Norrie hopes ended by magic Musetti
Cameron Norrie’s French Open campaign ended in disappointing fashion with a straight-sets loss to Lorenzo Musetti in the third round. It is the third year in a row the British number one has fallen in the last 32, and he only managed to mount any real challenge in the third set before going down 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.
There is certainly no disgrace in losing to 21-year-old Musetti, who is ranked only five places below Norrie and whose best surface is clay, but the 14th seed will be disappointed by the manner of the defeat. The result brings an end to British singles hopes at a tournament where only three players even made the start line.
Norrie lost to Musetti in Barcelona recently but spoke positively after his second-round victory over Lucas Pouille about what he had learned from that clash. He was immediately on the back foot, though, dropping serve in the opening game against the stylish Italian and swiftly losing the opening set.
The second was no better, with Musetti too often finding an answer to everything Norrie could throw at him, and the 17th seed went a break up early in the third as well.
The Briton was staring at his worst slam loss but he at least made a fist of it, breaking Musetti back and creating three chances to break for 5-3.
The Italian held firm, though, and drilled a forehand past Norrie to break again before serving out the victory. He advances to the fourth round, and a possible meeting with the No 1 seed, Carlos Alcaraz. PA Media
And that was all she wrote for Friday at the French Open. Day six, as it’s sometimes known. Not a good day for Cameron Norrie … but congratulations to Lorenzo Musetti on a fine display, and to all the other players who progress to the next round – the likes of Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka. Thanks for reading and good night.
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Musetti speaks: “I didn’t start this year as we wanted. But now I’m in the second week here. I couldn’t be more proud of my family and my team. Really, really full of joy, a really, really well played match.
“For sure winning in three straight sets allows me to be in great physical form. Hope I will rest and recover as best I can.”
It will be Alcaraz or Shapovalov in the next round … “They are both really great players. But first of all i want to enjoy this win and have a great dinner with my team.”
Musetti beats Norrie! 6-1, 6-2, 6-4
Norrie runs down a drop shot but butchers his attempted half-volley and it drops well wide for 15-0. Musetti then produces maybe the point of the match, hustling to keep the ball alive when under pressure, then destroying a forehand on the run into the open court. That is too good, as the telly commentators are so fond of saying. The Italian has three match points …
He wastes match point No 1 with a sloppy half-volley from the baseline. But Norrie miscues a forehand on the next point and it’s all over!
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Musetti 6-1, 6-2, *5-4 Norrie (*denotes next server)
A cracking cross-court forehand pass, on the run, clinches a break of serve from Musetti! Norrie was building momentum through this set, but now the Italian can serve for the match.
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Hurkacz is a set to the good v Varillas, 6-3, 2-1, while Tsitsipas and Schwartzman are 2-2 in the second. The Greek player won the first set 6-2.
Musetti 6-1, 6-2, 4-4* Norrie (*denotes next server)
Norrie buys a break point. Musetti saves it on second serve, unloading aggressively from the baseline, despite teetering on the brink of surrendering his serve.
Musetti quickly secures a game point, but he double faults, and it’s back to deuce … there is a bit of to-ing and fro-ing in a deuce battle. Musetti thumps an ace down the middle, from deuce, then produces another big first serve that Norrie miscues. All square in the third. But Norrie is in the game.
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Musetti 6-1, 6-2, *3-4 Norrie (*denotes next server)
Better! Norrie is moving around the court and hitting with far more confidence, not to mention accuracy. Musetti looks a little alarmed, as if his opponent has removed the lid from his own coffin and vaulted himself back to life.
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Musetti 6-1, 6-2, 3-3* Norrie (*denotes next server)
Norrie nabs a break point, his first of the match, and suddenly he is hitting the ball with plenty of authority. Musetti shapes a couple of good strokes from the baseline, trying to save the break point, but Norrie fires an excellent forehand winner cross-court to get back on terms in the third set.
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Musetti 6-1, 6-2, *3-2 Norrie (*denotes next server)
Norrie does the necessary and holds to exert at least a bit of pressure on his Italian opponent.
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Hurkacz is 5-2 and a break up against Varillas. Tsitsipas is 5-2 up on Schwartzman in their first set, having broken twice to his opponent’s once.
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Musetti 6-1, 5-2, 3-1* Norrie (*denotes next server)
Musetti has been serving well, and keeps it up in the latest game. A fluffed drop volley by Norrie doesn’t hurt. Norrie has yet to have a break point in this match. Musetti has won five of 14. That’s quite a stat.
