet!
The quarter-finals get under way from 12pm, Paris time, on Tuesday. Here’s the order of play on Chatrier:
Martina Trevisan vs Leylah Fernandez (17)
(18) Coco Gauff vs Sloane Stephens
(3) Alexander Zverev vs Carlos Alcaraz (6)
(1) Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal (5) – 8.45pm
Swiatek 6-7, 6-0, 1-0 Zheng Having got her leg strapped up, Zheng decides it’s not helping and peels the entire bandage off between points. That’s the second time I’ve seen that happen this week; Karolina Muchova did a similar thing. She is moving better but her game has fallen off some way from the first set, and Swiatek breaks again.
Sinner retires against Rublev, trailing 1-6, 6-4, 2-0! More disappointing injury news, as Jannik Sinner is forced to retire hurt, having made a dominant start against Andrey Rublev. The Russian will face either Marin Cilic or Daniil Medvedev, who meet in the night match.
Swiatek wins the second set 6-0! Well, this has been quite the contrast to the first set – after her medical timeout, Zheng is still moving awkwardly with her right thigh heavily strapped. She can’t pose Iga Swiatek many problems, and the world No 1 cruises to the set. All level – the question now is whether Zheng let that set go, or is too seriously hurt to compete for much longer.
Second set: Swiatek 6-7, 3-0 Zheng Is the top seed taking charge? She looks close to peak form here, breaking to love. Zheng calls for the trainer, pointing to a problem with her thigh.
Four-all in the second set between Rublev and Sinner, the Italian apparently managing those injury concerns.
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Second set: Swiatek 6-7, 2-0 Zheng Swiatek is getting nothing cheaply on serve, and another long game sees her survive a break point before securing the hold as Zheng sends a return long.
Thanks, Luke. Niall here picking up our coverage. Swiatek headed off the court after losing that breaker, taking a notebook with her. When she returns, she breaks Zheng straight away to start the second set – a slight dip from her opponent proves enough as the world No 1 regroups.
Elsewhere, Andrey Rublev has lost the first set 6-1 to Italy’s Jannik Sinner, but the Italian called for a medical timeout before the second set, which Rublev currently leads 3-2.
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Zheng wins the first set against Swiatek! 5-7 (7)
Hats off to her. Having saved five set points, Zheng finds one of her own. Swiatek just can’t shake her off! After a superb deep return of Swiatek’s serve and another fierce rally, Zheng eventually forces an error from her opponent, and she has the first set! That was a remarkable set of tennis and Swiatek’s 31-match winning run is looking in danger now. Unfortunately I have to leave it here, over to my colleagues to take you through the next bit.
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Tiebreak: Swiatek 5-5 Zheng
The first-set dream is still alive for Zheng! Both players hitting at a very high level now. Zheng keeps coming back when it looks like Swiatek has the measure of her.
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Tiebreak: Swiatek 5-2 Zheng
Another fierce exchange ends with the ball bouncing out off the net and Swiatek is closing in ...
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Zheng goes 2-0 up in the breaker but Swiatek roars back into a 4-2 lead.
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Tiebreak! Swiatek 6-6 Zheng
Zheng takes the game, what a cracking effort from her to withstand the relentless pressure that Swiatek is putting her under. From 3-0 up Swiatek is in a real dogfight here. It’s first to seven points in the tiebreaker for the first set, then.
Swiatek 6-5 Zheng
Now Zheng is forced to deuce on her own serve. She gains the advantage, only for a wonderful cross-court backhand by Swiatek to bring it back to deuce. On the next point, Swiatek pulls out pretty much every trick in the book, forcing Zheng back, but Zheng’s defence remains strong – she is finally worn down, though, and a volley from near the net brings up a fourth set point for the Polish player. Swiatek hits long for deuce, but another error by Zheng brings a fifth set point ... And Swiatek nets her return. Back to deuce again.
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Swiatek 6-5 *Zheng (* denotes next server)
Zheng is hitting with an impressive amount of freedom and determination. She takes it to deuce on the Swiatek serve and is consistently forcing the world No 1 on to the back foot. It feels like Swiatek isn’t going to be able to overpower Zheng as she would with some other opponents ... anyway, as if to demonstrate that she’s thinking on her feet, Swiatek closes out the game with a nice angled drop volley with Zheng lurking behind the baseline. Zheng must serve to stay in this first set, a far more protracted affair than had looked in store half an hour ago. She had two break points but Swiatek managed to save them.
