Well, that’s your lot, folks. Considering the conditions, it’s been a memorable day’s play, what with Tsonga’s wonderful victory over Berdych and that absorbing match between Svitolina and Cornet this afternoon, edged by the Ukrainian. Big Stan Wawrinka is through, as are Kei Nishikori and the 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic. Best of all, we can look forward to the second instalment of this wonderful encounter between Federer and Monfils. As John McEnerey says, “these two had a ding-dong battle in the US Open and it could go the distance if Monfils can keep his concentration and capitalise on Federer’s errors”. Let’s hope so, John. Federer recovered from two sets down to win that quarter-final match last September at Flushing Meadows, and another five-setter would do nicely. Thanks to everyone who emailed us and good night.
The players depart with the match fascinatingly poised. Monfils has put in some serious work over the previous three rounds. But with the match now being played over at least two days, tiredness will be less of a factor. What’s more, Monfils now knows he is capable of making an impression on the Swiss – if, indeed, he ever doubted it – and that extra little bit of belief could be important tomorrow. As for Federer, he can hardly be relishing the prospect of playing twice in two days against such an unpredictable opponent. Then again, he’s done it all before, hasn’t he?
And that, I’m afraid, is that. As the players go to change ends, the tournament referee walks out to consult the players. After a brief discussion, play is suspended.
Monfils wins the second set 6-4
Second set: Monfils 6-4 Federer* (sets: 1-0) With the light fading, you would imagine neither player is seeing the ball terribly well. At 40-30, Federer makes an uncharacteristic error off a simple backhand volley. A lengthy rally follows, which ends with Monfils sending a howitzer of a forehand down the line for a winner. Set point to the Frenchman. You could hear the proverbial pin drop. That is, until Monfils crashes a huge winner down the opposite line to claim the set. Cue pandemonium, as the crowd erupts and Monfils beats his chest in triumph.
Second set: Monfils* 5-4 Federer (sets: 1-0) Oh, Gaël. A bad error from the Frenchman at the net has Federer sensing blood and, before you know it, Monfils is facing two break points at 15-40. Federer bides his time, working his way into the net before reclaiming the break with a short volley that leaves the Frenchman stranded. Classic clay-court tennis.
Second set: Monfils 5-3 Federer* (sets: 1-0) It’s all about the volley here. Specifically, the peerless Federer volley. Three times he ventures into the forecourt, three times he claims the point. To round it off, the world No2 finds the line with a huge kick serve. Nice.
Second set: Monfils* 5-2 Federer (sets: 1-0) You have to admire the talent of Monfils. That he’s not achieved more in the game is a mystery. Then again, what else would you expect from the Gallic enigma? There’s nothing too mysterious about the conclusion of this game, mind, Monfils slamming down two successive aces to stretch his lead.
Second set: Monfils 4-2 Federer* (sets: 1-0) Incidentally, Stan Wawrinka has won in straight sets against Gilles Simon over on Suzanne Lenglen. Given that he’ll face the winner of this match next, he’ll surely want to get his media commitments out of the way pretty sharpish and catch some of this. He’ll probably be glad he missed that game, though, because at 15-30 Federer comprehensively outrallied Monfils – who, as you know, loves nothing better than a long rally. Federer then elicits an error from the Frenchman with a deep, vicious slice, and from there wrapping up the game with a big serve is simplicity itself. Assuming your initials are RF, are of course.
Second set: Monfils* 4-1 Federer (sets: 1-0) Some lovely play from Monfils at 15-15. The Frenchman works his way into the net behind a heavy approach shot, Federer hoists up a weak lob, and Monfils slams the ball away. A couple of points later, a big forehand seals the game. He likes that, does Monfils. “Allez!!!” he cries, not for the first time this evening.
Updated
Second set: Monfils 3-1 Federer* (sets: 1-0) So could Federer actually be in trouble here? Well, yes. Possibly. It’s no easy task coming out late at night, on a rain-sodden day, in the knowledge that you’re unlikely to finish the match. Especially against an opponent as unpredictable as Monfils. That said, the Swiss maestro makes short work of that game. Over to you, Gaël.
Thanks Niall, and bonsoir, mes amis. Looks like I’ve joined the party at an interesting juncture, what with Monfils forging ahead 3-0. Honestly, the temerity of it all – does the Frenchman not know he’s up against a living legend? Actually, judging by the audacity of that drop shot in the last game, I’d say not. Either that, or he just doesn’t care. You never really know with Gaël.
Second set: Monfils* 3-0 Federer (sets: 1-0) Textbook inconsistency from Monfils, slipping straight to 0-30, then bouncing back as Federer goes long with a volley. Monfils gives us an allez, bangs down an unreturnable serve, but is undone after failing to put away the volley on a couple of occasions. Deuce, but Monfils gets the job done, closing out as Federer volleys wide.
That’s all from me – I’ll leave you in the capable hands of Les Roopanarine. Thanks for joining me. Au revoir.
Updated
Second set: Monfils 2-0 Federer* (sets: 1-0) A sniff for Monfils at 15-30 as Federer double-faults – and he draws the error from Federer for two break points! Monfils goes long from a smart second serve into the body, but Federer can do nothing about the next point – a vicious backhand sets up the forehand across court, and he takes it!