Musetti 6-1, 6-2, *2-1 Norrie (*denotes next server)
A horrendous missed volley by Norrie hands the initiative to his opponent in that latest game initially, but he fights back well to win it and get himself on the board in the third. The players sit down for a drink. Norrie nods and seemingly attempts to gee himself up for an attempt to get back into this match. And he puts some fresh tape on his racket for good measure.
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Musetti 6-1, 6-2, 2-0* Norrie (*denotes next server)
Norrie’s having a genuine ’mare here.
Why’d you choke out there, Baumer?
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Courtney Walsh reports on Thanasi Kokkinakis’s defeat earlier today:
“Prone on his back at Roland Garros after slipping on match point in a thriller against Karen Khachanov on Friday, Thanasi Kokkinakis could have been excused for cursing. A lot.”
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Musetti 6-1, 6-2, *1-0 Norrie (*denotes next server)
Norrie falls a break down immediately in the third set. His head is bowed, he looks utterly flummoxed by his lack of form and the relentless stream of errors. Musetti is playing well, no question, but Norrie’s not firing at all.
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Stephens beats Putintseva! 6-3, 3-6, 6-2!
Sabalenka will face Stephens in the next round. The winner of the 2017 US Open seems to be picking up impressive momentum and will be a difficult opponent for the Belarusian.
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Aryna Sabalenka opted out of a post-match press conference after her third-round win over Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday following a number of tense exchanges with a Ukrainian reporter about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after previous rounds here.
Musetti wins the second set v Norrie: 6-1, 6-2
Deep trouble for the British No 1.
Two other third-round men’s singles matches have just begun:
Varillas v Hurkacz [13] and Schwartzman 0-2 Tsitsipas
Musetti 6-1, *5-2 Norrie (*denotes next server)
Double break up for the Italian now. Norrie is not at the races.
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Musetti 6-1, 4-2* Norrie (*denotes next server)
The Italian backs up the break, and continues what’s been a commanding display thus far.
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Musetti 6-1, *3-2 Norrie (*denotes next server)
Norrie has just saved two of three break points … but he fails to save the third. The Italian breaks for the third time in the match, and the first time in this second set.
Right, how is Norrie getting on?
Djokovic speaks: “I knew it was going to be very difficult, very physical, we played three hours only two sets. He [Davidovich Fokina] is an amazing fighter, an amazing player, not many weaknesses in his game. Congratulations to him for fighting. Bad luck, but he played a great match.”
He’s asked if it was a good test – or perhaps too good a test?
“A win is a win. Maybe a bit too much [effort and time], the first two sets. I thought if I lose the second set, we’d probably play five hours today. But you have to be ready. That’s what a grand slam it about … it takes a lot of effort … I’m proud of the performance today, for sure.”
Djokovic applauds the crowd as he walks off. The boo-boys audible earlier have faded away. And Djokovic has strolled away for an evening of relaxation. C’est ça.
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The crowd cheered Djokovic’s win generously. Will there be any boos during the on-court interview? Let’s see …
Davidovich Fokina strolls off. “He’ll come out of this feeling like he can hang with the big boys,” says McEnroe on Eurosport commentary.
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Djokovic beats Davidovich Fokina! 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-2
Mistakes keep coming from Davidovich Fokina and it’s quickly 0-30. Djokovic is almost dipping for the finish line. But then he clumps a forehand long, and it’s 15-30 … but soon 15-40 thanks to another keenly constructed point.
Davidovich Fokina saves the first break point with some muscular hitting. But the second ends with another error from the Spaniard, hitting fractionally long. The players embrace warmly at the net.
Djokovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 5-2* Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
The players each hold serve, and Djokovic is a game away from a place in the last 16.
Djokovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 4-1* Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is two games away from a straight-sets win. If he does win it in straight sets, I fancy he’d rank it as one of the toughest three-set victories of his career.
It’ll be interesting to see what he says to the crowd, because he’s taken plenty off them, and given plenty back.
That is of course assuming that Djokovic wins the match. But I think that is a safe assumption, even if Djokovic is currently shouting at his team, shouting at himself, shouting at the universe.
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Musetti wins the first set v Norrie: 6-1
Not a promising start for the British No 1. But there is still time.
Musetti is 5-1 up against Norrie and serving for the first set in double-quick time.
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Djokovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), *3-1 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Davidovich Fokina wobbles, and coughs up a break point, but saves it – and then closes out the service hold. He won’t lie down.
Aryna Sabalenka did not speak to the media after her victory earlier, apparently due to previous questions regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We’ll have a story on that coming up soon.
Aryna Sabalenka opted out of doing a regular press conference today after some tense exchanges regarding Ukraine after her previous rounds. Sabalenka instead spoke to a few journalists chosen by the Roland Garros organisation. pic.twitter.com/nWet1vJMqm
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) June 2, 2023
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Djokovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 3-0* Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
This could be over very quickly.