*Swiatek 5-5 Zheng (* denotes next server)
Swiatek smokes a fantastic forehand winner down the line for 15-0 but then hits a fraction long for 15-15. More ferocious hitting and Swiatek takes it to 15-30 ... but Zheng isn’t intimidated, and battles back to 30-30 with some sweet hitting followed by a well executed drop shot ... Zheng closes out the game in confident fashion and she is the player in the ascendancy at the moment. From 3-0 to Swiatek this is now a proper match.
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Swiatek 5-4 *Zheng (* denotes next server)
Zheng, entirely deservedly, breaks back after exerting plenty of pressure on Swiatek’s serve – and saving three set points in the process. The players sit down for a drink and Swiatek looks up to her team again, clearly feeling uncomfortable with how this is unfolding just at the moment. It’s back on serve at 4-5.
Swiatek 5-3 Zheng
A couple of strange mishits from Swiatek early in the game, and one from Zheng too. Swiatek looks up at her team in bemusement, as if there has been some kind of system failure. But she gets straight back into it, forcing two set points with some powerful hitting. Zheng comes in behind a huge backhand and saves the first break point with a good volley and it’s soon deuce. However, Swiatek grapples back control and edges to set point again, her third, but she double faults for deuce yet again ...
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*Swiatek 5-3 Zheng (* denotes next server)
Swiatek coughs up a couple of uncharacteristic errors and Zheng holds fairly comfortably, meaning her opponent can serve for the first set.
Correction, it’s Swiatek 5-2 *Zheng, of course.
Swiatek 5-2 *Zheng (* denotes next server)
At 15-30 Zheng has a big opportunity, with a chance to hit a winner down the line with he opponent out of position, but she sends it long. She hits fractionally long again on the next point, brining up game point for Swiatek. Once again, Zheng misjudges and hits long. That is a good hold from 15-30 by Swiatek, and she celebrates with a suitably enthusiastic yell. Zheng must serve to stay in the set.
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*Swiatek 4-2 Zheng (* denotes next server)
Swiatek breaks again, as Zheng’s level drops a little, and the Polish world No 1 capitalises ruthlessly. She is back in control: can Zheng trouble her again in this next service game?
Tsitsipas, ever the charmer, had this to say following his defeat by Rune: “These kids are going to want to beat me badly because obviously they are chasing. I’m chasing too, but I’m at a different kind of position than they are. I’m hungry to beat them too. Now that they have beaten me I want payback.”
I hope he recognised the quality of Rune’s performance, too.
Swiatek 3-2 *Zheng (* denotes next server)
Seriously impressive from the Chinese player, who is starting to ask some serious questions of the world No 1 with some creative strokeplay. Swiatek gets a bad bounce on one point, and her frustration is obvious – perhaps exaggerated a little – but that shows the pressure she is being put under now. Zheng breaks back, and Swiatek has work to do.
Pegula beats Begu! 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
The American, seeded 11, progresses into the last eight after an early scare.
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*Swiatek 3-1 Zheng (* denotes next server)
An accomplished serve-volley rounds off a very impressive hold to love for Zheng.
The commentators tell us that in this winning run of Swiatek’s, she has inflicted no fewer than 14 sets to love, AKA bagels, on opponents. So Zheng will be happy to have avoided that – for now.
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Swiatek 3-0 *Zheng (* denotes next server)
Swiatek, having saved two break points in the opening game, speeds into a 3-0 advantage in the first set. I would say it’s going to be a long afternoon for Zheng, but that wouldn’t be accurate if things continue in the same vein.
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“What a victory for Holger Rune - who has one of the most old school Danish names possible. Only Dan Mark could have bettered it,” emails Lars Bøgegaard.
“Holger Danske (“Holger Danish” in English) is a mythical figure who wakes to his deed, when Denmark is in need. There’s a statue of him in the cellars of the castle Kronborg at Elsinore at the Øresund coast. And a Rune is an ancient Nordic letter used writing almost 2,000 years ago.
“Greetings from a proud compatriot in Copenhage.”
Thank you for getting in touch, Lars and thanks for the info. “Reading the runes” is an old saying for seeing into the future, in English, although it’s not one you hear much anymore.
A phenomenal win indeed for Holger Rune. Congratulations.
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I should already have mentioned that Rune, after his wonderful win against Tsitsipas, will take on Casper Ruud (8) in the last eight.
Pegula is 5-3 up and serving for the match against Begu on Suzanne Lenglen.
Swiatek 1-0 *Zheng (* denotes next server)
Straight away it is clear that Zheng (ranked 74) isn’t intimidated by this occasion, or this opponent. She is going for her shots, and grabs a break point at 30-40 after a long rally. Swiatek, however, saves it with a fine cross-court winner, launching into a big forehand.