Second set: Monfils* 1-0 Federer (sets: 1-0) Monfils needs the hold here or this match could start to get away from him. A routine volley and a big, swerving ace get him to 40-15, before a series of clinical forehands move Federer around, opening up space for the winner. Strong stuff from Monfils to open the set.
Roger Federer wins the first set 6-3!
Federer shuts the set down, outgunning Monfils over three quick points to bring up three set points, and then finding a backhand that Monfils doesn’t bother to chase. First set Federer, in under half an hour.
Updated
First set: Monfils* 3-5 Federer Monfils has played two five-setters, and a four-set first round win, while Federer has breezed through without shipping a set. No wonder then, that Monfils isn’t quite at his full-throttle best from the back of the court – but he has enough power in the groundstrokes to find the service hold. Federer to serve for the first set.
In the other game, Wawrinka has a decisive advantage in the third, leading Simon by 3-1, and by two sets. Seeded just four spots below his opponent, the Frenchman will be disappointed to exit in straight sets, as now seems likely.
First set: Monfils 2-5 Federer* After an exchange of points, Federer nudges ahead with a booming serve down the middle – but he nets a volley on the run, and it’s 30-all. Another big serve which almost puts Monfils on the deck, and the game is sealed with a tidy forehand.
First set: Monfils* 2-4 Federer A couple of tired points from Monfils, who came to Paris with an injury and has played a lot more tennis already. He fights back to deuce, double faults again to hand Federer another break – but saves it with a ballsy cross-court forehand! Fed has a lash at a backhand down the line, but it’s way wide. Advantage Monfils – and he tucks away a volley to hold. A confidence booster, there.
First set: Monfils 1-4 Federer* A scrappy game after that blistering start from Federer, but the Swiss master gets over the line care of a loose Monfils forehand.
Updated
First set: Monfils* 1-3 Federer Monfils gets on the board, rattling to a quick hold with his 50th ace of the tournament thrown in...
Franco-Swiss shenanigans everywhere right now, and it’s the Swiss on top, with Stan Wawrinka breaking Gilles Simon with a fizzing winner down the line, and wrapping up the set 6-4.
First set: Monfils 0-3 Federer* Federer looks very sharp for a man who’s spent the day hanging around at Roland Garros, and he belts through another service game, finishing with two aces. Three-love, already.
First set: Monfils* 0-2 Federer An intriguing battle between the pace and footwork of Monfils and, well, the everything else of Federer. Monfils nets at 40-15 to invite a touch of early pressure, and he gets underneath a serve and volley attempt to bring up deuce. Double fault, and Federer has a break point, without having to do too much – and he takes it when Monfils can’t field a punched forehand into the corner.
First set: Monfils 0-1 Federer* Rog gets us up and running, against an opponent who has beaten him twice on clay in the last six months. Straightforward hold here, as Monfils fires a two-handed backhand a long way wide to surrender the game.
We’ll be following the opening exchanges between Monfils and Federer. Rain is still a possibility, although the skies over Roland Garros have brightened. Bad light will probably put an end to the day’s play by 8pm BST, either way, so we’re unlikely to see this match played to a finish. Still be fun, though.
Updated
So, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga produces his best performance for many a month, cutting fourth seed Tomas Berdych down to size on home turf.
That was just an hors d’oeuvre, though – Gaël Monfils and Roger Federer are out on court. Can the French fervour continue? Gilles Simon is doing his best over on Suzanne Lenglen – he’s fighting back against Wawrinka, recovering a break to level the second set at 4-4. Wawrinka still a set to the good.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beats Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3!
No problems this time, as an ace, then a Berdych error, then another ace brings up three match points. A ripping forehand has Berdych on the back foot, and the collective will of the stadium carries his return long. Tsonga wins in four!
Updated
Fourth set: Tsonga 5-3 Berdych* (sets 2-1) Are we on course for another tie-break? Berdych’s record this year is 15-2. I think he’d be more willing than Tsonga, who wants to get the job done, edging to 15-30 as Berdych goes long.
On second serve, Tsonga takes the initiative – and Berdych goes long again! Two poor shots, and it’s two break points for Tsonga... and he takes the first with a huge forehand, punched down the line. I’m not sure where this has come from, but Tsonga will serve for the match – again...
Updated
Fourth set: *Tsonga 4-3 Berdych (sets 2-1) Berdych uses the element of surprise, appearing at the net to punch away a Tsonga backhand. Tsonga keeps calm, and forces the issue with a series of hefty groundstrokes. He’s back in front, from 3-1 down in this set.
Fourth set: Tsonga 3-3 Berdych* (sets 2-1) Even if Tsonga’s nerve deserted him, his form hasn’t – and he levels at 30-all with a terrific two-handed backhand, taken early and punched down the line. Berdych misfires on his own backhand, and it’s break point Tsonga! The Frenchman gives Berdych a taste of his own medicine here, digging in, heaving the ball back – and Berdych nets!
Updated
Vaguely tennis-related clip of the day:
Fourth set: Tsonga* 2-3 Berdych (sets 2-1) Tsonga in trouble at 15-30, but a bold forehand winner gets him back on terms. Another unforced error on the backhand gives break point, and elicits a naughty word from Jo-Wilf. Berdych fires a backhand down the line from a kicking Tsonga serve, but it curls wide. Deuce – but Tsonga digs in, taking charge of the rally on second serve, and Berdych nets to give Tsonga the hold.
