That’s it for our live coverage today. Tumaini Carayol will be reporting on the women’s and men’s action this evening, so keep ’em peeled for his stories.
Here, if you missed it, is a news story on the court case concerning Alexander Zverev:
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Danilovic v Vondrousova (5), Gauff (3) v Cocciaretto and Tauson v Jabeur (8) are confirmed fourth-round ties in the women’s singles.
Potapova v Wang are playing a deciding set to determine who will face Swiatek.
Hurkacz 6-3, 2-2 Shapovalov is a latest score in the men’s singles.
How does Swiatek feel? “I don’t know. Really good. Marie is a difficult player, she’s really good at defence, every ball will come back. I wanted to stay solid and not rush it, and I’m happy that I did that.
“I feel good physically. I had a day off yesterday. I don’t feel like this match [against Osaka] stayed with me but maybe we’ll see towards the end of the tournament … I was happy I could close it in two sets. For sure it’s a good thing.”
Where has Swiatek visited in Paris this time? “A huge park on a hill … there’s a great view on a hill … you can see the Eiffel Tower and everything.”
But she’s not sure where it is. Neither is the interviewer Fabrice Santoro.
Now, Santoro gets the crowd to sing happy birthday to Swiatek. She looks happy. “Thank you,” she says. “Thank you very much.”
Interesting, perhaps, that Swiatek didn’t go on a PR offensive after the other night and start off by thanking the crowd. (She asked them to be quiet during the rallies after beating Osaka.) But no matter, they love her anyway, and they even sang happy birthday. Good scenes.
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Swiatek beats Bouzkova! 6-4, 6-2
Swiatek gives Bouzkova an awful runaround on the first point. The Czech bravely runs after everything but is eventually worn down. Next up, Bouzkova again stays positive, keeps taking on her shots, and Swiatek flops a forehand into the net for 15-15.
Swiatek makes it 30-15, urging herself on to get this wrapped up. Another belting rally follows but Bouzkova blinks first and it’s two more match points for the No 1 seed … Bouzkova takes no prisoners, though, despite teetering on the brink, and clubs a big forehand winner into the open court to save the first of two match points. What a fighter!
Bouzkova keeps her head above water somehow on the next point and Swiatek, looking for the finisher, goes wide on her forehand side. Deuce! A classy winner to the corner from the Pole and she shakes her fist with delight and determination after setting up a fourth match point … and there it is! A stunning forehand down the line and Bouzkova’s resistance is finally broken. There is a cursory handshake between the players and Swiatek is into the last 16.
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Hurkacz 6-3 Shapovalov was the first-set score on Simonne-Mathieu.
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*Swiatek 6-4, 5-2 Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
Bouzkova is winding up her forehand and giving herself plenty of room to free her arms and get through the ball. She wins the first point thanks to a rare error by her opponent but Swiatek then bats an controlled winner to the corner for 15-15 … then she chases down a short ball and clips winner No 32 of the match for 15-30.
Bouzkova aces – her fifth – to make it 30-30, but then errs wide on Swiatek’s forehand side. The umps gets out of his chair to check it, but it is indeed match point for Swiatek … There is a lengthy rally as the last 16 looms into view for Swiatek, and the Pole looks in total control of the point, but then sends an attempted forehand winner wide.
That’s deuce – and Bouzkova soon has advantage after another spirited rally from the baseline. She hits an ace, but it’s a let, but she wins the game anyway and her family in the stands applaud her spirit. Along with the rest of the fans, too.
Swiatek will serve for the match.
Swiatek 6-4, 5-1 *Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
Now a slice of luck for Swiatek who sees a forehand hit the net and flop over the net. Bouzkova gets there but can’t scoop it over the net. Then a massive forehand to the corner by Swiatek buys her an opportunity to tuck away an assured wrong-footer with Bouzkova trying desperately to regain position in the middle of the court.
It’s business time for Swiatek who is hitting the ball crisply and going about her work with laser-like focus. As the commentators just pointed out, also, the crowd have observed her request for silence during the rallies. She is one game away from the last 15 – Bouzkova must serve to stay in it.
*Swiatek 6-4, 4-1 Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
Not so fast, says Bouzkova, who puts together a fine service game and gets on the board in the second set. She seals it to 30 with a cracking forehand winner angled down the line … and one of the previous points was a somewhat fortunate winner that ballooned up off the net cord and clipped the line. Great reaction from Bouzkova as she watched the ball bounce in. And now she’s troubled the scorers in the second set when the easier option was to cave in.
Swiatek 6-4, 4-0 *Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
The schedulers will be happy, I suppose, if Swiatek rounds this one off sharpish.
Hurkacz 3-0 *Shapovalov (*denotes next server)
Another Polish player, Hubert Hurkacz, is off to a flyer against Denis Shapovalov. A break up and sitting pretty in the first set. Hurkacz is seeded eighth.
Swiatek 6-4, 3-0 Bouzkova
That’s a double break up for the world No 1. There is no coming back from that.
Jabeur beats Fernandez! 6-4, 7-6 (5)
All over. Jabeur meets Tauson next up in the last 16. Fernandez walks off quickly looking ashen-faced.
Swiatek is 2-0 and a set up against Bouzkova, meanwhile.
