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The Guardian - UK
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Guardian sport

French Open 2016: Djokovic defeats Bedene, Tsonga out, and more – day seven as it happened

Novak Djokovic returns in his third-round match against Britain’’s Aljaz Bedene at the French Open.
Novak Djokovic returns in his third-round match against Britain’’s Aljaz Bedene at the French Open. Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

That concludes the action at Roland Garros which is near enough in darkness now and that feels like an appropriate juncture to bring our coverage to a close. Thanks for reading as always!

Djokovic beats Bedene 6-2, 6-3, 6-3

Djokovic is going to get his wish – the world No1 has two match points but needs just one of them and he advances simply enough into the last 16.

Bedene’s shot was long, the umpire injects a bit of humour and goes to check the ball’s mark, delaying the confirmation of Djokovic’s win but just a few seconds but win he does.

Djokovic rattles through another service game and wallops the spare ball in his pocket to the other end. Djokovic is 5-3 ahead in the third set and Bedene will serve to stay in the match. You have to feel a little for Bedene, such is the disdain Djokovic is showing for potentially coming back tomorrow – but the Brit is digging in.

Djokovic holds, but is made to work for it, for 4-2 but Bedene is in no rush to finish as the night draws in and comfortably holds for 4-3.

Play has been suspended on on court 3 with the Williams sisters taking the first set against Vitalia Diatchenko and Galina Voskoboeva.

Djokovic is racing to get this finished but Bedene is enjoying himself and reaches 30-30 with a wonderful lob on the stretch. He’s enjoying himself very much now – Bedene breaks for 2-2 in the third.

Tomas Berdych has wrapped things up against Pablo Cuevas, prevailing 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 to reach the last 16 and David Goffin will join him after a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 win over Nicolas Almagro.

Djokovic is bidding to join him and is 2-1 up in the third set, and has the serve – the light may be an obstacle to advance before play ends for the day though.

Djokovic looks like a man in a hurry now and he’s 2-0 up in the third set against Bedene.

Kiki Bertens has finally won through against Russia’s 29th seed Daria Kasatkina, taking the deciding set 10-8 and Roberto Bautista Agut has wrapped up a straight sets win against Borna Coric, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

Djokovic resumes normal service and takes the second set for a 6-2, 6-3 lead.

Bedene’s struggling to hold though and Djokovic earns a set point on the Brit’s serve. Bedene forces deuce, and quite a few more but he eventually serves it out to key the second set alive.

Meanwhile, Madison Keys has wrapped up a straight sets win against Monica Puig while David Goffin and Nicolas Almagro are into a decider. Tomas Berdych is 2-1 to the good against Pablo Cuevas and Robert Bautista Agut is closing in on victory over Borna Coric.

Hmmm. Bedene breaks back straight away, perhaps that racket toss was just what he needed.

Bedene is losing his composure a little bit here and tosses his racket to the ground briefly. That would be because he’s just been broken again and Djokovic is serving for the second set.

Djokovic is racing through the gears now and has moved into a 3-1 lead in the second set with another early break. A long way back for Bedene now. Over on court 17, Madison Keys is a set up against Monica Puig and they’re 2-2 in the second.

Meanwhile, Belgium’s David Goffin is two sets to one up against Nicolas Almagro and but Roberto Bautista Agut is faring better than his fellow Spaniard and has just taken the second set against Borna Coric for a 2-0 lead.

It would be wrong to say that Bedene has not had his moments in the opening set but Djokovic shows his clinical side whenever he scents and opportunity and duly takes a 6-2 lead.

Elsewhere, Pablo Cuevas and Tomas Berdych are 1-1 in the third set with one each to their names.

Djokovic is making light work Bedene in the early stages and has raced into a 3-1 lead … but the Brit has fought back for a break point. He can’t take it but he’s making Djokovic work for this game. A number of deuces ensue but Djokovic eventually prevails for a 4-1 lead in the first set.

Kasatkina has won the second set 6-3 to force a decider against Bertens on court 16.

Aljaz Bedene and Novak Djokovic have arrived on Philippe-Chatrier and are warming up.

Venus Williams beat Alize Cornet 7-6 1-6 6-0

And that’s it, a masterclass from Venus in the third set to secure her place in the last 16.

Almagro fights back to level with one set apiece with Goffin.

Cuevas takes the first set 6-4 over Berdych.

The last French woman in the singles is on the verge of defeat. Venus takes the fifth with ease to make it 5-0 over Cornet.

15th seed Madison Keys is 1-1 in her opening set with Monica Puig.