Updated
More bad news for France over on Suzanne Lenglen court, where Stan Wawrinka has dominated the first set against Gilles Simon, taking it 6-1. 12th seed Simon is the highest-seeded French player left in the draw, although you sense perhaps not for long.
Fourth set: Tsonga 1-3 Berdych* (sets 2-1) Sun, and a fleeting heavy shower, all in the space of this service game. Berdych still stuttering on occasion – firing a forehand long at game point – but he consolidates the break with a serve that Tsonga can’t quite squirt back into play. Perhaps for the first time, it’s surely Tsonga who’s hoping that the heavens will open.
Fourth set: Tsonga* 1-2 Berdych (sets 2-1) Nothing going quite right for Tsonga, and he lashes a routine volley off the net cord to slip to 30-30. The muttering resumes as Tsonga nets as forehand. Break point – and Berdych takes it with a dainty cross-shot that clips the line. Berdych breaks, and has improved spectacularly since that reprieve at 5-4 down in the third.
Fourth set: Tsonga 1-1 Berdych* (sets 2-1) The crowd still pretty subdued after Berdych snatched that third set. All this dashed false hope is taking me back to those millennial midsummer evenings spent with Tim Henman. Berdych holds to love, and the Czech has rebuilt his ragged second serve, to boot.
Updated
Fourth set: Tsonga* 1-0 Berdych (sets 2-1) Terrific tenacity from Berdych to cling on – but Tsonga will be desperately disappointed not to have this match wrapped up. Despite a couple of rocky moments, including a double fault, he stumbles to a service hold.
Tomas Berdych wins the third set tie-break 7-5!
The momentum is with Berdych here, and Tsonga limply dumps a backhand into the net. The fourth seed pulls a set back, and the disappointment on Philippe Chatrier is palpable.
Updated
Tsonga* 5-6 Berdych Berdych has chosen a fine time to find one of his best shots of the match – a running, two-handed backhand down the line that has Tsonga looking skywards. Tsonga can’t find a first serve – luckily, his second serve is pretty good too, and Berdych’s return flies long. Still, set point to Berdych, on serve...
Tsonga 4-5 Berdych* Tsonga mutters to himself after mistiming a presentable chance off second serve – and a desperate backhand flies way beyond the baseline. Still on serve, pressure building on Tsonga...
Tsonga* 4-3 Berdych Second best for much of this match, Berdych keeps fighting – and Tsonga is forced into a forehand error that restores parity. A change of ends, another beastly Tsonga serve, and it’s 4-3 to the Frenchman.
Tsonga 3-2 Berdych* Berdych gets off the mark with a punched volley into the corner of the court – Tsonga tries to wrap his racket round it, but the passing shot drops just wide! Tsonga nets, and Berdych has done what was required.
Tsonga* 3-0 Berdych Ace down the middle, ace out wide, Berdych has a look, it’s in, and Tsonga is in command...
Third-set tiebreak: Tsonga 1-0* Berdych (sets 2-0) First blood to Tsonga as Berdych goes long with a forehand down the line...
Third set: Tsonga* 6-6 Berdych (sets 2-0) Tomas Berdych is a man who likes a tie-break, so he won’t be too perturbed to see Tsonga rattle through this service game, holding to love. Tsonga, on the other hand, must be wondering what the hell happened two games ago.
Third set: Tsonga 5-6 Berdych* (sets 2-0) Berdych cruises around the court, holding to 15 as a stunned crowd reach for their umbrellas. That’s right, the rain’s back. Tsonga, quite rightly, looks furious with himself. No stoppage yet, though.
Third set: Tsonga* 5-5 Berdych (sets 2-0) There could be as many as five French quarter-finalists in the men’s draw this year – but Tsonga can book his place right now. Berdych isn’t quite finished yet, catching his opponent out with a skidding return. 0-15 – and Tsonga double faults! That was unlucky, the ball clipping the net but bouncing wide on second serve.
Berdych looks uncertain scuttling across the baseline – and he fires long for 15-30. Another rally cut short by Tsonga’s extra power, Berdych again unable to keep the ball inside the baseline. 30-30 – and Tsonga goes for an angled backhand. It’s wide by millimetres. Break point Berdych – and Tsonga goes long! That’s Berdych’s first break of the match...
Updated
Third set: Tsonga 5-4 Berdych* (sets 2-0) Looking a little gloomy overhead. I’ll wager one of these players would be glad for a rain break about now. Berdych has been a tougher proposition on serve in this set, and races to 30-love – but Tsonga digs in, grinding out a big point on Berdych’s second serve. 30-all, and Berdych goes long with a lazy, looping backhand. Break point Tsonga... and Berdych goes long once more! Tsonga will serve for the match, and a straight sets win.
Updated
Third set: Tsonga* 4-4 Berdych (sets 2-0) Berdych digs deep to take it to 30-30 with a forehand winner, and for the first time in a long time, he has Tsonga looking worried on his own serve. It doesn’t last, as another ace brings up game point – and Berdych nets a tepid forehand to level the scores.