Zheng nabs another break point after Swiatek dumps the ball in the net, but Zheng returns the favour and it’s back to deuce. Zheng hits long on the next point, for advantage Swiatek, and the Polish No 1 works her opponent around the court to hold before hitting a winner down the line for 1-0.
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Swiatek and Zheng are starting as we speak. The majority of the fans, having been captivated by Rune’s stunning win, have left the arena for a quick break. But no doubt they will be flooding back in soon.
Pegula (11) and Begu are duking it out in the third, decisive set of their fourth-round encounter on Suzanne Lenglen. Pegula is a break up and serving at 3-1.
Next up on Philippe Chatrier, of course, we have Swiatek v Zheng. The Polish women’s world No 1 has won an incredible 31 matches straight. Is there a more in-form, effective sportsperson on the planet at the moment?
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Rune speaks: “I have an unbelievable feeling right now ... I was so nervous at the end but the crowd was amazing for me the whole match, and the whole tournament. I’m so grateful to be playing on this court.
“I was very nervous but also at the same time, I know if I go away from the [planned] tactic against such a player like Tsitsipas I’m going to lose for sure. I told myself just to keep in it, and play my plan also in the tough moments and it worked out so well at the end ... it’s so great to still be here.
“It was part of the plan to be aggressive as possible, play fast, and take time away from him ... and I really like playing the drop shots and it worked out pretty good, so I’m happy.
“I get so emotional when I talk about family and coaches ... but you know, we’re still in the quarter-finals, we didn’t win the tournament yet. My Mum, my whole team up there is why I’m here. Without them I wouldn’t be here today ... so thank you, guys.”
Lovely stuff - what a performance from the 19-year-old. Fearless is the wrong word, perhaps, but what bravery!
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Reaction from Rune coming up ...
Rune beats Tsitsipas! 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4!
Another break point for Tsitsipas. Rune hammers an ace down the middle to save it. Rune comes to the net, next point, and smashes, and Tsitsipas produces a brilliant defensive stroke to keep the rally going, but Rune wins the point eventually and brings up match point ... Tsitsipas hits long on the next rally, and Rune is into the last eight at Roland Garros! Remarkable.
He is the first Dane to make the last eight in Paris since 1925, Simon Reed tells us on Eurosport.
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Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 5-4 Tsitsipas
A double fault to open this crucial game for the youngster. He doesn’t look happy with that ... but then he produces out a wonderful winner down the line which is too good for Tsitsipas, even though he’s only a couple of metres away from it. On the next point, another fierce exchange, Tsitsipas nets from the baseline, to make it 30-15. The Greek hits straight back by crafting a nice forehand winner for the corner, wrong-footing Rune, and it’s 30-30. Rune then tries a winner down the line, which he has converted so often today, but it’s wide and break back point for Tsitsipas.
No matter ... Rune bangs an inside-out forehand for the corner and brings it back to deuce. Advantage, again, comes for Tsitsipas but Rune crushes a massive first serve which his opponent only just manages to get a racket on. What’s next?
*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 5-4 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
An easy hold for Tsitsipas, who isn’t going to roll over. And yet, Rune has the chance once again to serve for the biggest win of his career. Can he hold his nerve?
Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 5-3 *Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
Tsitsipas produces a good drop shot to open the game for 0-15. Rune finds the net from behind the baseline, cross-court, for 0-30. And Tsitsipas eventually breaks back! Rune isn’t home yet. There is still work to do. But he will have another service game for the match, that much is sure.
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*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 5-2 Tsitsipas
Just confirming the score. It’s 5-2 to Rune in the fourth and he’s a game away ...
*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 5-2 Tsitsipas
Another couple of sloppy errors helps it to 15-30 – and then a smart point from Rune brings him two break points, effectively two match points ... and Tsitsipas hits long! The quality of Rune’s hitting is just too much for him. The Dane is hitting deep and long and seeming to find the most awkward spots in the court for his opponent. He is one game away from a place in the last eight of the French Open!
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Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 4-2 *Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas forces it to deuce on Rune’s serve. Then he saves a game point. Rune produces an intelligent winner next up, twice heading for his opponent’s forehand side and wrong-footing him when he was moving back to the centre of the court. He then clips a lovely looping winner down the line and holds aloft one hand as he seals the game. He was tested there and he came through. His Mum applauds from up in the stands.
Pegula is 4-1 up on Begu in their second set. Begu won the first 6-4.