Musetti 3-0* Norrie (*denotes next server)
The Italian 17th seed is a break up early on against the 14th-seed, the South African-born British player Cameron Norrie.
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Djokovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), *2-0 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
That was a ragged game from the Spaniard. It ends with a wild attempted forehand winner that screws high and wide. Djokovic has a break in the third set, and the finish line is hoving into view. Davidovich Fokina’s tank is nearing empty, it seems to me, and that’s what the Serbian will do to you.
Sloane Stephens 6-3, 3-6 Yulia Putintseva
Into the third, decisive set on Suzanne Lenglen.
Djokovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 1-0* Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
The Serbian opens the third set by doing what he does best and winning something, namely his first service game.
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Djokovic is taking a medical time out. He’s having some work done on his leg. There is more booing and jeering from the crowd. Djokovic responds with some ironic applause for the fans.
“Change the rules if you don’t want to let a guy get worked on,” says McEnroe. “As an athlete do you want love or respect? You’d like to have both, but you’d prefer to have respect,” adds the American commentator.
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Second-set tiebreak: Djokovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) Davidovich Fokina
At 5-5 it feels like one of the key points of the match. Davidovich Fokina sticks in there. But he eventually errs and it’s set point Djokovic.
You know what, even if Davidovich Fokina did win this set, it feels like it’s taken way too much out of him to get to this point for him to win in the end …
Anyway, Davidovich Fokina hits wide, Djokovic wins the set. He celebrates demonstratively, jumping around, pumping both his fists, and generally rubbing it in Davidovich Fokina’s face (not literally). There are boos from the crowd, which calls into question if Djokovic will drop the classic thank you to the fans come the end of the match …
Second-set tiebreak: Djokovic 7-6 (4), 6-6 Davidovich Fokina
Some astonishing defence helps the 22-times grand-slam winner to a mini-break and then a couple of errors by the Spaniard and it’s quickly 4-1. This is just how Djokovic rolls.
But just when you think you’ve got out, Davidovich Fokina pulls you back in, and constructs a lovely point to peg it back to 4-2. Then a fine drop shot and it’s 4-3.
Djokovic makes an outrageous volley but his opponent tucks away a winner, takes the next point, and before you know it it’s 5-4 to Davidovich Fokina …
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Second-set tiebreak: Djokovic 7-6 (4), 6-6 Davidovich Fokina
At 15-15 there’s a tasty rally that ends when Davidovich Fokina crafts a fantastic clean winner off his backhand side that’s angled to the corner and leaves Djokovic nowhere.
From 15-30 Djokovic smashes his way back to parity – although Davidovich Fokina does admirably to get the first smash back.
The old cliche about it being a huge point at 30-30 applies and Djokovic mucks it up, running around a bouncing ball to create the space for a forehand and trying to hit inside-out but going long and wide.
At 30-40 there is an energy-sapping rally, Djokovic and his opponent crushing the ball repeatedly from the back, with Davidovich Fokina the first to crack. He hits long again for deuce. After each of those last two points, Davidovich Fokina has needed a few seconds to recover – he is really, really feeling the physicality of this match.
Djokovic rounds it off and we have a second tiebreak in as many sets.
“There guys are giving it their all. That’s obvious,” says McEnroe.
Yes, yes it is obvious.
Sloane Stephens 6-3, 0-4 Yulia Putintseva
It looks very much like the match that will determine Aryna Sabalenka’s fourth-round opponent will go to three sets over on Suzanne Lenglen.
Svitolina beats Blinkova! 2-6, 6-2, 7-5
And into the last 16 for the Ukrainian.
Djokovic 7-6 (4), *5-6 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Wow, that is quite bizarre from Djokovic, as he tries to execute a difficult backhand volley from a poor shot by Davidovich Fokina that is clearly bouncing wide.
The Serbian gets it back to 15-15, but the Spaniard comes roaring back with a punishing stroke to the corner that Djokovic can barely get a racket on.
Davidovich Fokina takes on an ambitious winner down the line with his opponent out of position but it veers wide and that’s 30-30 … Davidovich Fokina then cracks a backhand into the net, it bounces up and off the net, and wide, and it’s break point Djoko.
Another uncharacteristic error by Djokovic makes it deuce, the Serbian hitting long from the back of the court … and then there’s another very poor option from Djokovic on game point, he hits a flaky volley into the net, and Davidovich Fokina edges in front. Djokovic must serve to stay in the set.