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Fernandez 4-6, 6-6 Jabeur
Jabeur quickly makes it 0-2 including a mini break.
Back to 1-2, then Jabeur seems caught in two minds when coming into the net, ends up sending a short ball into Fernandez’s hitting zone … the Canadian belts a pass to win it, with Jabeur throwing her racket in its general direction in a futile show of defiance. That’s 2-2, then 3-2 for Fernandez, but she finds the net on the next point and it’s back to 3-3 …
Jabeur unleashes a magnificent down-the-line forehand for 4-4, then produces a poor error with an attempted drop. Fernandez is two points away but then mangles a big forehand off the frame of her racket and it’s back to all square at 5-5.
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Second set tiebreak! Fernandez 4-6, 6-6 Jabeur
A nervy breaker awaits. Can Fernandez stay in this?
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Swiatek 6-4, 1-0 *Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
Swiatek is a break up already in the second set. Ominous signs for Bouzkova’s Roland Garros campaign.
Tauson beats Kenin! 6-2, 7-5
Tauson of Denmark will await the winner of Fernandez v Jabeur in the last 16.
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Fernandez 4-6, 6-5 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Now, on Suzanne Lenglen, Fernandez is doing it the only way she knows how, by consistently attacking and taking on her shots. At 40-15, mind you, Jabeur caresses a world-class clean winner to the corner and wrestles it back to 40-30. Jabeur hits wide next up, and the impressively spirited figure of Fernandez edges back ahead, forcing Jabeur to serve to stay in the set.
Swiatek wins the first set v Bouzkova! 6-4
Far from perfect but she got the job done. Bouzkova is a long way from applying the kind of pressure that the power of Naomi Osaka did in the second round for Swiatek.
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Hurkacz, Dimitrov, Tsitsipas, Auger-Alliassime and Alcaraz are all still to come today in the men’s singles. For some reason the scheduling means we’ve got a plethora of women’s matches now soon to be followed by a load of men’s this evening.
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Potapova 7-5, 6-6 Wang
Into a second-set tiebreak on Court 14.
Vondrousova beats Paquet! 6-1, 6-3
Job done for the Wimbledon champion.
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Fernandez 4-6, 5-4 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
The Tunisian will have to serve to stay in the this second set.
Swiatek 5-3 *Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
At 30-30 Swiatek is running down a short ball and ready to hit what looks a simple winner. But she inexplicably nets it, handing a break point to her opponent. On the next point, Swiatek stays aggressive – too aggressive? – and sends a big attempted forehand long. That’s a break back for Bouzkova and in truth it was gifted to her by Swiatek in uncharacteristic fashion.
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*Swiatek 5-2 Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
A break for the Polish world No 1 and Swiatek can serve for the opening set.
Fernandez 4-6, 4-3 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
The Canadian edges back ahead and the players sit down for a drink and a bite to eat. It’s still cloudy in Paris, but much drier than we’ve seen so far this week. Jabeur will serve – can Fernandez force a deciding set here?
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Swiatek 4-2 *Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
And another hold for Swiatek. Can she apply pressure on her opponent’s serve?
*Fernandez 4-6, 3-3 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
All square after another hold for the Tunisian on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
*Swiatek 3-2 Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
Bouzkova holds. She’s got 67% first serves in to 73% for Swiatek.
Fernandez 4-6, 3-2 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
With some trademark creativity in her shot-making, Jabeur gets a break back, and we’re back on serve in the second set.
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Swiatek 3-1 *Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
Swiatek is moving through the gears in satisfactory fashion, consolidating that break of serve with ease. It’s going to be a tough day at the office for Bouzkova.
*Fernandez 4-6, 3-1 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
The Canadian now moves a break up in the second set. We’ve got a ball game on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
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*Swiatek 2-1 Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
Bouzkova coughs up a double fault and with it a break of serve for the Polish world No 1. It’s been a bright start by the Czech, or at least it had been before that.
Fernandez 4-6, 2-1 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Fernandez, who you will remember lost to Emma Raducanu in the US Open final in 2021, is forced to work to hold her serve early in the second. She duly does so.
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Swiatek 1-1 *Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
The Polish world No 1, who has won 14 matches in a row, holds to 15, sealing the game with an authoritative winner to the corner.
Tauson 6-2, 2-1 Kenin and Potapova 7-5, 3-2 Wang are a couple of other live scores.
*Swiatek 0-1 Bouzkova (*denotes next server)
The Prague-born Czech player rounds off an opening hold with an ace. A positive start. Now Swiatek gets to serve, though.
Paquet 1-6, 0-3 *Vondrousova (denotes next server)
Frenchwoman Chloé Paquet and home favourite (born in Versailles) is being thoroughly outplayed by the reigning Wimbledon champion and is in danger of going a double break down in the second, and surely final, set.
Now, it’s Iga Swiatek’s 23rd birthday today, and the world No 1 is about to begin against Marie Bouzkova on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
By the way, if you missed Osaka v Swiatek in the last round, seek out the highlights. Watch in full on demand, even. It was a corker.
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Jabeur wins the first set v Fernandez! 6-4
It was looking nip and tuck until 3-3, but Fernandez’s level dropped after a very bright start. And now she has a set to make up.