Wham! and Venus breaks again, she’s 4-0 up and Cornet can’t seem to match the gear to which she has stepped up.

14th seed Roberto Bautista Agut opens well against Borna Coric, he’s 3-0 up in the first.

And she is on course to do so, that’s the third game finished with a gloriously weighted volley to take it to 3-0.

There is a determined look in her eyes as she aims at closing this out quickly.

Venus breaks Cornet in the second, she comes back hard from the loss of the second set and is now 2-0 up.

With the early finish to the Tsonga match Britain’s Aljaz Bedene will now play Novak Djokovic on Philippe-Chatrier next.

Venus opens the third set with a win and some strong hitting. It’s 1-0.

Looks like Tsonga took a groin strain.

And Venus plays into the net! Cornet has the second set 6-1 and goes in to the third with all the momentum.

Cornet has set point against Venus ...

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was playing well against the unseeded Latvian Ernests Gulbis but has retired from the French Open.

Tsonga who was 5-2 up in the first set has retired.

Cornet breaks again and its 5-1 she has the serve for the second set.

A double break for Almagro as he goes 3-0 up on serve.

Almagro takes an early break in the second against Goffin, he’s 2-0 up.

Cornet is in the zone - “allez” goes the cry. And she wins the fifth to love. It’s 4-1 and Venus looks a little discombobulated.

And she wins it! Cornet takes a 3-1 lead as she prepares to serve against Venus. A great comeback after losing the first set on the tie-break.

Cornet is making some big hits and has a break point against Venus.

Here’s the match report from Serena Williams v Kristina Mladenovic, a tough fight for the defending champion.

And Bertens does the same over over Kasatkina, she wins the first 6-2.

Goffin seals the first set against Almagro 6-2.

Serena’s match point after a tough fight with Mladenovic.

Williams and Cornet go with serve in the opening of the second set. It’s 1-1.

The Netherlands’ Kiki Bertens has taken an early lead over Russia’s Daria Kasatkina, after their match was shifted to court 16. She’s 4-2 to the good in the first set.

Number seven seed Tomas Berdych is a break down to Pablo Cuevas (the 25th seed) on court 1, it’s 2-1 there on the Cuevas serve.

On court 2 Belgium’s David Goffin, the 12th seed, has also begun well against Spain’s Nicolas Almagro with a 4-1 lead.

Always popular at Roland Garros, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has opened well against the unseeded Latvian Ernests Gulbis and is 3-1 up on serve.

And it is enough as Cornet puts the return in the net and Venus wins the first set 7-6 (7-5).

And another with a forehand cross court but Venus is to serve.

Cornet saves one with a sweet pass.

Venus wins her serve, it’s 6-3 and she has three set points.

Cornet fights hard and does well to win her serve - 4-3 and Venus to serve.

Venus breaks back immediately and knows it was huge - 4-2.

Cornet breaks back to make it 3-2 on her serve.

Venus takes the lead, it’s 2-1.

The crowd are getting behind the French player as they go into the deciding tie-break.

Cornet puts on a strong showing to take Venus to a tie-break in the first set.

Next up on Philippe-Chatrier it’s Ernests Gulbis v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. In case you missed it Britain’s Aljaz Bedene wil play Novak Djokovic on Suzanne-Lenglen after the Venus Williams v Alize Cornet match concludes.

Her sister is through but over on Suzanne-Lenglen Venus is 4-4 with France’s Alize Cornet.

And he does so: David Ferrer beat Feliciano Lopez 6-4 7-6 6-1

The 11th seed went through in straight sets making it his seventh consecutive victory over his countryma, putting the winner of the 2013 title into the last 16 again.

Ferrer meanwhile is looking to finish early, he’s 5-1 up on Lopez in the third, and two sets to the good already.

Serena Williams beat Kristina Mladenovic 6-4 7-6 (12-10)

The defending champion was not in the best of form and frustrated with many of her shots but ground out a solid victory against a spirited defence from Mladenovic to reach the last 16.

Updated

And she’s won after some fight.

Williams has another match point.

But Mladenovic strikes back it’s 10-10.

Serena Williams breaks again to have match point on her serve.

But Serena breaks to make it 9-9.

Mladenovic has match point at 9-8 in the tie-break after a superb drop shot.

And its going quickly 6-6 as Mladenovic saves a match point.

And we’re underway with the Williams-Mladenovic tie-break.

Warm-ups underway at maximum speed.

With play set to begin again soon here’s how we stand:

Serena Williams leads Kristina Mladenovic 6-4 6-6 - they will resume with the tie-break.