Djokovic 7-6 (4), 5-5* Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
At 0-30 it’s a big chance for the Spaniard. He engineers a brilliant double-handed backhand winner beyond his Serbian opponent who’s come to the net.
Three break points. Djokovic appears to get his toss wrong, and there are yells from the crowd, who obviously think it’s pure gamesmanship.
Never mind, anyway, Djokovic hits wide on the next rally, and he’s broken to love!
Davidovich Fokina treats himself to another fist pump and a steely look at his team.
Djokovic 7-6 (4), *5-4 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Davidovich Fokina sits down for a drink and a towel-down looking disgusted after he throws away his latest service game. Djokovic can serve for the second set, and a two-set lead.
Djokovic 7-6 (4), 4-4 *Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
A comfortable enough hold for Djokovic.
Julien Benneteau is in the auditorium watching this one. The retired Frenchman. I saw Federer beat him on Centre Court at Wimbledon about 12 or 13 years ago. Here, inappropriately then, is a photo of him playing at Wimbledon in 2013.
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Djokovic 7-6 (4), *3-4 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
At 40-30 there is a glimmer for Djokovic. But Davidovich Fokina holds his nerve, closes out the game, and roars “Come on!” as he pumps his fist, in classic Roland Garros fashion. Is this going to be an epic five-set marathon that leaves viewers, and certainly live bloggers, feeling utterly drained? It’s got all the hallmarks. Or a hallmark. It looks possible, let’s say that.
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Djokovic 7-6 (4), 3-3* Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Djokovic appears to be cruising to another hold, but he double faults, and soon hands his opponent a break point. “You sense it’s a must-win point for the Spaniard,” observes Simon Reed. And he does win it. And it’s all square in the second set. There was a sense that Davidovich Fokina was ready to crack, physically and mentally, but he’s firmly back in the game now.
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Djokovic 7-6 (4) *3-2 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
And that’s another break for Djokovic, and three games in a row now. Davidovich Fokina goes down on his haunches at one point, taking a few seconds. He’s struggling physically, for some reason, although it’s not clear why.
On commentary McEnroe points out that Davidovich Fokina has never come from two sets behind to win.
Djokovic 7-6 (4) 2-2* Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
What’s Davidovich Fokina thinking? Probably something like: “This guy Djokovic is annoyingly good at tennis.”
Djokovic holds, and worryingly for Spanish fans, Davidovich Fokina appears to be cramping up, or struggling with some kind of injury.
Djokovic 7-6 (4) *1-2 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is spanking both legs with his racket between points. On Eurosport commentary, John McEnroe suggests that the muscles need a little more coaxing as age takes its toll.
We have a deuce game, but Davidovich Fokina takes the initiative with a timely advance to the net, picking up an airborne ball with ease. He fluffs his next chance however, and hands the initiative back to his opponent – a break point gratefully received and pounced upon. The second set is back on serve.
We also have a recharged Luke to hand back to. Good day!
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Djokovic 7-6 (4) *0-2 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
The world No 3 looks a little put out. He’s mixing up the rallies with a little extra punch on the occasional shot, which his opponent is struggling to contend with at times. Djokovic can’t help but clap against his racket when he absolutely creams a forehand crosscourt only to see it returned pass him with interest.
At 30-all, Djokovic nets his first serve. From the second he’s immediately on the back foot, and the Spaniard forces him to net and offer up a break point. This is proving to be a really interesting match-up.
However the break comes from, of all things, a double fault. Are we in for a long one here?
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Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Djokovic 7-6 (4) *0-1 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
The tiebreak is followed by a pretty lengthy betwixt-sets intermission on Chatrier. With the crowd still shuffling back into seats, Davidovich Fokina gets things going again. Djokovic was turning to the drop shot with good effect towards the end of the first set, and he picks out a beauty to go 30-15 up. Straight away, two break points, and the Spaniard is starting to give his opponent second serves to play with at crucial times.
The first: saved. The second: fluked – a forehand slammed into the net cord, the ball popping over almost apologetically as Djokovic huffs behind the baseline.
Good work at the net from Davidovich Fokina takes it back to deuce, and he moves to game point despite looking a little uneasy at an arced ball swiped just in down the left side. Djokovic then goes wildly long in the ensuing exchange to hand over the game.
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Photograph: Caroline Blumberg/EPA
Current scores elsewhere …
Women’s third round
Anna Blinkova 6-2, 2-6, 1-0* Elina Svitolina
Sloane Stephens *2-0 Yulia Putintseva
Men’s third round
Fabio Fognini 7-5, 3-6, *0-1 Sebastian Ofner
Djokovic 7-6 (4) Davidovich Fokina
The Spaniard opens with a mini-break … but nets in the ensuing rally hand it straight back. But Djokovic is not firing on all cylinders here, blowing hard between points, frequently almost running the serve clock down, and hands Davidovich Fokina daylight again. 3-1 soon becomes 3-3 however, as the wily two-time champion punches a little harder and forces his opponent to stretch wider and longer.