*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 3-2 Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas is not a happy camper. He looks up at his team when it goes to 0-30. Rune has a look at his second serve but the return isn’t the best and Tsitsipas cracks a clean angled winner to the corner. However, Rune gets back in his face on the next point, working him around the court, and makes it 15-40. And then! Rune climbs into a massive first-serve return which is so powerful that Tsitsipas can only into edge it into the clay beneath his feet. Another break! Rune is running hot! He only needs to hold serve for the biggest win of his career.
Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 2-2 *Tsitsipas
A beautifully judged drop shot from Rune early in the game which Tsitsipas can only admire. Then a stunning drop volley, down low, from the Dane which Tsitsipas starts to move for but realises early on that it’s a lost cause. Tsitsipas then tries to whip a big forehand from the baseline but the ball comes off the frame of his racket and flies into the crowd. Rune holds.
*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 1-2 Tsitsipas
A high level now. Rune has three break points – Tsitsipas saves them all – and eventually holds. That was a fierce deuce battle, though, and Rune is still in the ascendancy. Tsitsipas has raised himself since that limp end to the third set, but he didn’t really have any choice.
Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 1-1 *Tsitsipas
At 15-15 Rune goes to the drop shot again. Tsitsipas runs it down but Rune simple belts a double-handed backhand pass down the line. Rune makes it 40-15 with a similar shot which kisses the line, although Tsitsipas is nowhere near this one ... and the 19-year-old rounds off a very impressive hold with a forehand winner angled to the side of the court, which his opponent has not the faintest hope of getting near. Impressive.
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*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 0-1 Tsitsipas
It goes to 30-30 but Tsitsipas emphatically holds serve in the end, finishing it with a powerful forehand, cross-court. He has a foothold in the fourth and needs to grab this chance to reset.
“I think Rune can win this,” says Jo Durie on commentary, which seems fairly obvious given he’s 2-1 up in sets. Tsitsipas fell apart at the end of that third set and he needs to have a word with himself here.
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On Suzanne Lenglen, Begu (ranked 63) wins the first set, 6-4, against Pegula, who is the 11th seed and ranked 11 in the world.
Rune wins the third!
Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 Tsitsipas
A double from Rune makes it 15-30 in his opponent’s favour. He drags it back to 30-30 and then Tsitsipas hits a touch long, after a more protracted rally to bring up set point. An even longer rally, in which the momentum sways this way and that, ends with Tsitsipas dumping a backhand into the net! Rune has the third set! This kid has something about him.
*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 5-3 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
Tsitsipas holds, although not entirely convincingly, and now Rune can serve for the set.
On Suzanne Lenglen and in the women’s singles, Pegula (11) is level at 4-4 in the first set with Begu, both with a break.
Rune 7-5, 3-6, 5-2 *Tsitsipas
Another unforced error from Tsitsipas to open the game ... Rune then tries a booming forehand followed up by a drop, but ditches the latter into the net. Soon after there is a hideous mishit, off his backhand, by Tsitsipas that sails long. Rune fancies ending the game with a drop shot but he gets that wrong again. That was a mistake - because the ball isn’t coming back from the baseline with much authority on the Greek’s side. And indeed, on the next point, Tsitsipas hits wide and Rune is a game away from claiming the third set.
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*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 4-2 Tsitsipas
It moves to 0-30 after that opening double fault ... and then to 0-40 after another double fault! Is he feeling the pressure? It certainly looks that way ... all the more so when Tsitsipas tonks a forehand wide and gifts his young opponent a break. Surprising, very surprising.
Rune 7-5, 3-6, 3-2 *Tsitsipas
Rune holds, comfortably, dropping a single point. He has a quick chat with his team and family during the changeover. Tsitsipas must serve to level it up. But he double-faults to start the sixth game of the third set ...
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Thanks Will. Hello again everyone.
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*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 2-2 Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas has really started to dominate on serve. He wins another game to love. It’s now back over to Luke McLaughlin to see you through the rest of the match.
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Rune 7-5, 3-6, 2-1 Tsitsipas*
The pair exchange points before a salvo of slices ends with Tsitsipas underhitting a shot. That seems to deflate him and Rune sees out the game from there.
*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 1-1 Tsitsipas
It’s Tsitsipas’s turn to look unsure of himself, producing a couple of narrow misses before Rune sends a pinpoint shot to the margins to take the game to deuce. The Greek salvages things with a couple of thumping serves.
Rune 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 Tsitsipas*
Rune starts on the back foot in the third set but, having dropped a couple of points, he gradually wrests control of the game. A backhand winner down the line reinvigorates his confidence and he holds after Tsitsipas drags a return wide.
Second set: Rune 7-5, 3-6 Tsitsipas
What a match this is turning out to be. Tsitsipas wins his final service game to love, ending with a flourish in the form of another big ace.