Fernandez 4-5 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Well that was definitely commentator’s curse. Fernandez is broken to love and ends the game limply by netting with a basic unforced error. Jabeur will serve for the set.
*Fernandez 4-4 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
The Canadian breaks straight back. You sense this could develop into a really gripping match between players with contrasting styles but who look well matched.
Fernandez 3-4 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Jabeur breaks in that crucial seventh game of the first set and via double fault, too …
A Berlin court has begun hearing an appeal by the German tennis player Alexander Zverev against a fine imposed on him for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, an accusation which he denies.
As the world No 4 competes at the French Open in Paris, his lawyers are fighting his case in court, after he was fined €450,000 (£384,000, $489,000) in October for allegedly trying to strangle Brenda Patea, his then partner and the mother of his three-year-old daughter, Mayla.
“I tried to stay very focused about my game,” says Sinner. “Thanks everyone. It’s amazing to play here on this court.
How many rackets does he have? “Eight.”
With different tensions? “No, I never change the tension. Otherwise it’s “mental” too much. I prefer to string them in the same way. Only in Madrid, we went up a little bit … No, I don’t want to change.”
Does he still ski? “I do. For Christmas, the day after Christmas, usually me and my friends go to ski. Which is very nice, it’s a tradition … But I have to be very careful, I don’t want to lose my tennis career. My team is always concerned when I go … but I have to, it’s in my blood.”
Next, the interviewer asks him for some fashion tips. “I’m not good in fashion. They just give me things to wear, and I wear it. I just try to look good.”
Sinner beats Kotov! 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
Les jeux sont faits.
Sinner is through in straight sets.
“All elements of his game were thoroughly tested,” reckons one of the commentators.
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*Fernandez 2-2 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Fernandez is looking super-busy and super-focused. She forces a break point at 30-40 but Jabeur saves it with an ace. The Tunisian then seals another hold with a confidently struck winner to the corner. Fernandez shakes her head, frustrated at letting a chance slip.
*Kotov 4-6, 4-6, 3-5 Sinner (*denotes next server)
Sinner is one game away, but as this match is a done deal I am focusing more on Fernandez v Jabeur.
Fernandez 2-1 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Fernandez opens the game with a wonderful drop shot that bounces perfectly over the net and spins away from Jabeur, who hasn’t bothered to run for it anyway. She could not have placed that any better with her hand, as John Parrott might say if he was moonlighting as a tennis commentator.
Jabeur produces one cracking counterattacking pass but soon Fernandez holds to 30, rounding off the game with another brilliant shot, this time a spinning backhand volley that’s incredibly well controlled into space down the line.
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Kotov 4-6, 4-6, 3-4 *Sinner (*denotes next server)
Kotov gets it back to 3-4 and is making the second seed work for his win.
“Enquiring minds want to know,” emails Olga. “Why the hyphen between Philippe Chatrier?”
That’s a great question, and one that I was pondering earlier. I have no idea. Anyone?
*Fernandez 1-1 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Jabeur rounds off her own opening hold, to 15, with a handsome winner down the line.
*Kotov 4-6, 4-6, 2-4 Sinner (*denotes next server)
Are you a Sinner or are you a winner? Looks like he’s both. The Italian moves one step closer to the last 16.
Fernandez 1-0 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
The Canadian holds in tidy fashion to begin. Jabeur went to the drop shot on the very first rally, but it didn’t pay off: Fernandez ran it down and Jabeur hit the resulting attempted lob a little long.
Kotov 4-6, 4-6, 2-3 *Sinner (*denotes next server)
And there’s the third-set break for Jannik Sinner. He pumps his fist and celebrates, knowing that should be (almost) the final nail in Kotov’s coffin.
Leylah Fernandez wins the toss and will bat. Serve, even.
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*Kotov 4-6, 4-6, 2-2 Sinner (*denotes next server)
All square in the third on Philippe-Chatrier. Sinner just pulled off a quite spectacular forehand drop shot that left Kotov floundering.
Ons Jabeur, in a pre-recorded interview, is asked who she would choose between Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka, both close friends of hers.
“That’s a tough question,” she replies. “I choose Paula Sabalenka. A new player.”
Leylah Fernandez (31) v Ons Jabeur (8) in next up Suzanne Lenglen.
And next up on Philippe-Chatrier it’s Iga Swiatek (1) v Marie Bouzkova. We’ll see how effectively Kotov battles in this third set and keeps that pair waiting in the wings …
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*Kotov 4-6, 4-6, 1-1 Sinner (*denotes next server)
As it turns out, Kotov does apply a bit of pressure on Sinner’s serve. It goes to deuce but the Italian closes it out.
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Why not have a crack at our Quiz of the Week?
Kotov 4-6, 4-6, 1-0 *Sinner (*denotes next server)
Kotov holds swiftly to open the third. But can the world No 56 find a way to pressure the Italian’s serve?
Kotov 4-6, 4-6 Sinner
The reigning Australian Open champion, Sinner, has built a two-set lead against Kotov now.
“I have to thank everyone for coming out today,” says Arnaldi. “Merci beaucoup. It’s incredible. I think I played the best tennis, for sure, of my life.
“To do it for three sets … it’s easy to do it for two sets in a normal tournament … At two sets to love, I was thinking maybe I will have a little dip.