The Serb is suddenly starting to take the initiative in the longer rallies – he moves 5-3 ahead. That becomes 5-4 thanks to a stunning drive down the line from the Spaniard, but he’s getting more erratic with his hitting, at the worst time, and it’s immediately two set points to Djokovic.
He needs one look at the next ball, clobbering back a return with interest from an ultra-wide serve to leave his opponent utterly marooned.
Djokovic *6-6 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Blinkova has broken Svitolina (now 5-1 down in the second set) … but on a breezy Philippe-Chatrier, Davidovich Fokina shows signs of faltering. He offers up two break point after going wide and long with an attempted return – he saves the first capably, but goes beyond the left tramline in the following exchange.
Tie-break time!
Djokovic 5-6* Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Now it’s Djokovic’s turn to show the jitters. A double-fault is followed by a mistake at the net (“oooooooooooooooh”, coo the crowd as one theatrically), but he gets on top of the next two loop-heavy rallies to take the game to 30-all. Next up, however … another double-fault! In trying to compose himself, the Serb times out on the serve clock, and with the window open, Davidovich Fokina clambers through to take the break. Now he’ll serve for the opening set!
On Simonne-Mathieu … three-time quarter-finalist Elina Svitolina has recovered from going down 6-2 in the first set against Anna Blinkova to thrashing her way into a 5-0 lead in the second, with her own service game to follow. Unless something astonishing happens there, that’ll be another match going the distance.
Djokovic *5-5 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Nervy moments for the Spaniard. Djokovic applies the thumb-screws, taking him to deuce with a vicious crosscourt backhand and whipping up the crowd. He responds with another stunning delivery down the middle, and seals the game with a massively effective drop-shot/lob combination. The Serb looks borderline disgusted at being sucked in.
Djokovic 5-4* Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Meanwhile, we’re still on serve on Philippe-Chatrier. The Spaniard takes Djokovic to deuce but the Serb holds despite a shaky moment marooned at the net where he was thrilled to see an arced ball drop long. Davidoch Fokina must now serve to stay in the first set.
Lorenzo Sonego beats Andrey Rublev [7] 5-7 0-6 6-3 7-6 (5) 6-3
Seventh seed Andrey Rublev is out! An astonishing comeback by the Italian from the depths of two sets down – despite the five gruelling sets he looks incredibly fresh courtside at the finish. “I played every point with the right attitude … I was focused on my serve, to be aggressive,” Sonego said. He now matches his 2020 campaign at Roland Garros where he also reached the fourth round – in his way: No 11 seed Karen Khachanov.
Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters
Djokovic *4-4 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Afternoon all and bon appetit, Luke. I arrive with news of a straightforward hold to 15 from the Spaniard, including a savage serve down the centre that left the No 3 seed sprawling.
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Djokovic 4-3 *Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
McEnroe, speaking the truth again, mentions what a physical first set this is. They are both giving it everything. Djokovic dials it up to 11 again, holds serve and is back in the lead. Can the Spaniard respond? He’s up against perhaps the greatest competitor tennis has ever seen.
Anyway, on that note, Stuart Goodwin is here to take you through the next little while. See you in a bit.
“I have an interesting observation concerning Davidovich’s surname,” emails James.
“Both his parents are Russian Jews by way of Israel. But almost all Russian surnames have a female version and male version. So Ivan Ivanov marries a lady, her surname will be Ivanova. You see the same thing in Poland, where Mr Ivanovski would be married to Mrs Ivanovska.
“But because other countries do not subscribe to the same naming conventions, any Russians/Poles who move abroad, get stuck with the male version of their surname for life (if they are female).
“So Alejandro is Davidovich (fair enough, ‘of David’) but Fokina is a female version of the surname Fokin. But coz nobody in either Israel or Spain cares much about female or male surnames, Alejandro’s mum not only has her ‘real’ surname but she gave it to her son.
“So he’s effectively got a male and female surname. If he was still in Russia, he would be Alejandro Davidovich Fokin. Don’t see that every day but the unique circumstances (immigration and so forth) mean he is pretty cool surname-wise. Also, Spanish naming conventions means you get one surname from your dad and one from your mum (in Russia, he’d just be Alejandro (well, Aleksandr) Davidovich).”
That is interesting, although presumably there are some Russians and Poles (and other nationalities) who do try and use the male/female versions of their surnames even if they have ended up in countries that don’t? Anyway, thanks James.