Third set: Tsonga 3-4 Berdych* (sets 2-0) Berdych keeps his nose in front in this set, firing down two aces on his way to holding to love.
Over on Suzanne Lenglen court, Kei Nishikori has despatched his Russian opponent Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. He will play the winner of this game in the quarter-finals.
Updated
In case you missed it, both Safarova v Sharapova and Pennetta v Muguruza have been put back until tomorrow. The reason, quite simply, is the persistent rain in the morning, which meant the final matches had little chance of getting finished, or even started, today. Federer v Monfils is still to come on Philippe Chatrier, with more rain forecast this evening.
Third set: Tsonga* 3-3 Berdych (sets 2-0) The French is the Slam where Tomas Berdych has had the least success, but on the calmer side of the draw, and seeded in the top four, he had a chance to break new ground at Ronald Garros. It’s not looking likely so far; Tsonga has made him look one-dimensional.
There’s a sniff for Berdych as Tsonga nets a forehand to go 0-30 down, but in the blink of an eye, Tsonga blazes through the next three points to race back to 40-30. And then... a double fault. Hmm. Deuce. And then - two enormous serves, and Tsonga holds.
Updated
Third set: Tsonga 2-3 *Berdych (sets 2-0) Again, Tsonga does what Berdych cannot, forcing his way into the service game at 30-0 down with another sublime forehand down the line. A rare error as Tsonga goes long on his backhand side, and Berdych holds.
Updated
Third set: Tsonga* 2-2 Berdych (sets 2-0) Another love hold for Tsonga, finished off with his fifth ace of the match. If Berdych was hoping to pressure the Frenchman on serve early in his set, he has failed spectacularly.
Updated
Third set: Tsonga 1-2 Berdych* (sets 2-0) Berdych races to 30-0, but Tsonga has the technique to take the wind from his sails at any moment, leaving the Czech stricken with an angled drop shot. He does it again to haul Berdych back to 40-30, but the fourth seed finds a winning forehand from his second serve.
Third set: Tsonga* 1-1 Berdych (sets 2-0) Tsonga does likewise, crashing through an unstoppable hold to love, the highlight of which is a delicate pass down the line amid all the bluster. Such a good player to watch when he’s firing on all cylinders, is Tsonga; it’s a shame it happens so rarely.
Third set: Tsonga 0-1 Berdych* (sets 2-0) Berdych is in an almighty hole here – he has, in fact, never fought back from two sets down to win in a Grand Slam. Both previous comebacks were in the Davis Cup, which is a different gravy. He scoots through his first service game to love, at least.
Updated
Second set: Tsonga* 6-2 Berdych (sets 2-0) Tomas Berdych has only ever fought back from two sets down twice in his career. He’ll need the hat-trick, as the Czech misses his second serve return once again, then Tsonga outguns Berdych with a run of heaving forehands that earn, and then convert, the set point.
Second set: Tsonga 5-2 Berdych* (sets 1-0) Contrasting emotions out there, as Tsonga chuckles at his own errant drop shot, while Berdych serves with the wind buffeting him square in the face. Berdych finds a way, holding to 15, and Tsonga will have to serve it out.
Second set: Tsonga* 5-1 Berdych (sets 1-0) With Tsonga short of form and fitness, and Berdych perhaps at the peak of his powers, many predicted a one-sided affair – and so it’s proved. Tsonga races through his service game, producing some of the biggest serves we’ve seen all week to hold to love.
Updated
Second set: Tsonga 4-1 Berdych* (sets 1-0) If Cornet was indefatigable, Tsonga appears unstoppable. Berdych continues to misfire, falling to 15-40 care of two unforced errors – and Tsonga is ruthless, smashing a cross-court volley that Berdych can only prod into the net. Double break for Tsonga, just like that.
Updated
Second set: Tsonga* 3-1 Berdych (sets 1-0) Tsonga continues to tick along nicely, closing out the service hold with a drop shot that his opponent can’t reach.
Kevin Mitchell is on Philippe Chatrier today – let’s hope he brought an umbrella. Here’s his report on Alizé Cornet’s exit from the tournament earlier today.
Britwatch
Bad news for Jamie Murray, as he and partner John Peers are knocked out of the men’s doubles in straight sets by seventh seeds Marcin Matkowski and Nenad Zimonjic.
Two Brits are in action in the girls’ singles: Katie Swan is currently locked at one set all with Michaela Gordon, with Maia Lumsden about to get underway against Russia’a Anna Blinkova.
Second set: Tsonga 2-1 Berdych* (sets 1-0) Nothing is coming easy for Berdych – and Tsonga brings up a break point with a floating cross-court forehand that clips the line! Ten forehand winners from Tsonga, who is in total command. Berdych just about gets a smash away, despite slipping on second serve, and it’s deuce.
The pair exchange points, Berdych unable to get any rhythm going, but scrapping hard to avoid the break, and an almost certain 2-0 deficit in sets. The Czech gets lucky as a slice clips the net, then the baseline, and he finds a big first serve to hold.
Updated
Second set: Tsonga* 2-0 Berdych (sets 1-0) Tsonga can’t have expected he’d have found things so easy early on, and he’s prowling the court with confidence now. A ferocious forehand and follow-up smash makes it 40-30, and he closes the game with a wicked forehand that has Berdych on his heels.