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Rune 7-5, 3-5 Tsitsipas* (*denotes next server)
Rune is drawn into another slugging match, misjudging a drop shot which Tsitsipas sends whistling to the baseline. Rune then sends the ball long, giving his opponent a break point.
Tsitsipas takes it eagerly, coaxing Rune into a loose shot which hits the net. He’s now in a commanding position to win the second set.
*Rune 7-5, 3-4 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
Tsitsipas has upped his game here and, all of a sudden, he seems to have some momentum. He drops a single point over the course of another meaty service game.
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Rune 7-5, 3-3 Tsitsipas* (*denotes next server)
Rune has a wobble having initially looked like he would hold with ease, spooning several shots into the air as Tsitsipas takes him to deuce. To his credit, the young Dane regains his focus and recovers well.
*Rune 7-5, 2-3 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
Tsitsipas drops one point on the way to another hold, finishing things off with a mighty ace.
Rune 7-5, 2-2 Tsitsipas* (*denotes next server)
Rune defends well on serve. Who’s going to blink first in the second set?
Ruud beats Hurkacz! 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
It’s all over on Court Suzanne Lenglen, where Ruud has secured his place in the quarter-finals.
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*Rune 7-5, 1-2 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
Rune shows impressive shot selection and fantastic accuracy to earn three break points. Tsitsipas defends all three, winning the first with a well-placed drop shot before coming to the net to smash a couple of winners after dragging Rune around the court like a ragdoll.
At deuce, Tsitsipas completes the turnaround. Still, he expended a lot of energy there.
Rune 7-5, 1-1 Tsitsipas* (*denotes next server)
Rune’s first service game of the second set also passes without incident. He looks slightly lighter on his feet than his opponent at the moment.
Meanwhile, over on Court Suzanne Lenglen, Ruud is now 5-3 up against Hurkacz and serving to see out the match.
*Rune 7-5, 0-1 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
Tsitsipas starts the second set by breezing through a straightforward service game, though he and Rune engage in several more spirited rallies before it draws to a close.
First set: Rune 7-5 Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas doesn’t go down without a fight. At 30-15, Rune plays an exquisite drop shot which falls just inside the line. He then squanders two set points to allow his opponent to take it to deuce.
The pair play a ludicrous rally which ends with Rune leathering a winner across the court. He finally sees out the first set with a forehand smash after another vicious exchange.
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*Rune 6-5 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
Wow. Rune breaks with a fantastic forehand passing shot and he leads in the first set. He can serve for it. This is brewing very nicely indeed.
Anyway, I’m off for some lunch, and my colleague Will Magee will guide you through the next hour.
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*Rune 5-5 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
Controversy, and frustration for Tsitsipas, as a game-deciding ball that looks wide from Rune is called in. The umpire comes down to check the mark. Tsitsipas has his hands on his hips. But hawkeye appears to show that the ball just touched the line. Simon Reed on commentary was also convinced it was wide. But there it is. We are all square again.
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Hurkacz moves a break up in the fourth, against Ruud. The Polish player looked so off the pace early on as Ruud moved into a 2-0 lead in sets. But it looks like that one could go the distance on Suzanne Lenglen.
Rune 4-5 *Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
Tsitsipas, the losing finalist in the men’s singles last year, stamps on a glimmer of a break for Rune with three accomplished points, and he is a game away from winning the first set.
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Rune 4-4 *Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
Tsitsipas has his chances in this latest Rune service game, but the younger player holds on and levels it up at 4-4. It feels like a gripping match is in store here if the 19-year-old Dane can maintain this level.
Ruud 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 *Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
Ruud, as you would only expect, is being made to work for what may be his first quarter-final spot at a grand slam. Hurkacz forces him to deuce on his serve but the Norwegian edges ahead, eventually, in the fourth.
*Rune 3-4 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
The Greek player hunts down a short ball from Rune and cracks a decisive winner to the corner, following another fine rally, and he edges back in front in the first set.
Hurkacz has won the third set against Ruud, 6-3! That didn’t look very likely an hour ago. But he is back in it: Ruud 6-2, 6-3, 3-6 Hurkacz as they head into the fourth.
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Rune 3-3 *Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
Tsitsipas pulls out of an attempted smash when the sun gets in his eyes, as part of a mad rally to kick off the latest game. Rune holds despite being taken to 30-30.
*Rune 2-3 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
The 19-year-old breaks back! A double fault is followed by a very sloppy forehand from Tsitsipas, which he sends wide, and Rune has a break back.