“He didn’t play his best tennis, for sure, but I used the right tactic to put him under pressure, and today it worked very well.
“For sure the first set was important for me. I’m not the favourite. It [the conditions] are different … We started normal [earlier in the week], then we closed the roof … the conditions were totally different to the rounds I played before.”
Arnaldi is asked about Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who won in the women’s singles earlier against Liudmila Samsonova.
“We know each other since a long time, since we were 11 or 12 … Jannik, Lorenzo, Luciano … all the others. It gives you a little push because we grew up together. You see them succeed and you want to do the same. It pushes us to go on court and do a little bit more. For sure right now it’s working.”
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Arnaldi beats Rublev! 7-6, 6-2, 6-4
The Italian holds to love and wins in straight sets. Boom.
He’ll meet either Zhizhen Zhang or Stefanos Tsitsipas (9) in the last 16.
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We can’t be far from a Richie Tenenbaum reference.
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Rublev 6-7, 2-6, 4-5 *Arnaldi (*denotes next server)
Rublev summons up a bit of all-or-nothing energy and connects with some lusty forehands, peppering the corners and holding serve with relative ease.
Still, here comes Arnaldi to serve for the match and his first victory against top-10 opposition at a grand slam tournament.
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Kotov 4-6, 3-4 *Sinner (*denotes next server)
The Italian No 2 seed is serving to move within one game of the set over on Philippe-Chatrier.
*Rublev 6-7, 2-6, 3-5 Arnaldi (*denotes next server)
A businesslike hold for the Italian and Rublev must serve to stay in the tournament.
Rublev loses his cool and repeatedly batters his racket against his right thigh. He’s being taken apart and it’s hurting him. The commentators are beginning to fear for his mental health.
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Rublev 6-7, 2-6, 3-4 *Arnaldi (*denotes next server)
Following her win earlier today, Elisabetta Cocciaretto said the Italian federation are doing a great job in supporting all their players here at Roland Garros. That would certainly appear to apply to Arnaldi, who is playing some stunning stuff against his Russian, or rather neutral flag, opponent.
The 23-year-old Italian crushes a forehand winner down the line – a quite wonderful strike – and breaks for 4-2 in the third and potentially final set! Rublev looks like a punch-drunk boxer out there. He’s got no answer to this kid.
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Thanks Dominic. Here we go then. Sinner has just gone 4-2 up in the second set against Kotov.
With my power hour done, I shall transfer back to Luke McLaughlin, who will continue to follow these two fascinating matches. All yours, Luke.
Apologies for a slight error before. I wrote Arnaldi instead of Kotov. The perils of double-screening. All corrected now.
Rublev 6-7, 2-6, 2-2 Arnaldi
There’s just no winning for Andrey Rublev today. Arnaldi’s smooth hands get him out of trouble as he makes an important hold of serve. The crowd are chanting ‘Rublev, Rublev’ and I’d suggest he needs as much help as possible.
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Sinner is the bigger name, but this Rublev v Arnaldi match is the bigger story as things stand. With the likes of Alcaraz, Swiatek and Jabeur are all to come, it should be a day packed full of headlines. Rublev has got to 15-30 on the Arnaldi serve after a fierce passing shot.
Sinner 6-4, 3-1 Kotov
Jannik Sinner is a real contender for this whole shebang you know. The way he covers the court, sliding on the clay, is phenomenal and his groundstrokes from the baseline are a match for anyone’s. Kotov gives as good as he gets in this latest Sinner service game but is still outgunned by the No 2 seed.
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Right. Rublev has held his serve in the opening game of the third set against Arnaldi. Now he really needs to show up. He’s still looking very flustered and frenetic between points, albeit he’s finding the odd sensational winner via that whipping forehand. Arnaldi does enough to hold thanks to a couple of unforced errors by the Russian. 1-1
Here’s that shot I was talking about.
Just like he drew it up 😂#RolandGarros | @janniksin pic.twitter.com/vFWjimYZwZ
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2024
Sinner with a superb winner running back and turning on his backhand side, after being drawn to the net. He passes Arnaldi to go 30-0 up, trying to hold serve in the second game of the second set.
Rublev 6-7, 2-6 Arnaldi
Rublev cuts a pretty forlorn figure after sending a backhand long to wrap up the second set in his opponent’s favour. Dressed all in black, the Russian shuffles off to his seat contemplating a possible early exit from this year’s French Open.
Oh my. Arnaldi gets the double break and is serving to go 2-0 up in sets. There’s an issue in the crowd with the umpire asking a couple of people to sit down behind the eyeline of the server. Widespread jeers from the Parisian crowd. This won’t help Rublev’s concentration.
Sinner 6-4 Kotov
Game and first set, Sinner! He was made to work fairly hard for it but a tame-ish Kotov forehand into the net gifts it to the Italian. A quick pump of the fist and it’s time for a sit-down.
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Rublev 6-7, 2-4 Arnaldi
This is all going horribly wrong for the No 6 seed, who now smashes his heels in frustration after Arnaldi holds to love. Can he possibly recover?
Arnaldi has broken! Rublev is in all sorts of trouble here. He’s 3-2 down and a set down and is on his haunches staring quite morosely into the ground.