*Djokovic 3-3 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Djokovic, doing that old thing where he raises his game immediately in line with his opponent, makes it 0-15 with a fantastic drop shot. Davidovich Fokina doesn’t even bother to run for it, he just stands at the back of the court and watches it drop in.
Both the players are warming to their task now, both moving with more freedom, and there has been a good amount of variation in recent games too.
It’s 30-30, and a massive point, and Djokovic wins it of course, skipping to the net and pulling off another accurate drop shot. Davidovich Fokina makes the ground, but nets it.
“It looks like they’re going to be out there for a while,” says McEnroe. “You’ve got to hand it to this guy, he’s bringing his A-game.” He’s talking about the Spaniard, obviously.
Anyway it’s deuce. Davidovich Fokina shows plenty of character to drag it back there, too, with Djokovic grimly determined to try and get this break back immediately … but Djokovic wins himself three break points and converts the third.
In terms of mental toughness, in terms of an ability to raise himself rather than shrink away when he’s being put under pressure, I’ve never seen anything quite like Djokovic.
Djokovic 2-3 *Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
There is pressure on the Djokovic serve here as never before (the previous two games when to 30-30, this one goes to 15-40).
The players are engaged in another baseline battle Davidovich Fokina and blinks first, slightly overdoing a double-handed backhand and sending it long.
On the second break point, Djokovic looks to have the point won after he comes in and arrows an accurate ball to the corner. But Davidovich Fokina isn’t having any of that, and returns the ball with interest to the opposite corner. Djokovic keeps the point alive, but Davidovich Fokina has gained the upper hand, and capitalises.
“He tried everything there,” says Simon Reed of Djokovic. “And he couldn’t shake him off.”
*Djokovic 2-2 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
All square in the first. Davidovich Fokina is giving as good as he gets.
Djokovic 2-1 *Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Again, it’s 30-30 on the Djokovic serve – Davidovich Fokina winning one point in impressive style on the way, tucking a passed winner down the line with Djokovic exposed at the net.
Djokovic dumps a shot into the net and gives his opponent a break point. He gets it back to deuce. Davidovich Fokina hits wide with an inside-out forehand and it’s advantage to the seven-jillion times grand slam champion …
Davidovich Fokina hits a fantastic drop shot – Djokovic runs it down and angles a cheeky dink almost sideways. Davidovich Fokina gets it, and hits the winner down low, to the side of the net! You don’t see that every often.
It’s back to deuce, after that, but Djokovic seals the hold after all.
McEnroe also said earlier, with regards to Djokovic, that he thinks he’s trying to hit winners earlier in the points than he used to. Whether that is age-related, injury-related or something else, he wasn’t sure.
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*Djokovic 1-1 Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Davidovich Fokina holds to -15.
“This is the hardest I’ve seen Djokovic hit the ball, especially on clay,” says the Eurosport co-commentator McEnroe, following a particularly punishing exchange from the baseline. Davidovich Fokina isn’t intimidated by his opponent, that’s for sure.
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Is there anybody out there?
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Djokovic 1-0 *Davidovich Fokina (*denotes next server)
Davidovich Fokina forces 30-30 on the Serb’s serve, then fluffs an unforced error into the net to hand him a game point. Djokovic thumps a fine ace down the middle to seal a hold of serve to kick things off.
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Seconds out, round one. Djokovic v Davidovich Fokina is Go.
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Davidovich Fokina beat Djokovic last year, in Monte Carlo, but the H2H is 2-1 to Djoko.
Simon Reed tells us that Djokovic was broken nine times in that loss, the most ever.
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On the mic for this Djokovic match on Eurosport – Simon Reed and co-commentator John McEnroe. Happy days.
Khachanov beats Kokkinakis! 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (5)
The Russian – playing under a neutral flag following his country’s invasion of Ukraine – gets the job done in the fourth, having been a break down, and staring down the barrel of a five-set epic against the awkward customer, Kokkinakis.
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Who’s next? A geezer called Novak Djokovic, who is going to meet the Spanish 29th seed, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. This could be a tasty affair.
A word for the world No 82 Kamilla Rakhimova, who played some good stuff today, and found a way to put Sabalenka under a bit of pressure at times. Granted, there only appeared to be one winner but Rakhimova acquitted herself well for the most part. The double faults need to go, though, and as I mentioned earlier, Sabalenka knows all about that.
I should tell you that Sabalenka will face Sloane Stephens or Yulia Putintseva in the fourth round. That match is scheduled to start around about now on Suzanne Lenglen.