Ruud 6-2, 6-3, 2-4 Hurkacz
Hurkacz, the 12th seed, looks to be on his way to grabbing a set back against the Norwegian.
Rune 1-3 *Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
The Greek No 4 seed runs down a short ball from Rune, tucks it away cross court, and forges ahead by a break in the first set.
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The women’s world No 1, Iga Swiatek, is scheduled next on Philippe Chatrier. She will play Qinwen Zheng, who is unseeded and ranked No 74 in the world.
*Rune 1-2 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
It stays with serve after three games of the first set on Philippe Chatrier, but this is shaping up as if it may be a fascinating encounter.
Hurkacz, meanwhile, has broken Ruud in the third set and leads 3-2, so he may just make a game of it.
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Rune 1-1 *Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
Rune’s backhand is a great weapon. He doesn’t look intimidated in the slightest here. He is the first Danish player to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros in 63 years.
*Rune 0-1 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)
The Greek player kicks off with a straightforward hold. Rune, for the record, has already achieved his best result at a grand slam tournament. He’s been knocked out in the first round of the Australian Open and US Open, and hasn’t been to Wimbledon. He’s only 19, though, there is plenty of time. He also won the junior title here at Roland Garros in 2019.
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Ruud 6-2, 6-2, 1-1 *Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
A regulation hold for Ruud.
*Ruud 6-2, 6-2, 0-1 Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
The Polish player holds to open the third set. It’s still not entirely clear how he is going to find a gap in the armoury of Ruud, though.
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As it’s looking 99 per cent certain that Ruud is going to see off Hurkacz, I’m going to focus on Rune v Tsitsipas (4) in a couple of minutes. They have just come out on Philippe Chatrier and are warming up.
Second set: Ruud 6-2, 6-2 Hurkacz
Hurkacz manages to force it to 15-30. Ruud brings it back level with an accomplished bounce smash into the corner. Another unforced error gives his Norwegian opponent break point, and the 23-year-old tucks away a regulation volley, coming into the net, and he is one set away from his first grand slam quarter-final.
Kudermetova beats Keys! 1-6, 6-3, 6-1
That’s some comeback by the Russian 29th seed against Keys, seeded 22, who blew her off the court in the first set. The 25-year-old Kudermetova reaches her first grand slam quarter-final, where she will face her compatriot, Daria Kasatkina.
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*Ruud 6-2, 4-2 Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
A hold of serve apiece for Ruud and Hurkacz.
A date, and time, for your diary. The seismic clash between Djokovic and Nadal will take place tomorrow night, says our correspondent Tumaini Carayol.
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*Ruud 6-2, 3-1 Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
Hurkacz holds to love, so that’s something, but Ruud remains on course to reach the quarter-finals of a grand slam for the first time unless there is a marked shift in momentum.
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Kudermetova 1-6, 6-3, 3-0 Keys
Madison Keys dominated the first set – but is now staring down the barrel at 3-0 to Kudermetova in the deciding set.
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Ruud 6-2, 3-0 *Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
Very tricky to see how Hurkacz can get back into this one. Ruud is hitting his forehand with total authority, making down-the-line winners look easy, and in this latest game he comes into the net and clips a textbook angled volley which Hurkacz cannot hope to get close to.
*Ruud 6-2, 2-0 Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
The row with the umpire, predictably, didn’t do Hurkacz any good, and he’s been broken for a third time by his tenacious Norwegian opponent.
Ruud 6-2, 1-0 Hurkacz
Ruud has yet another break point. Hurkacz is now having a row with the umpire having been given a warning over taking too long to serve.
Djokovic v Nadal and Zverev v Alcaraz is a pretty fearsome looking top half of the men’s quarter-final draw, it has to be said.
First set: Ruud 6-2 Hurkacz
The Norwegian, on this kind of form, is going to breeze into the last eight. Hurkacz’s body language isn’t great at the moment and he needs to lift himself if he’s going to make a match of this.
Kudermetova closes out the second set against Keys, leaving the scores at 1-6, 6-3 heading into the decisive third set.
Ruud 5-2 *Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
Dominant stuff from Ruud again, whose movement in particular is noticeably so much better than Hurkacz’s. The Polish 12th seed has to serve to stay in the first set.
On Philippe Chatrier, Keys has taken Kudermetova to deuce as her opponent serves for the second set at 5-2.
*Ruud 4-2 Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
Hurkacz finally holds serve at the third time of asking.
Emma Raducanu will make her first competitive appearance in England since her US Open triumph at Nottingham next week. The 19-year-old’s second-round exit from the French Open means she will start her grasscourt campaign a week earlier.