Is there anything better than a stunning drop-shot? Not in this match there isn’t! It’s Sinner’s turn to exhibit the deftest of touches, as he holds out to love, showing his full repertoire in this service game. It’s 5-3 and Kotov will serve to stay in the set.
Sinner 4-3 Kotov
No fouls, no mishaps for Kotov as he holds serve. It’s now just about whether he can break back. He’ll only have two chances to do so. Meanwhile, it’s on serve between Rublev and Arnaldi.
Sinner 4-2 Kotov
An outstanding drop-shot from Kotov wins him the opening point on Sinner’s serve. Kotov tries it again later in the game but Sinner is more agile this time and up to the challenge. The Italian really is a joy to watch around the court. He serves it out to back up the break.
I’m going to watch Sinner v Kotov for a bit, with the Italian directing a clenched fist towards his corner after claiming the match’s first break of serve. He’ll look to take charge of this set now.
Clara Tauson v Sofia Kenin will soon get under way on Court No 7, while on No 15 Xinyu Wang versus Anastasia Potapova has been suspnded with the Chinese player 4-0 up.
Rublev stretches every sinew to hold. He’s 2-1 up in the second.
Rublev waves his arms around in bemusement as Arnaldi forces a break point, but the Russian player responds well with a couple of big serves … and then double faults. Eesh. The sixth seed isn’t having this all his own way.
Thanks Luke. These Rublev and Sinner matches should be a lot of fun. Let’s get into ‘em.
Lunchtime for me. Dominic Booth is stepping in for the next hour.
Kotov 2-1 Sinner
The Italian No 2 seed trails on Philippe Chatrier, although it’s with serve for now.
Rublev 6-7, 1-1 Arnaldi
Rublev is a set down against Arnaldi on Court Suzanne Lenglen, which is a turn-up for the books.
Danilovic, in tears, speaks: “I don’t know what to say. I have no words. Thank you everyone so much for supporting me here, this match … it was … oh …
“I am enjoying my time here so much. And this … I don’t know how I won this match, honestly, I was down so many times … I don’t know. I’m so happy. I just want to say thank you. There have been so many rain delays … you are like a tennis country. I don’t know what to say. Merci beaucoup.
“I love playing here. I played last year third round … I enjoy so much playing in grand slams… this is my favourite grand slam, I love clay, I love Paris, I have so many friends here and it means the world to me, honestly.”
It was her sixth match here having come through qualifiers … “Yeah, yesterday I finished so late … I got the time for today and it was 11am, and I knew I had to put myself together … [I had to] enjoy to suffer, as well … sometimes in tennis you really need to suffer like I did today. Merci beacoup.”
That was sensational. Absolutely wonderful stuff.
It will be Chloé Paquet or Marketa Vondrousova in the next round.
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Danilovic beats Vekic! 0-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8)
That is just incredible. Danilovic lost the first set 6-0. Vekic served for the match twice in the final set.
Danilovic crafts a lovely winner down the line and collapses in joy and disbelief! Vekic just stands there! Tennis, bloody hell.
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It’s 9-8 to Danilovic in the tiebreak now! WOW!
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Danilovic, who came through qualifying, and Vekic have now been playing for three hours. Absolute scenes.
Vekic leads the 10-point tiebreak 6-3.
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Rublev 6-6 Arnaldi
The Italian has forced a tiebreak in the first set against Rublev.
So, Pavel Kotov v Jannik Sinner (2) is seconds away now.
Yesterday’s reports and news below, if you missed any of it: including Tumaini Carayol’s report about the organisers’ decision to ban alcohol in the Roland Garros stands following some complaints from players about certain individuals’ behaviour.
Danilovic 0-6, 7-5, 6-6 Vekic
One hell of a battle has developed between the Serb and the Croat on Court Simonne-Mathieu. It’s a 10-point tiebreak to decide the winner, all the more remarkable after Vekic crushed her opponent 6-0 in the first set. Funny old game.
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Yastremska really threatened to make a game of that. Her power from the baseline is quite something … but ultimately she didn’t have the precision to make it in any way close. An impressively coherent performance from Gauff, all round, even if she will certainly want to improve on a 47% first-serve success rate.
Coco Gauff speaks about overcoming Dayana Yastremska: “I played her in Madrid and she plays really well from behind. I knew closing the match would be difficult. I definitely could closed it out on my serve [in the previous game] … the last game, she hit three or four balls on the edge of the line … it was difficult to stay focused and not get too mad. But I’m glad I was able to push through.”
How is it playing as a grand slam winner? “Going into Australia, I was more nervous … but now I’m just like: one match at a time. It [winning the US Open] is something I accomplished but I just try and stay in the moment.
“At 20, I hope I’m still playing 10 years from now … so it’s a long process.”
Next Gauff is asked about her parents: “They’re kind of like swapping … most of the clay season it was just my Mom … it’s nice to have them around, especially in the two-week formats … when you have your day off it’s nice to spend it with somebody
“My parents have been with me my whole life. I’m very thankful to them. So, love you guys!”
Does Gauff mind knowing who she’s playing in the next round? (I would presume not at this stage!?) “Usually, once I finish the match, it’s cool,” she confirms.
And how does she feel about playing Elisabetta Cocciaretto?