Venus Williams leads Alize Cornet 2-1 in the first set.

David Ferrer leads Feliciano Lopez 6-4 7-6 and 2-1

We hope play will resume soon as the covers are coming off at Roland Garros. The schedule has been changed because of the delay. Novak Djokovic will now play Aljaz Bedene on Suzanne-Lenglen after the Venus Williams v Alize Cornet match concludes. David Goffin v Nicolas Almagro will now be played third on court 2.

An update from Roland Garros - now no play until 3.45pm at the earliest.

While the rain continues a gallery from Roland Garros.

There’ll be no play before 4.15pm in Paris (3.15pm BST):

Covers on at Roland Garros.

Updated

No play before 3.30pm organisers announce at Roland Garros.

Still set to come on Philippe-Chatrier after the Williams - Mladenovic match is concluded:

Ernests Gulbis (LAT) v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [6]

Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] v Aljaz Bedene (GBR)

Play suspended due to rain

It is heaving it down at Roland Garros, not a little pitter patter but the big thick stuff that has the fans scurrying for shelter.

Serena Williams still faces a tie-break with Kristina Mladenovic after these dark clouds brought the rain to Roland Garros.

Scores as we stand:

Serena Williams leads Kristina Mladenovic 6-4 6-6.

Venus Williams leads Alize Cornet 2-1 in the first set.

David Ferrer leads Feliciano Lopez 6-4 7-6 and 2-1

All play suspended across Roland Garros.

But we will have to wait as the rain increases and play is suspended.

Mladenovic holds with an ace and they go to a tie-break.

Thunder and lightning too now but play goes on, 30-15 on Mladenovic’s serve.

Mladenovic serves to stay in the match with Williams while the rain gets heavier ...

Grey skies and brollies but Serena holds to love and its 6-5.

Mladenovic holds serve, she is doing all she can to stay in this match and is rightly pumped up. Its 5-5.

Umbrellas going up at Roland Garros ... Will Serena have time to close out the match? She is 15-0 up.

Serena holds her serve to go 5-4 up and a game away from the match.

No9 seed Venus Williams opens with a win against France’s Alize Cornet.

Mladenovic clings on to her service game again, it’s not pretty but it is tense and it’s 4-4 with Williams.

Ferrer takes the tie-break 8-6 and is now 2-0 up on Lopez, whose attempt to end the run of six-consecutive defeats to his opponent will now have to go to five sets.

Williams is still unhappy with her game and looking frustrated but holds serve to go 4-3 up.

Mladenovic holds her serve after a mammoth battle saving several break points, it’s 3-3.

Lopez holds his serve to force a tie-break in the second with Ferrer.

Williams is still stuttering, she was beaten with a glorious backhand from Mladenovic in the fifth but still did enough to win and go 3-2 up.

Williams takes Mladenovic to deuce but she hangs on to make it 2-2 in the second set.

Ferrer, who is one set up, breaks back to make it 5-5 in the second against Lopez.

Williams holds serve to go 2-1 up in the second.

Next up on Suzanne-Lenglen: Venus Williams v Alize Cornet

Mladenovic holds to go 1-1 with Williams in the second.

Dominic Thiem beats Alexander Zverev 6-7 6-3 6-3 6-3

Williams opens the second set with service win, but can Mladenovic, who is putting up a real fight, force a third?

Thiem is closing on a win against Zverev, he is 2-1 up and 5-2 in the fourth.

Cracking stuff from Williams v Mladenovic.

Carla Suarez Navarro beats Dominika Cibulkova 6-4 3-6 6-1.

After struggling with her game Williams, as so often is the case, has it when it counts, breaking Mladenovic to win the set 6-4.

Mladenovic pushes Williams all the way with break points in her favour but Williams again just holds on to go 5-4 up in the first.

Suarez Navarro looks in control with a 4-1 lead over Cibulkova in the final set.

Lopez comes back at Ferrer after losing the first set he has a break in the second and is 2-1 up.

Updated

Nip and tuck on Philippe-Chatrier as Williams takes Mladenovic to deuce but the French player holds to make it 4-4.

Williams was not looking comfortable but takes her next service game with a little more ease, it’s 4-3 against Mladenovic.

Ferrer takes the first set against Lopez 6-4.

Mladenovic holds serve again and it’s 3-3 with Williams.

Thiem is establishing himself against Zverev, taking the third 6-3 and now leading two sets to one.

Suarez Navarro has an early advantage in the deciding set against Cibulkova, with a break to go 2-0 up.

The defending champion is not being given an easy ride by Mladenovic, who pushes her to deuce again before Williams holds to go 3-2 up.