Second set: Tsonga 1-0 Berdych* (sets 1-0) Berdych is in an early spot of bother at 0-30 – and he fires a forehand long for three break points! He saves the first – but another unforced error presents the break to Tsonga!
Fourth seed Berdych has had a slightly tougher run to the last sixteen, seeing off Japanese teenager Yoshihito Nishioka, then taking four sets to get past both Radek Stepanek, and France’s Benoît Paire, in subsequent rounds. He was certainly second best in an unconventional first set.
First set: Tsonga* 6-3 Berdych The wind picks up, leaving Tsonga mired on 0-15 and second serve. Berdych goes long with his return, and does so again at 15-30. Needs to take one of these, and pretty soon, obviously. Tsonga beams down a big serve for set point, and a clinical backhand down the line gives him the set! Very nicely done.
Updated
First set: Tsonga 5-3 Berdych* Berdych breezes through his service game, holding to love with a snapping cross-court volley. Now it’s up to Jo-Wilf to get the job done...
Kei Nishikori, who will play the winner of this match, is off to a flyer on Suzanne Lenglen – he’s taken the first set 6-3 against Russia’s Taymuraz Gabashvili.
We’ve also had confirmation, to nobody’s great surprise, that the final matches scheduled for both of the main courts have been postponed – so Safarova v Sharapova and Pennetta v Muguruza will take place tomorrow.
Also tomorrow – Rafael Nadal remains on collision course with Novak Djokovic, but will poor Rafa even get that far? Clay-loving American Jack Sock has other ideas, says Stephanie Myles.
First set: Tsonga* 5-2 Berdych Excellent, aggressive stuff from Tsonga here, firing in meaty first serves and looking the stronger man in the early rallies. No signs of any injury concerns for the French player, and he holds to 30 as Berdych nets a return.
First set: Tsonga 4-2 Berdych* So, here we go again, and I’m pleased to report that the umbrellas are down – primarily because it put a stop to that most tedious of tennis traditions, the Mexican wave. Berdych prevails in a 21-shot rally at 30-15 to take command of the game, then double faults. Another teak-tough rally ensues, but Tsonga goes wide aiming for the Berdych backhand, and the Czech holds.
This is getting a bit silly – the players are still out there, but haven’t resumed play with the rain still falling. Berdych struts out to the baseline, making the point that if they’re out here, they may as well play – the surface isn’t getting any less slippery. After a long conflab between players, umpire and match referee, we are getting back underway.
Updated
The rain abated, but has now returned with renewed vigour, and both players are unhappy with the slippery surface on Philippe Chatrier (Berdych more so, of course). Umpire Carlos Ramos tells the umbrella-festooned crowd that he’s prepared to wait it out, with heavy rain not expected for a couple of hours.
First set: Tsonga* 4-1 Berdych Tsonga digs his way to 40-30, care of a couple of thumping serves, but goes long for deuce. Tsonga, distracted by the rain, which I’m sad to report is drifting in once again, nets a backhand, but Berdych goes long again on break point. Berdych, his radar misfiring, fires a cross-shot wide, but dominates the next point. Deuce once more, but Tsonga gets the hold with a big serve and another wayward effort from Berdych.
First set: Tsonga 3-1 *Berdych The Czech fourth seed is struggling with his serve in the blustery conditions, and Tsonga is able to punch away a winner for 0-30. Berdych rallies, but another terrific passing shot gives Tsonga a break point – and Berdych goes long! Early advantage to the Frenchman.
Updated
First set: Tsonga* 2-1 Berdych Both players happy to stay back at the baseline and thwack the ball at each other in these early stages. Tsonga has too much power in this game, and holds to love.
First set: Tsonga 1-1 Berdych* 14th seed Tsonga hasn’t lost a set in the opening three rounds, powering past Christian Lindell, Dudi Sela and Pablo Andújar. He’ll do very well indeed to keep that going today. Berdych holds to 15.
First set: Tsonga* 1-0 Berdych (*denotes server) Here we go then, it’s the home hope nobody expects to go deep into the draw, against the top-four seed nobody’s tipping to win the tournament. It’s Tsonga who holds, winning the game with a driven winner down the line.
Updated
Who’s next? Cornet may have bitten the dust, but the home hopefuls keep on coming – next up, it’s Tsonga v Berdych. Here’s a song for the occasionally flaky Tsonga, currently warming up in the glare of Philippe Chatrier:
Elina Svitolina beats Alice Cornet 6-2, 7-6 (11-9)
Cornet is pushing her luck, struggling to keep pace with Svitolina’s groundstrokes – and after clipping the net once, she sends a forehand long. After an epic tie-break, having saved five match points, Alizé Cornet goes down fighting.
Svitolina, into her first Grand Slam quarter-final, will play 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic, who has beaten Ekaterina Makarova 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.
Updated
Second set tie-break: Svitolina* 10-9 Cornet (sets 1-0) Svitolina takes the second service point, and it’s a sixth match point...
Second set tie-break: Svitolina* 9-9 Cornet (sets 1-0) Another match point goes by as Svitolina goes long – but on the next point, Cornet tries, for some reason, a drop shot into the wind. Match point No5, and it’s on serve. Cornet, naturally, produces a spellbinding cross-court winner to level things up. This is brilliant.