“I played her in Dubai this year. She’s definitely a fighter … she’s one of those players who doesn’t give up. It’s going to be a difficult match. But I’m ready.”
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Gauff beats Yastremska! 6-2, 6-4
Yastremska smokes a double-handed backhand down the line for 15-15. Then a slightly miscued forehand winner brings 15-30 – that is the Ukrainian’s 16th winner of the match.
Wow! Then she goes down the line, on her backhand, and catches the line with a crazily good winner. A test for Gauff at 30-40 … Yastremska isn’t going to die wondering and keeps hitting big from the baseline. But she overdoes it and hits fractionally long and it’s back to deuce.
Gauff fluffs it badly with a double fault, feeling the pressure … an attempted serve down the middle is horribly wide, and then a second serve sits up for Yastremska, who miscues it horrendously wide on her forehand side! Big let-off for Gauff!
The American wins a second match point with a fine wide serve … she stays in the next rally and waits for the error … and there it is!
Gauff v Cocciaretto is a confirmed last-16 tie.
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*Gauff 6-2, 5-4 Yastremska (*denotes next server)
Yastremska seals a hold to 30 with a clean ace, the umpire coming off his chair to check it. But Gauff knew it was in. Can Yastremska apply pressure, and even break, the Gauff serve again? The Atlanta-born 20-year-old will now have a second crack at serving for the match.
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Danilovic 0-6, 7-5, 4-3 Vekic
A fierce battle for the deciding set has developed over on Court Simonne-Mathieu. A deuce battle for the eighth game of the set is ongoing with Vekic serving.
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Gauff 6-2, 5-3 *Yastremska (*denotes next server)
Deuce again. Again, the depth and power of a Yastremska groundstroke from the back forces an error from Gauff. The game stretches towards 10 minutes duration. Then a lucky break for the Ukrainian when a ball slaps the net cord and creeps over … And Yastremska finally breaks back! She shoots a distinctly determined look at her team in the stands. Can she somehow find another break and battle back into this second set? Gauff will be disappointed she’s not got her feet up in the locker room now.
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Gauff 6-2, 5-2 Yastremska
A shaky start for Gauff and she’s forced on to the back foot by Yastremska’s power for 0-15. Then Gauff hammers an ace down the middle for 15-15 … but double faults for 15-30. Back to 30-30 after a good second serve – then break point for Yastremska – but Gauff takes it back to deuce thanks to the 32nd unforced error of the match by the Ukrainian.
Yastremska hits wide and shakes her head when Gauff claims her first match point – but the world No 32’s power is on display again as she takes Gauff back to deuce. Yet another break point for the Ukrainian is saved but again, Yastremska’s power is just too much and she earns another break point but again Gauff saves it. This is turning into an epic game …
*Gauff 6-2, 5-2 Yastremska (*denotes next server)
A top-class lob from Gauff helps to force it to deuce on her opponent’s serve. Yastremska then has advantage and a game point but Gauff fights like the champion she is to force it back level. On second serve, Yastremska flops a backhand into the net to give a break point to Gauff … Yastremska then hits long, and the American can serve for the match.
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*Rublev 0-1 Arnaldi (*denotes next server)
The Italian world No 35 kicks off by holding serve.
Gauff 6-2, 4-2 *Yastremska (*denotes next server)
Another classy hold from the American. The finish line in hoving into view even if Yastremska has raised her level from the first set. Gauff is coming up with all the answers at the moment.
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*Gauff 6-2, 3-2 Yastremska (*denotes next server)
This is becoming a bit of a tussle. Yastremska keeps winding up from the baseline and is more often than not finding her mark now. But Gauff’s movement and precision is proving more than a match for her opponent … and she breaks again to edge ahead in the second set.
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Andrey Rublev (6) is warming up for his encounter against Matteo Arnaldo on Suzanne Lenglen.
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Gauff 6-2, 2-2 *Yastremska (*denotes next server)
A marginal line call goes the way of Gauff for 30-0. But Yastremska’s power is starting to come to the fore and she’s forcing Gauff back at times, increasingly generating mishits off her opponent’s racket due to the sheer velocity of her groundstrokes.
At deuce Yastremska looks to have the upper hand but Gauff digs out a good shot from the baseline and the a miscue from the Ukrainian hands Gauff the service hold.
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*Gauff 6-2, 1-2 Yastremska (*denotes next server)
The Ukrainian is showing what she’s capable of now, increasingly, and Gauff may have a battle on her hands in this second set.
“I learned French at school but I don’t speak very well,” Cocciaretto tells Mats Wilander on court. “Next time I will speak really well.”
Then she switches to English: “I think I played unbelievable the first games …. after that I was over-thinking. I said to myself: play with the heart and not with the brain … I tried to stay in the game, and to fight… I’m really really happy to play in this court and be in the fourth round for the first time. It’s unbelievable for me right now!”
Why are Italian players doing so well? “I think our federation is helping us a lot … I want to thank them. They are supporting every player here. Of course, we are Latin, like the French. We play with the heart. This is the most important.
“I want to say thank you to my parents, who are watching me at home, and I want to say thank you to my coach Fausto [Scolari] who pushed me to improve myself. I am playing well because he’s doing a good job with me.”