Sabalenka kicks off her interview with the customary thanks and greetings to the fans around the court. “It feels amazing to feel your support,” she says to the spectators on Philippe Chatrier. “To be on this court, to have an opportunity to play tennis, and try to show your best … it’s something special to play in front of you.”
Does she feel different, with a grand slam won earlier this year, Wilander asks? “I think every tournament is different … especially Roland Garros is different to the Australian Open, a completely different surface. [But] It’s really good to have a grand slam in your pocket, it gives you so much belief.
“Hopefully I’ll do well here in Paris …”
Next, Wilander asks her about that second-serve ace in the second set. “Are you crazy?” he asks, jokingly.
“I just lost it a little bit, OK whatever, I’ll go full on this one,” Sabalenka says. “And if it doesn’t go in, it doesn’t go in. Lucky me, the wind helped me to put this ball in.”
And finally, Wilander asks, how is she spending her down time in Paris?
“I like to go in the good restaurants, enjoy French food, of course I’ll have some time to enjoy Paris. Actually, I love this place.”
And then she’s off.
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Sabalenka beats Rakhimova: 6-2, 6-2
Sabalenka punches a beautiful down-the-line forehand winner for 0-15. Rakhimova double faults for 0-30, her sixth of the match. Sabalenka climbs into a massive second-serve return and it’s three match points – that was her 27th winner of the match, which is fairly frightening.
The first match point comes and goes when Sabalenka hits long … but Rakhimova returns in kind on the next point, and it’s all over. The players shake hands and Sabalenka will have a chat with Mats Wilander.
This is the first time that Sabalenka has reached the second week at Roland Garros.
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Khachanov v Kokkinakis is into a fourth-set tiebreak.
*Rakhimova 2-6, 2-5 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
At 40-30 Sabalenka tries a drop shot but flops it into the net. She slumps her shoulders and looks very far from gruntled …
Sabalenka then looks to have the next point won, with a powerful forehand to the corner, but Rakhimova gets it back, and her opponent can only limply find the net with an attempted backhand. Sabalenka smacks the net with he racket in frustration.
A first break point for the Russian … the first serve is out … and Sabalenka produces a second-serve ace! That’s cool. She then crushes a looping down-the-line clean winner to wrestle back the advantage, both psychologically and on the scoreboard.
But, but, but! Sabalenka tries to bully her opponent in another powerful exchange from the back. Again she nets an unforced error when coming in from the back of the court. The are a couple more deuces thrown in, with Rakhimova defending impressively and making her opponent work. But eventually she is worn down and Sabalenka is a game away from victory. Rakhimova must serve to stay in it.
Rakhimova 2-6, 2-4 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Rakhimova holds, and displays a wry smile as she seals the game. She just needs to find a way to trouble the scorers on the Sabalenka serve …
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Khachanov has struck back against Kokkinakis in the fourth set of their third-round encounter in the men’s singles. It’s 5-5 there now after the Aussie had been a break up. Khachanov is 2-1 up in sets so can finish it if he gets his skates on.
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*Rakhimova 2-6, 1-4 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Sabalenka unveils another party-piece shot with a fearsomely powerful, almost dismissive cross-court winner for 40-0. Rakhimova hits back with one lovely return, a clean winner, off the Sabalenka second serve. But Sabalenka holds easily enough.
Rakhimova 2-6, 1-3 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Impressively, Rakhimova re-find something like her best level, and holds to -15.
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*Rakhimova 2-6, 0-3 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Another step closer for Sabalenka.
Rakhimova 2-6, 0-2 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Sabalenka now brings up two game break points with an utterly sumptuous forehand winner to the corner. Power, precision, timing. Sensational. She overhits another attempted winner at 15-40 … there is a protracted rally on the next break point, Sabalenka defends well, moves around the court brilliantly and forces the error from her opponent. Daylight on the scoreboard in the second, and tough to see how Rakhimova gets back into this.
Sabalenka’s range of shots, power and ability to raise herself for the big points all look to be a class above her opponent. She is, let’s face it, No 2 in the world for good reason.
*Rakhimova 2-6, 0-1 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
It’s 30-30 on the Sabalenka serve and an important point. Both players unload from the baseline in one of the best rallies of the match so far … Sabalenka smokes a big winner down the line and leaves her opponent flat-footed for 40-30. She rounds off the game with a crunching smash, that looks out-ish, but fine on replay.
Kokkinakis is 4-2 up and remains a break up in the fourth v Khachanov. So a five-setter looks likely. Andy Murray knows all about that.