Second set tie-break: Svitolina* 8-7 Cornet (sets 1-0) Cornet’s not the only one up for the fight – Svitolina holds both service points, closing both out with ice-cold overhead smashes. Match point No4...
Second set tie-break: Svitolina 6-7 Cornet* (sets 1-0) More determination from Cornet, more nerves from Svitolina, and it’s a set point for Cornet as her opponent goes long!
Second set tie-break: Svitolina 6-6 Cornet* (sets 1-0) She refuses to lose. Cornet digs in on serve, and Svitolina gets frustrated, going long down the line!
Second set tie-break: Svitolina 6-5 Cornet* (sets 1-0) saves the first with a cross-court ripper, cranking up the pressure – and she saves a second with an extraordinary return, landing a thumping serve on a sixpence and forcing Svitolina to go long!
Second set tie-break: Svitolina 6-3 Cornet* (sets 1-0) This is a shame. After playing almost fault-free tennis since going 4-2 and 0-40 down, Cornet overhits two simple forehands in quick succession as the nerves get to her. Three match points for Svitolina.
Second set tie-break: Svitolina* 4-3 Cornet (sets 1-0) And there it is – the mini-break is eradicated with a winner, and we’re back on serve.
Second set tie-break: Svitolina* 4-2 Cornet (sets 1-0) A change of ends, with Svitolina three points away. I pity the fool writing off Alizé Cornet just yet, though.
Second set tie-break: Svitolina 3-2 Cornet* (sets 1-0) Cornet does what’s required, forcing her opponent to net after a long old rally to secure the second service point. Over to you, Elina...
Second set tie-break: Svitolina* 3-0 Cornet (sets 1-0) The Ukrainian takes advantage, taking both service points – the second sealed with a running cross-court winner. Two huge service points for Cornet now...
Updated
Second set tie-break: Svitolina 1-0 Cornet* (sets 1-0) Advantage Svitolina straight away, as she takes the first point on Cornet’s serve...
Updated
Second set: Svitolina* 6-5 Cornet (sets 1-0) Svitolina looks keen to get this one wrapped up, blazing a winner to go 15-0 up. A change of ends has helped, with the not inconsiderable breeze now behind the Ukrainian. A poor passing shot from Cornet makes it 30-0, before the home favourite battles back, clipping the line with a forehand for 30-30 – and she outlasts Svitolina on the next point, putting a smash away for break point. Svitolina sends a loose shot wide, and it’s tie-break time!
It’s advantage Ivanovic in the other last-sixteen match – she’s taken a commanding 4-1 lead in the third set, with Makarova double faulting to hand her a double break.
Second set: Svitolina* 6-5 Cornet (sets 1-0) Cornet opens up her next service game with a double fault – then outfoxes the charging Svitolina with a drive straight down the middle – and an error from Svitolina makes it 30-15. Cornet gets a drop shot right to open up the court, and it’s two game points. She nets after a furious rally – and frames a forehand for deuce!
I honestly can’t tell what Cornet is going to do from one moment to the next. It’s great to watch. Perhaps not for the Paris crowd – and Svitolina gets a break point with a cute drop shot that Cornet can only lob way long. Cornet fires a fizzing shot onto the baseline – but Svitolina leaves it, claiming it’s out! That’s a big call – and the umpire agrees! Svitolina will serve for the match, again.
Updated
Second set: Svitolina* 5-5 Cornet (sets 1-0) Plenty of home favourites to come, but can Alizé Cornet prolong her Roland Garros run any further? She’s off to a good start, going 15-30 up as her opponent looks a little anxious. Svitolina stands firm, taking the next point and fielding a barrage from Cornet – but the French player finds a gap, and has break point! She gets over the top of a forehand though, and it’s deuce.
Svitolina undercooks a shot into the middle of the court, and Cornet punishes the mistake, but then fires a cross-court shot wide. But Cornet forces another break, and a shaky Svitolina goes long! Alizé Cornet just won’t quit.
Updated
On Suzanne Lenglen Court, Makarova has levelled things up, taking the second set 6-3. Into the decider, there.
Second set: Svitolina 5-4 Cornet* (sets 1-0) From looking a spent force at 0-40 down, Cornet has won eight of the last nine points. Make that 9/10, as Svitolina bunts a second serve return. Just when Cornet looks to be back in things, an ugly double fault makes it 15-30 – but a wild attempt down the line restores parity.
Svitolina then finds the line with a cross-court shot, but it’s called out! The point will have to be replayed, but Cornet fires long, and it’s break point. She takes it, and will serve for the match. Great composure after that shocker of a line call – she could have been forgiven for thinking the game was turning against her.
Updated
Second set: Svitolina* 4-4 Cornet (sets 1-0) Big game now, as Svitolina, who has wasted three virtual match points, needs to hold just to keep ahead in this set. A nervy forehand lands just in, but a looping shot from the baseline goes wide. Cornet moves to 15-30, coming in to put a volley away – and Svitolina nets for 15-40! The first cracks are appearing in the teenager’s game – but Cornet lets her off the hook with a howler of a drop shot attempt. No matter – Cornet bosses the next point to break back!