Does she appreciate the French public? “I’m really really happy to have this support. It helped me a lot. It kept me aggressive on match point. I’m really grateful about it, and I hope you will come to support me in the next match.
“Merci beaucoup!”
Cocciaretto high fives Wilander, and heads off to celebrate a brilliant achievement before preparing for the last 16, where she will face Gauff or Yastremska. What a performance and she will give (almost) anyone a game playing like that.
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Cocciaretto beats Samsonova! 7-6 (4), 6-1
A couple of wonderful whippy forehands from Cocciaretto and it’s three break points – and three match points. She smiles and nods her head, as if to confirm that this is her moment … and indeed it is when Samsonova double faults! Cocciaretto, the Italian No 2, is into the last 16 of a grand slam for the first time!
Danilovic 0-6, 7-5, 0-0 Vekic
Over on Court Simonne-Mathieu, Danilovic of Serbia has forced a decider against her Croatian opponent, which looked unlikely after the first-set bagel.
Gauff wins the first set v Yastremska: 6-2
Now, Yastremska does have a look at a break point … but Gauff fights back to deuce, the Ukrainian sends a forehand long, and then some superb defence by Gauff forces another error. Yastremska was really piling into a succession of big forehands there but Gauff was not cowed and tidily got everything back until a mistake appeared from the other side of the net. Solid.
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*Gauff 5-2 Yastremska (*denotes next server)
Yastremska’s body language is noticeably downbeat. She’s strolling around the baseline with her shoulders slumped and hardly getting on to her toes at all. It’s little surprise that Gauff is making short work of this first set. Unless Yastremska can rouse herself into action this is going to be one-way traffic.
*Samsonova 6-7 (4), 1-4 Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
Cocciaretto clenches her fist and shoots a glance at her team up in the stand after stretching her lead in this second set. Her team were telling her to stay calm after she claimed that potentially crucial break. No problems there. It’s a really assured performance from the 23-year-old and now she needs to close it out.
Gauff 4-2 *Yastremska (*denotes next server)
Gauff stays firmly in control of the first set on Philippe-Chatrier.
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Samsonova 6-7 (4), 1-3 *Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
Cocciaretto breaks! The 17th seed, Samsonova, is in grave danger of being bundled out here by this impressive Ancona-born 23-year-old.
Jannik Sinner (2) will be on Philippe Chatrier, against Pavel Kotov, following the conclusion of Gauff’s match.
*Gauff 3-2 Yastremska (*denotes next server)
The Ukrainian is forced to work to avoid falling a double break down. But she eventually holds for 3-2.
*Samsonova 6-7 (4), 1-2 Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
Over on Suzanne Lenglen, this is developing into a battle royale between the Russian and the Italian. They are currently engaged in a lengthy deuce battle on Cocciaretto’s serve … the Italian saves a succession of break points, and finally gets it done! It stays with serve in the second set.
*Gauff 3-1 Yastremska (*denotes next server)
Apologies, I momentarily had the score wrong down there. Gauff had just held serve following the break, and now leads 3-1 in the first set.
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Before I left the coverage of Samsonova v Cocciaretto, one of the commentators said: “You can’t go wrong with a coffee in France,” which is one of the wrongest things I’ve heard this year. That led on from some commentary on a gentleman in the crowd who was tucking into a baguette. But let’s face it, much of the coffee in France is downright disgusting.
*Gauff 3-1 Yastremska (*denotes next server)
The 2023 women’s US Open champion is under way on Philippe Chatrier so I’ll switch focus to that match now … At 1-1 and 30-30, Yastremska double faults, then hits wide to hand Gauff a break of serve.
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*Samsonova 6-7 (4), 0-1 Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
A double fault from the Italian makes it 30-30. But she keeps attacking with her trusty forehand on the next point and forces game point after some spirited defence from the Russian. As the sun appears from behind the clouds, Samsonova hits long to hand Cocciaretto a hold to begin the second set.
“Shadows on the court,” says one of the commentators of this unfamiliar sunshine. “Amazing to see.”
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Coco Gauff is warming up on Philippe-Chatrier.
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Cocciaretto wins the first set against Samsonova: 7-6 (4)
Another error from Samsonova makes it 5-3 in the Italian’s favour. A massive serve and drop shot combination from Samsonova brings it back to 5-4 – that was a seriously impressive play from the 25-year-old under quite some pressure.
Cocciaretto gets right back in her face with a big serve down the middle – Samsonova returns with interest but long. Set point for the Italian, Samsonova dumps another mistake into the net, and that’s the set.
Considering how Samsonova improved throughout that first set, that’s a superb effort from Cocciaretto to stay positive and seal the set having thrown away a 4-0 lead.
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First-set tiebreak: Samsonova 6-6 Cocciaretto
At 1-1 Cocciaretto keeps coming forward, as always, but hits long to give up a mini break. Samsonova then climbs into a big forehand from the baseline but nets it for 2-2. Cocciaretto now winds up a big forehand of her own and bravely attempts an angled winner but it lands fractionally wide. That’s 3-2 to the Russian but Cocciaretto wrestles it back to all square at the change of ends …
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Samsonova 6-6 Cocciaretto
We’ll have a tiebreak to settle this first set, Samsonova having battled back from 4-0 down.
On Simonne-Mathieu, Danilovic is fighting back in the second set against Vekic, and leads 3-2. It’s with serve in the second set.
