The French Open is now underway as the world’s best players battle it out on the famous clay courts of Roland Garros. Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek are the defending champions but there are a whole host of contenders at the second Grand Slam of 2024.
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A remarkable match and result, which takes Ofner into a third-round match against the winner of Corentin Moutet vs Alexander Shevchenko. Moutet is currently two sets to the good, but a break down in the third.
Let’s have a quick catch-up on some of the action on the outside courts, now we’ve got sunshine in Paris:
17th seed Liudmila Samsonova made light work of US outsider Amanda Anisimova, winning 6-2, 6-1.
Samsonova’s opponent in the third round will be Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who has just beaten Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-4.
US 11th seed Danielle Collins is out, suffering a shock loss to Ola Danilovic 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-4.
Frances Tiafoe (25) is also out, losing to Denis Shapovalov 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
VOLYNETS 6-0 1-6 4-6 VONDROUSOVA
This was another match that felt like it went on for days but after a scare, fifth seed Marketa Vondrousova is through at the expense of US challenger, Katie Volynets.
Both players exchanged breaks in the decider, but it was Vondrousova who piled on the pressure in the final game with two winners to take advantage of a rare Volynets double fault.
On her third match point, Vondrousova got it done and the Czech will now face French outsider Chloe Paquet in the third round.
Paquet won an epic against another Czech, Katerina Siniakova (32), on Court 7 a little earlier today. That one finished 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(6).
Madison Keys (14) has a beaming smile after pocketing that win over Mayar Sherif in straight sets. Speaking on court, Keys said:
💬 “She really raised her level in the second set. I had a few chances to break but couldn’t do it. Had I done, things might have been different. But I’m really happy to get things done in two sets.
“I missed the beginning of the season and felt some pressure trying to catch-up with everyone in Miami. But once I got some momentum in Madrid, it’s been so far so good. I’m just really happy with how I’m playing and that I get another match here.”
It’s a day off tomorrow for Keys, who said she will try to find an indoor court to practice despite the weather – but if she doesn’t manage it, she’s happy to rest too. That sounds like a lovely place to be.
Madison Keys (14) was dominant in the opening set but the second was very different on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
A brief exchange of breaks mid-set was led by Mayar Sherif, who then earned three set points in the tiebreak. But Keys dug in, saved them all and then took her one and only shot at match point to reach the third round.
Keys will now face either Sara Errani or compatriot and 22nd seed, Emma Navarro in the third round.
DJOKOVIC 6-4 1-0* CARBALLES BAENA
That was a pretty competitive first set from Roberto Carballes Baena against the world No 1 after those early exchanges, but Novak Djokovic knows exactly how to navigate these things.
With the Spaniard serving to stay in the set, Djokovic ups the ante and pockets the first of two break points to nick the opening set.
It remains difficult to see anything other than a straight sets win here for the top seed, but we’ll see.
The covers are coming off
Better news from the outside courts too at Roland Garros, with the covers off and umbrellas put to one side.
Here's hoping we'll get a clear afternoon of play from here on in. There's a lot of catching up to do.
And remember, that includes an earlier start on Friday when play will begin an hour earlier than has been the case this week.
The covers are coming off
Better news from the outside courts too at Roland Garros, with the covers off and umbrellas put to one side.
Here's hoping we'll get a clear afternoon of play from here on in. There's a lot of catching up to do.
And remember, that includes an earlier start on Friday when play will begin an hour earlier than has been the case this week.
RUUD 7-6 1-6 6-3 2-5 DAVIDOVICH FOKINA
Ruud unloads a big crosscourt forehand to hold to 30 and then forces two break back points with a sharp, low return.
It’s often a mixed bag from Foki as he follows up some shockers with moments of magic and he delivers here under stress to hold from deuce and close-in on taking us into a decider.
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RUUD 7-6 1-6 6-3 1-4 DAVIDOVICH FOKINA
The World No.32 often seems to have more penetration on his attempt at killer shots. A case in point comes when he ends an eye-catching exchange with a sizzling backhand winner up the line.
Ruud benefits from a net cord to make deuce but an emphatic smash and a booming forehand see the Spaniard back up the break.