Updated
Here’s Ed Graham: “I’m here but nothing funny happened to me during the rain break … in fact, I’m here working on a Sunday, so you can expect a complete absence of anything entertaining.” Well, that would depend where you work, Ed...
Second set: Svitolina 4-3 Cornet* (sets 1-0) If Cornet doesn’t hold here, it’s surely all over – and she’s outgunned by her opponent on the first point, before firing a wayward effort beyond the baseline. 0-30, and a lazy waft into the net brings up three break points. A big serve, then a poor return, and it’s back to 30-40 – and a long forehand brings up deuce! Cornet gets the job done in two points, simply outlasting her opponent, who really took her eye off the ball there.
Updated
Second set: Svitolina* 4-2 Cornet (sets 1-0) Cornet slumps to 30-0 down before getting something going with a forehand. The next point, the French player moves Svitolina around, opening up the court for a smash – which lands plum on the line. Cornet motors into the net next point – but Svitolina drills a cross-court shot past her! 40-30, and she serves out.
Second set: Svitolina 3-2 Cornet* (sets 1-0) Cornet opens up with a shocking overhit volley, and Svitolina takes command, punching away a winner to make it 0-40. Cornet attempts a drop shot, but Svitolina is all over it, and takes the break with little fuss. Cornet has held her serve just twice so far.
Second set: Svitolina* 2-2 Cornet (sets 1-0) Svitolina races through her service game to level. The Ukrainian won the first set comfortably, six games to two. It’s blowing a hell of a gale out on court at the moment.
Let’s switch our attention to Philippe Chatrier for a few moments. Alizé Cornet, who has had a wild and wacky tournament in front of her home fans, has just held serve for 2-1 in the second against Elena Svitolina.
In the meantime, anybody out there? Get in touch via the usual methods, with the subject line ‘A funny thing happened during the rain break’...
First set: Ivanovic 7-5 Makarova* The players trade unforced errors, with Ivanovic finding the net and Makarova going wide with a shot down the line. Ivanovic has a sniff at 30-30, and she earns a set point, forcing her opponent out of the point with some big hitting. On second serve, she goes down the line early – and finds the winner! First set to the former champion.
Updated
First set: Ivanovic* 6-5 Makarova A dominant Ivanovic races to 40-0, hitting big serves and clean winners, before a wide passing shot and a poor long forehand make it 40-30 – but the Serbian finds a terrific first serve down the T to sew up the game.
First set: Ivanovic 5-5 Makarova* Makarova races to 30-0, then hits a double fault – her first of the tournament. Having seen her second serve in action, that’s something of a surprise. An overhead smash gets her back in gear, and she wraps it up. Heading for a tie-break here, surely.
First set: Ivanovic* 5-4 Makarova Some damp spots on the court, which is making movement slightly tricky. Ivanovic decides to save time with a couple of big serves for 40-15, and closes out. Makarova will serve to stay in the set.
On Philippe Chatrier, Svitolina has taken the first set against Alizé Cornet. Resuming 3-0 up, Svitolina held on after the players exchanged breaks to take the set 6-2. It would be remiss of me not to mention that the winners of these two games play each other in the last eight.
Updated
First set: Ivanovic 4-4 Makarova* New balls, and Ivanovic takes advantage, going after a weak second serve to go 0-30 up, but Makarova levels with some clinical hitting, forcing Ivanovic into an underhit return. Ivanovic then nets a presentable second serve, before Makarova is wise to the drop shot, charging to the net to seal the game.
First set: Ivanovic* 4-3 Makarova Ivanovic looks to be in control at 40-15, but an intelligent angled return winner puts the Russian back in the game – she can’t repeat the trick, and nets a soft return to hand the game to Ivanovic.
First set: Ivanovic 3-3 Makarova* (*denotes server) A barrage of unforced errors to get us started, with Makarova holding as Ivanovic fires a return wide.
Updated
We’ll be focusing on Ivanovic v Makarova for the time being. The two players are going through their paces on Suzanne Lenglen. Ivanovic leads 3-2 in the first set, but we’re still on serve.
A good couple of hours of play lost, and with maybe seven hours left today, it’s hard to see four matches being completed on either of the main courts – so it could be a difficult day for those scheduled to appear later on, including Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer. We will, as always, endeavour to keep you updated on any schedule changes.
Updated
Play is about to resume
The rain has eased off, the covers are off, the lunches have been taken care of. Time for some tennis!
Reports swirling today that Robin Soderling, who has been out of the game since 2011 with severe glandular fever, could make a comeback next year. The Swede, one of the Tour’s major players before his illness, remains the only player to beat Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros. Whether he still will be by next Sunday, who knows. Here’s an interview with the man himself from late last year:
There’s activity on the show courts, with covers being prodded, although not yet removed, and water swept away. Several match officials appear to be halfway through a forbidding buffet lunch though, so it might be a few minutes yet.
While we wait, here’s something we’ve dug out of the dusty Observer archive, held somewhere deep within Guardian Towers – it’s a report from Wimbledon in 1973, on a brash young Swede named Björn Borg, who was set to make his SW19 bow after enthralling crowds at the French.
Björn Borg is the best junior tennis player in the world today. The play of this Swedish boy, aged 16, has been one bright spot in the wettest and most soul-destroying French tennis championships in memory. Yesterday, Borg went out in his rain-interrupted men’s singles quarter-final against Adriano Panatta, but left in his wake an impressive list of victims.