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Samsonova 6-5 *Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
Cocciaretto has a glimmer of a chance at 15-30. She stays light on her feet while waiting to return serve and tells herself: “Allez, allez …” The Italian buys two break points but they soon evaporate, the second due to a forehand winner from Samsonova, who opens her body up and crunches a commanding stroke cross-court. Samsonova then prevails in a thrilling rally, running her opponent all around and finally patting a volley to the open court to force a game point. She rounds it off when a Cocciaretto shot balloons up off the net cord and out. Samsonova shakes her first at her coach in triumph. She’s moved beyond that distinctly shaky start.
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*Samsonova 5-5 Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
Cocciaretto feathers a serve down the middle to start and Samsonova is all over it, hitting powerfully to the corner twice and wrong-footing her opponent on the slippery clay. Then Cocciaretto hits long and it’s suddenly 0-30 … then 0-40 when she hits a forehand wide. A relatively protracted rally up next and Samsonova pumps her fist and roars when Cocciaretto nets from the back of the court. The Russian has a second break back and it’s all square at 5-5.
Samsonova 4-5 *Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
A tidy hold from Samsonova to 15. But Cocciaretto can serve for the first set, which would be a massive step on the road to her first appearance in the fourth round of a grand slam.
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Vekic won the first set against Danilovic 6-0. The dreaded bagel.
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*Samsonova 3-5 Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
A lovely backhand winner angled down the line brings up 40-0 for the Italian. Facing three games points, Samsonova tries to attack her opponent’s second serve, but only dumps a backhand of her own in the net. Cocciaretto is a game away from taking the first set and Samsonova must serve to stay in it.
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Samsonova 3-4 *Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
Better, much better from Samsonova. There is still an unforced error – she’s up to 12 now, to just one for her opponent in the match. But she’s also struck four aces to none, and one of those brings her to within a game at 4-3, still a break down.
*Samsonova 2-4 Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
From 30-30 Samsonova has a look at break point … and seals the game with a smooth winner to the corner. The Russian is finding her range now but Cocciaretto, judging by her positive body language, will keep coming forward and going for her shots.
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On Court Simonne-Mathieu, Donna Vekic leads Olga Danilovic 4-0 in their first set.
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Samsonova 1-4 *Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
Cocciaretto’s forehand is a serious weapon. She opens her shoulders and cracks a powerful winner, again going cross-court, her opponent left motionless and helpless at the back of the court. But Samsonova suddenly comes to life and belts down four straight aces for 40-15! Impressive. A slightly longer rally on what proves to be the concluding point, Samsonova finding an accurate winner that kisses the line on Cocciaretto’s forehand side. Samsonova is on the board thanks mainly to some elite serving.
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*Samsonova 0-4 Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
Cocciaretto whips a tremendous cross-court forehand past Samsonova for 15-0. The Russian then goes to the drop shot again but again Cocciaretto runs it down. That’s 30-0, and Samsonova tries yet another drop shot that collapses limply into the net. She hits long when returning serve, next up, and that’s a ludicrously easy hold for the Italian.
Samsonova 0-3 *Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
Again, it’s sloppy stuff from Samsonova. At 30-30 she carelessly steers a backhand into the tramlines and it’s another break point for Cocciaretto … Samsonova tries a drop shot but the Italian runs it down – and she’s stormed into a 3-0 lead with a double break.
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*Samsonova 0-2 Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
A speedy hold for the Italian to start. She is aiming to make the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time. Samsonova has been past this point at a grand slam twice – Wimbleon 2021 and the US Open 2022 – but she is playing error-strewn tennis at the moment and is handing the initiative to her 23-year-old opponent.
Samsonova 0-1 *Cocciaretto (*denotes next server)
A couple of sweet forehands from the Russian, one particularly artful stroke down the line, sets up a game point at 40-30. But there were a couple of mishits too, and Samsonova hits long for deuce, then nets a backhand and it’s quickly break point for the Italian … Cocciaretto hits long to waste a first opportunity at an immediate break, but a couple more errors from Samsonova hands the early break to her opponent.
Liudmila Samsonova (17) v Elisabetta Cocciaretto is first up on Suzanne Lenglen. They are warming up now. Samsonova, as a Russian, is playing under a neutral flag and dispatched Amanda Anisimova in straight sets yesterday. Cocciaretto is ranked 51 in the world and beat Cristina Bucsa of Romania in the previous round.
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Preamble
Persistent Parisian rain has seen organisers scrambling to make up for lost time this week. In the event, all the second-round singles matches were completed last night, so today’s play did not start as early as some of us thought it might. But there is still a packed third-round schedule in Paris today.
Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Ons Jabeur and Marketa Vondrousova will all be on court in the women’s singles, while in the men’s draw Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Hubert Hurkacz and Grigor Dimitrov are among the notable names in action.
Gauff, seeded No 3, will kick things off on Court Philippe-Chatrier against Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine (ranked 32) from 11am BST/12pm CET. In the men’s singles Andrey Rublev, the sixth seed, is scheduled to begin against Matteo Arnaldi of Italy (ranked 35) on Court Suzanne Lenglen from 11.15 BST.
Exciting times await, not to mention a dizzying number of matches to try and keep up with. Allez!