Mladenovic holds serve to go 2-2 with Williams.

Mladenovic makes a decent fight of the third game, taking it to deuce but Williams holds to go 2-1 up.

Cibulkova takes the second set 6-3 to force a decider against Suarez Navarro.

And welcome Kristina ...

Welcome Serena ...

Williams takes the first game to love but Mladenovic, who has never got past the third round at Roland Garros, holds serve to level the scores.

Doubtless the crowd will be behind France’s Kristina Mladenovic, who is seeded 26th, but she will have her work cut out against defending champion and three-times winner Serena Williams. Play is about to start with the players warming up now.

Cibulkova has come back against Suarez Navarro, having lost the third set she leads 4-1 in the second.

Yulia Putintseva’s win over Karin Knapp, sees her into the last 16 of a grand slam for the first time.

Ivanovic goes out to Svitolina - match point.

Thiem responds well to losing the first set, moving swiftly and far more consistently to take the second over Zverev 6-3.

Next on Philippe-Chatrier: Serena Williams v Kristina Mladenovic.

Timea Bacsinszky beats Pauline Parmentier 6-4 6-2.

Next up on court 1: 11th seed David Ferrer v 21st seed Feliciano Lopez.

Elina Svitolina beats Ana Ivanovic 6-4 6-4

The 2008 French Open champion goes out in the third round to 18th seed Svitolina in straight sets.

France’s Pauline Parmentier is struggling against Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky, the eighth seed, who has the first set and leads 5-2 in the second.

Yulia Putintseva has beaten Karin Knapp 6-1, 6-1. Next up on court six is Croatia’s Borna Coric against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, who is seeded 14th.

Zverev responds well to Thiem and breaks straight back to make it 2-1 in the second, neither has yet to stamp their authority on the match.

12th seed Carla Suarez Navarro has taken the first set against 22nd seed Dominika Cibulkova 6-4.

Thiem comes back strongly with an early break against Zverev to lead 2-0 in the second set.

Some action from Ivanovic v Svitolina.

Ana Ivanovic, the fourteenth seed who won here in 2008, is in trouble against Elina Svitolina, having lost the first set she is now a break down at 4-3 in the second.

Austria’s Dominic Thiem, the thirteenth seed who has never got past the third round at Roland Garros, has dropped the first set in a tie-break (7-4) to Germany’s Alexander Zverev.

Good morning. Play is already under way in the third-round matches at Roland Garros. There aren’t any ‘big guns’ in action just yet but there are a few intriguing matches. On Court 1 the women’s 14th seed and 2008 French Open champion, Ana Ivanovic, has lost the first set 6-4 to the 18th seed Elina Svitolina. While on Suzanne-Lenglen Court, Dominic Thiem, the Austrian men’s 13th seed is level at 5-5 in a very tight first set with Alexander Zverev, the world No41.

Later on Novak Djokovic will face Britain’s Aljaz Bedene. Here’s what Andy Murray had to say about his compatriot’s chances:

Aljaz obviously did well to get through because Carreno is very good on the clay. I think I read that’s the first time he’s made the third round of a slam. That’s good progress for him and a positive step. Now obviously it’s a huge challenge against Novak. But he can go out there and have a clear game plan and go for it, not hold back at all. It’s not so much pressure on him there, which can help. Obviously Novak goes in as a big favourite, but why not? Just go out there and give it your best shot. I know how matches can get. It can get tough here. Hopefully he gets off to a good start and he can do well.”

Order of play (10am BST start)

Philippe-Chatrier

Pauline Parmentier (FRA) v Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) [8]

Serena Williams (USA) [1] v Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) [26]

Ernests Gulbis (LAT) v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [6]

Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] v Aljaz Bedene (GBR)

Suzanne-Lenglen

Alexander Zverev (GER) v Dominic Thiem (AUT) [13]

Venus Williams (USA) [9] v Alize Cornet (FRA)

David Goffin (BEL) [12] v Nicolas Almagro (ESP)

Monica Puig (PUR) v Madison Keys (USA) [15]

Court 1

Elina Svitolina (UKR) [18] v Ana Ivanovic (SRB) [14]

David Ferrer (ESP) [11] v Feliciano Lopez (ESP) [21]

Pablo Cuevas (URU) [25] v Tomas Berdych (CZE) [7]

Kiki Bertens (NED) v Daria Kasatkina (RUS) [29]

Court 2

Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) [12] v Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) [22]

Court 6

Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) v Karin Knapp (ITA)

Borna Coric (CRO) v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)[14]

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