Sabalenka wins the first set v Rakhimova: 6-2
Another double fault arrives early in the latest service game by Rakhimova. Her serve is malfunctioning. And she looks understandably frustrated. If there’s one player who can relate to serving woes, it’s Sabalenka, but the Belarusian is obviously in no mood to display any sympathy just at the moment with a match on the line. It goes to deuce once, but Sabalenka wraps up the first set, peppering her opponent with a few powerful ground strokes on the way.
*Rakhimova 2-5 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Sabalenka is in the zone now and she holds to -15. Rakhimova had won six points in a row just a couple of minutes ago … she then slumped to winning one of 11 … in fact one of 12 now, I think. It’s going to take something special for her to get back in contention in this set.
Rakhimova 2-4 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Consecutive double faults hands Sabalenka two break points. She converts the first, or rather, Rakhimova hands her the break by hitting long to go with the double faults. Rakhimova swats at a ball in sheer annoyance. Which is quite understandable.
Khachanov 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 1-3 Kokkinakis is the score in that third-round match.
Khachanov v Kokkinakis is 3-1 in the fourth. The Aussie is a break up, while Khachanov leads by two sets to one. Potential for an epic just like Kokkinakis playeds against Murray back in January.
*Rakhimova 2-3 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Rakhimova really is growing into this and moves quickly to 0-30 on the Sabalenka serve. The Belarusian responds, though, grappling back to 30-30 … Rakhimova runs down a drop shot and clips a winner down the line, but she loses the point by running into the net before the ball has bounced twice. Sabalenka seals the hold from 0-30 down, which is impressive. She then forgets that it’s time for a changeover and shares a quick joke with the umpire as a result.
Rakhimova 2-2 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
A love hold for the 21-year-old Rakhimova, who was born in Yekaterinburg, Russia. If there was any pre-match tension in her mind and body, it appears to be easing.
These players were welcomed on to Court Philippe Chatrier by the relentless Roland Garros social media team a little earlier.
Rakhimova. Sabalenka.
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2023
Welcome to Chatrier.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/F2TFAjbKve
*Rakhimova 1-2 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Rakhimova poses something of a question at 40-30. But Sabalenka shuts down any hope her opponent may have with a display of fearsome power, forcing Rakhimova out of the point and holding for 2-1. Time for a sit down and a drink (for the players – I’m sitting down already.)
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Rakhimova 1-1 *Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Appropriately for what appears to be a mismatch on paper, Rakhimova’s first service game is a more drawn-out affair. But thanks in no small part to a fortunate drop shot, that appeared to be either badly mishit or misjudged or both, Rakhimova is on the board.
*Rakhimova 0-1 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Sabalenka drives a deep, wide and accurate serve to begin, and then powers a winner to the opposite side of the court for 15-0. Ominous. She then miscues a bit forehand for 15-15, and Rakhimova hits long on the next rally for 30-15. A thunderous ace brings up two game points and Sabalenka converts the first with little fuss.
Sabalenka won the toss and will serve.
OK, down to some more serious business in the women’s singles. The Australian Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka, is about to begin her third-round match against Kamilla Rakhimova, the world No 82. It’s the first meeting between these two players.
Sabalenka was in the news a few days ago:
Hello all. Luke here. Signal failure on the Hammersmith & City scuppered my best-laid plans but I’m here now. Which is arguably the most important thing.
Kasatkina speaks to Eurosport after that crushing win against Stearns. She’s asked if she’s happy with how the tournament’s going, and she says “So far”, while clonking herself on the side of her head in that traditional ‘touch wood’ gesture. How endearing.
“I’m really happy,” she says. “I showed a good level of tennis, and even more importantly, a good level of focus …
“Winning in straight sets helps a lot in the slams.”
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Daria Kasatkina made extremely quick work of American Patty Stearns earlier, winning 6-0, 6-1 in under an hour. Next up for her, either Anna Blinkova or Elina Svitolina.
Elsewhere, Rublev has taken charge against Sonego, leading 7-5, 4-0, while Kokkinakis is hanging in there in the third set, already two down to Khachanov.
Elise Mertens beats Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-3!
It’s the end of the road for the No 3 seed, who is well beaten by Elise Mertens. The No 28 seed from Belgium is into the fourth round for the third time.
Around the grounds: Let’s catch up with the morning’s play so far. On Philippe-Chatrier, the No 3 seed Jessica Pegula is in trouble, losing the first set 6-1 to Elise Mertens.
On Suzanne-Lenglen, Andrey Rublev has an early break against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. On Simonne-Mathieu, Karen Khachanov is cruising towards the fourth round, leading Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-4, 6-1.
Bonjour. Ça va? Luke will be here shortly to pick up all the latest action. In the meantime, why not catch up on Thursday’s news and matches?