In the following eight years, Borg hoovered up 11 Grand Slams – six in Paris, five at Wimbledon – and was the only man to ever make Fila look good. You can read more here.
Updated
No play before 12.45pm BST. The skies are clearer, but rain is still falling. Boo! When play does get back underway, we’ll keep an eye on both women’s matches that are set to resume.
Ana Ivanovic is bidding to make her first quarter-final appearance since she won the trophy back in 2008. This is still her favourite Slam though, with a 30-9 record in Paris. Across the net, Ekaterina Makarova is looking for a third straight Grand Slam semi-final appearance, after reaching the last four in Melbourne and New York. A doubles Grand Slam winner previously, this is just her second fourth round appearance here; she’s exited in the first round on four occasions. File this one under ‘too close to call’.
In the game on Philippe Chatrier, 20-year-old Elina Svitolina had raced into a 3-0 lead before the heavens opened. This is the furthest that the Ukrainian has ever been in a Grand Slam, although she won the junior title here in 2010. Her opponent, Alizé Cornet, is also a former Roland Garros girls’ champion, and the last remaining French player in the women’s draw. Cornet has had a tricky run to this stage, and offered up this, uh, memorable serve in her last match:
Updated
Here’s Ivanovic holding her serve ahead of the rain break, with umbrellas very much in evidence around the court.
Fighting the elements and a tough opponent, great effort from @anaivanovic to hold her serve. #RG15 https://t.co/TabwHlwDcd
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2015
The covers are still firmly on all courts, and the restart has moved back from 11.30am to 11.45am, which still looks optimistic. Thankfully, the forecast for around Roland Garros doesn’t look too grim this afternoon.
Updated
Order of play
So here’s today’s schedule – weather permitting.
Philippe Chatrier Court:
Elina Svitolina (Ukr) [19] v Alizé Cornet (Fra) [29]
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra) [14] v Tomas Berdych (Cze) [4]
Gaël Monfils (Fra) [13] v Roger Federer (Sui) [2]
Flavia Pennetta (Ita) [28] v Garbiñe Muguruza (Esp) [21]
Suzanne Lenglen Court:
Ana Ivanovic (Srb) [7] v Ekaterina Makarova (Rus) [9]
Kei Nishikori (Jpn) [5] v Teymuraz Gabashvili (Rus)
Stan Wawrinka (Sui) [8] v Gilles Simon (Fra) [12]
Lucie Safarova (Cze) [13] v Maria Sharapova (Rus) [2]
Of course, that’s all very well, but at present, the weather has other ideas. It’s raining at Roland Garros, with play not expected to restart until 11.30am BST.
In today’s early women’s singles matches, Cornet was 3-0 down to Svitolina on Philippe Chatrier, with Ivanovic v Makarova on serve on Suzanne Lenglen; Ivanovic leads 3-2.
Updated
Preamble
Welcome to day eight at Roland Garros. It’s a week since the tournament began, and a week until it’s all over. With the fourth round beginning today, this is where the French Open gets serious. They were just playing for laughs before; not any more, with the top 16 thrown into battle together.
Today’s men’s matches come from the dark side of the draw; with Nadal, Djokovic and Murray in the top half, Roger Federer leads an octet of hopefuls chasing a spot in the final. Federer, not especially familiar or comfortable with a crowd not on his side, plays home hope Gaël Monfils in arguably the pick of the day’s matches. That match is preceded on Philippe Chatrier Court by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga against 4th seed Tomas Berdych. Elsewhere, Gilles Simon, a third Frenchman fighting a higher seed, faces Stan Wawrinka, while US Open finalist Kei Nishikori plays Russia’s unseeded Teymuraz Gabashvili.
Defending women’s champion Maria Sharapova will hope to continue her progress towards the final against the dangerous Lucie Safarova. Ana Ivanovic, the only other top 8 seed in Sharapova’s half of the draw, has a tricky early assignment against Ekaterina Makarova. Home favourite Alize Cornet is first in action on Philippe Chatrier against Elina Svitolina, while Flavia Pennetta and Spain’s Garbine Muguruza will fight for the final quarter-final berth.
Updated
Niall will be here shortly but in the meantime, catch up with Saturday’s action where Serena Williams was forced to work for her place in the fourth round by Victoria Azarenka.
There were 17 American women in the French Open draw at the start of the week. At the end of play on Monday – if rain does not sluice through the entertainment – there will be one and her name is likely to be Serena Williams, despite trailing by a set and being 3-1 down in the second.
The World No 1, by turn moody, tearful and seemingly ill as she wiped her eyes and spluttered into her towel between games for most of the two hours and two minutes this dramatic fight lasted on Court Philippe Chatrier on Saturday evening, somehow found a way to grind down Victoria Azarenka 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 and book a place in the fourth round against her compatriot Sloane Stephens.
There were many high points and a couple of explosive moments in the last match of the day – none edgier than on set point in the second set when Azarenka complained bitterly about a call against her drive to the baseline. The ball was in and Azarenka rightly enough wanted the point awarded rather than replayed. The umpire’s judgment in the American’s favour did little for the Belarusian’s equanimity and Williams struck.