Raducanu and Dan Evans have been given wildcards for the Rothesay Open Nottingham, which begins next Monday.
Raducanu said: “I’m excited to return to Nottingham and it will be a great opportunity to play in front of British crowds for the first time this year. This event will always be special to me as I played my first tournament on the WTA Tour here last June and I can’t wait to go back.”
The British No 2 Evans will join the likes of former top-10 players Jack Sock and Fernando Verdasco, as well British duo Liam Broady and Jay Clarke, in the ATP event.
“The grass court season is always a special time for British players and I can’t wait to get back to Nottingham and play on courts that are always in such good condition,” said Evans. “The home fans are always vocal in their backing and hopefully I can give them something to cheer.” (PA)
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Ruud 4-1 *Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
The Ruud forehand is a thing of beauty, for sure, and he’s starting to warm it up. His movement around the court, as well as the quality of his shot-making, is superior in this first set, in which he’s built a significant advantage. Hurkacz doesn’t look settled or happy right now.
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Kudermetova is staying in control of the second set against Keys, still a break up at 5-2, with Keys serving to stay in it. Keys won the first set 6-1.
*Ruud 3-1 Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
Another break for Ruud! Hurkacz is simply not at the races at the moment, and having progressed to the fourth round without being broken once, it’s now happened twice in a row.
Ruud 2-1 *Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
Funny old game, isn’t it? A couple of errors creep in for Ruud and his Polish opponent breaks straight back in this first set.
*Ruud 2-0 Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
That’s the first time in the tournament that Hurkacz has been broken, so it’s quite a statement from 23-year-old Norwegian. Hurkacz is second best, by a long way, early on in this match. Ruud looks far more comfortable on this surface. But it’s early days.
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Kudermetova is fighting back against Keys – she is 3-1 up in the second, having lost the first set 6-1.
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Ruud 1-0 *Hurkacz (* denotes next server)
A lovely combination of volley and sliced drop shot brings Hurkacz a point in the first game of the match. But he dumps another volley carelessly into the net and it’s an easy enough opening old for Ruud.
Ruud v Hurkacz are up next on Suzanne Lenglen and are coming out on to court now.
It’s their first meeting and it should be an interesting one. Ruud is seeded eight, Hurkacz 12. I witnessed Hurkacz taking Federer apart at Wimbledon last year – when he’s good, he’s very good indeed.
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First set: Kudermetova 1-6 Keys
On Eurosport, Simon Reed describes that first set as “a demolition job” by the 2018 semi-finalist at Roland Garros.
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“I often wake up wondering where I am.”
Brittany Collens, ranked 1,078 in the world, writes about the life lower down the rankings on the global tennis tour:
Kasatkina speaks: “I like to play on clay ... I was a but nervous before the start of the tournament, but I’m very happy with the way I’m playing ... Camila is very aggressive, it’s tough to play against her, but the conditions were good for me today, it was slower, so I had more time ... Zero mistakes was my strategy. Normally I don’t look at the draw ... I’m excited about the quarter-finals.”
She will face the winner of Veronika Kudermetova (seeded 29) v Madison Keys (22). Keys is 5-1 up in the first set there on Philippe Chatrier.
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Kasatkina beats Giorgi, 6-2, 6-2!
The Russian moves into the last eight for the first time in four years, the second time she has reached that stage. That was an accomplished all-round performance. Giorgi had her moments, and wasn’t afraid to take on her shots, but could not build any kind of momentum.
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Madison Keys is 3-1 up in the first against Veronika Kudermetova, over on Philippe Chatrier.
Kasatkina* 6-2, 5-2 Giorgi (*denotes next server)
Kasatkina hits another couple of excellent returns and puts Giorgi under some pressure, but her opponent holds, and forces the Russian to serve it out.
Kasatkina 6-2, 5-1 *Giorgi (*denotes next server)
Giorgi has to serve to stay in it.
It’s a bit cooler in Paris than it was over the weekend. 16C and sunny at the moment, with a high of 18C expected and a few more clouds later on.
Meanwhile ...
Kasatkina* 6-2, 4-1 Giorgi (*denotes next server)
The Russian cracks a clean winner down the line to bring up a double break in the second set. She pumps her fist and looks up to her team in the stands. Kasatkina is, barring an incredible and unlikely comeback from her opponent, heading into the quarter-finals.
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Kasatkina 6-2, 3-1 *Giorgi (*denotes next server)
An astonishing return from out wide by Giorgi saves a game point, and warming to her theme, she cracks another massive winner to bring her own advantage. Kasatkina’s defence is top-class again, though, Giorgi hits wide, and although the Italian forces another break point, Kasatkina eventually holds and roars with delight as she does so.
