Key events
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Swiatek beats Bouzkova! 6-4, 6-2
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Jabeur beats Fernandez! 6-4, 7-6 (5)
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Second set tiebreak! Fernandez 4-6, 6-6 Jabeur
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Tauson beats Kenin! 6-2, 7-5
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Swiatek wins the first set v Bouzkova! 6-4
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Vondrousova beats Paquet! 6-1, 6-3
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Jabeur wins the first set v Fernandez! 6-4
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Sinner beats Kotov! 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
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Arnaldi beats Rublev! 7-6, 6-2, 6-4
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Danilovic beats Vekic! 0-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8)
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Gauff beats Yastremska! 6-2, 6-4
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Cocciaretto beats Samsonova! 7-6 (4), 6-1
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Gauff wins the first set v Yastremska: 6-2
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Cocciaretto wins the first set against Samsonova: 7-6 (4)
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Preamble
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.
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.
Hurkacz 6-3 Shapovalov was the first-set score on Simonne-Mathieu.
*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.
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.
Second set tiebreak! Fernandez 4-6, 6-6 Jabeur
A nervy breaker awaits. Can Fernandez stay in this?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
*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?
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.
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.
*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.
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.
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 …
Kate Connolly
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.
*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.
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.
*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 …
*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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