As it stands Kasatkina v Giorgi is the only match in progress across the women’s and men’s singles. Kudermetova v Keys should be coming up any second on Philippe Chatrier, though.
Kasatkina* 6-2, 2-1 Giorgi (*denotes next server)
This is shaping up to be a regulation victory for the Russian. At break point, Giorgi takes on a booming forehand angled across court but hits long. Kasatkina is now a break and a set up.
Kasatkina 6-2, 1-1 Giorgi* (*denotes next server)
In contrast to Giorgi’s opening service game in the second set, Kasatkina holds relatively comfortably and the onus is on the Italian to put some pressure on her opponent, somehow. The Russian generally looks far more comfortable and composed, though, despite the fact that Giorgi is winding up the occasional crushing, unreturnable winner.
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Kasatkina* 6-2, 0-1 Giorgi
The Italian has a chance to start the second set positively on her own serve, and she does so, despite being taken to deuce a couple of times and saving a break point, with one particularly fine down-the-line return from the Russian causing problems ... Kasatkina then drills a seemingly effortless winner into the corner, for deuce, and works her way through one of the longest rallies of the match with brilliant defence to force her own advantage. Giorgi saves that, though, and then Kasatkina hits long, and it’s 1-0 to the 28th seed.
First set: Kasatkina 6-2 Giorgi
A limp wide return by Giorgi and an ace tonked down the middle by Kasatkina helps to give the Russian 40-0 ... and an artful forehand down the line leaves her opponent motionless. That’s the set, comfortably, for the 25-year-old No 20 seed.
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Kasatkina* 5-2 Giorgi (*denotes next server)
No one can accuse Giorgi of not going for her shots here. And she’s hit some belters, but a frequent lack of control has helped to hand Kasatkina a double break in the first.
Rafael Nadal has played 112 tennis matches at Roland Garros over the course of his career and he has somehow lost just three times on these courts. But an even more absurd measure of his total dominance lies in how few players have even managed to push him close to the edge; to have made him truly doubt. Before Sunday afternoon, only twice over his 17 years had any opponent extended him to five sets at the French Open.
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Kasatkina 4-2 Giorgi* (*denotes next server)
A deuce battle royale is just concluded for the sixth game of the set. Both players had chances to win it with advantages here and there ... and Giorgi just unloaded another tremendous winner to force it back to deuce yet again. But Kasatkina finds a way and maintains the initiative.
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The well-worked point that took it to 3-1 for Kasatkina.
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Kasatkina* 3-2 Giorgi (*denotes next server)
Giorgi holds, and she is certainly starting to see the ball better after a slightly sluggish start, climbing into some big groundstrokes and forcing Kasatkina on to the defensive.
Kasatkina 3-1 Giorgi* (*denotes next server)
Giorgi finds her range, attacking her opponent’s wobbly second serve and producing a few scorching returns to force it to deuce. There was also a double fault from Kasatkina as she suddenly comes under pressure from some powerful, sweet strokeplay from the other side of the net. However, a well-crafted point eventually brings her the game and maintains her advantage of a break in the first set.
Kasatkina* 2-1 Giorgi (*denotes next server)
The Russian 20th seed has started strongly. She broke her Italian opponent in the first game, and held serve in the second, before forcing deuce in the third game of the first set. But Giorgi is on the board, thanks to a lovely forehand angled down the line from the back of the court.
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It was a massive weekend of sport in France with Real Madrid rope-a-dopeing Liverpool to the Champions League trophy in Paris and La Rochelle bludgeoning to victory against Leinster with a late try in the Champions Cup final in Marseille.
Last night, Rafal Nadal was taken to five sets at the French Open for the only the third time in his career by Felix Auger-Aliassime ... and the hits keep on coming today at Roland Garros: the world No 1 and top seed Iga Swiatek is due on court against Qinwen Zheng of China at 2.15pm UK time.
Before that, Veronika Kudermetova (29) will face off against Madison Keys (22) in the first match on Philippe Chatrier, in the women’s singles, and Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) will be next up against Holger Rune on the same court in the men’s. Casper Ruud (8) and Hubert Hurkacz (12) will also be duking it out in the men’s singles in an hour or so. Andrey Rublev (7) v Jannik Sinner (11) is another eye-catching match in the men’s draw which is scheduled to start at 2.30pm UK time.
Marin Cilic (20) v Daniil Medvedev (2) will be coming up tonight, too, but first things first: Daria Kasatkina (20) has just kicked off against Camila Giorgi (28) on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Let’s do this.
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