That’s it from me for today. Many thanks for reading/emailing/tweeting etc, Simon Burnton will be guiding you through the action tomorrow. Bye!
So that’s today’s play wrapped up, here’s how the top half of the men’s and women’s draws are looking for the third round:
Men
Nadal v Gasquet
Marterer v Zopp
Schwartzman v Coric
M Zverev v Anderson
Cilic v Johnson
Fognini v Edmund
Isner v Herbert
Ramos-Vinolas v Del Potro
Women
Halep v Petkovic
Gavrilova v Mertens
Kerber v Bertens
Begu v Garcia
Muguruza v Stosur
Rybarikova v Tsurenko
Goerges v Williams
Sharapova v Karolina Pliskova
A lack of match practice looked like it would be Williams’s kryptonite in her self-described superhero outfit, but her recovery in the second and third sets was superb. Next up will be the 11th seed, Julia Goerges, who’s just completed a 7-5, 7-6 (5) win over Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck. Beyond that? Possibly Maria Sharapova in the fourth round, followed by Garbine Muguruza in the quarters. She’ll have to do it the hard way but the big matches could suit her – she’ll be desperate to bring her A-game.
Updated
Serena speaks:
Merci beaucoup. Ooh la la. Je suis très content. Merci beaucoup, merci. I lost the first set and I thought: “I’ve got to try harder.” And Serena came out. Every day is a great day for me and I’m excited to play singles and doubles, I’m going to be here fighting my heart out. It’s such a great feeling. Merci, I love you guys.
Serena Williams wins. 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 vs. Ash Barty.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) May 31, 2018
Heck of a performance given where she is in her comeback. Ferociously intense.
Goerges or Van Uytvanck next.
Can beat anyone if she plays well, even now. #RolandGarros
Watch out. #RG18
— Courtney Nguyen (@FortyDeuceTwits) May 31, 2018
Updated
Williams wins 3-6, 6-3, 6-4!
If Williams can play like this so early into her comeback, what level could she reach at Wimbledon and beyond? And credit to Barty for her part in this encounter. Williams moves to 30-0, before bringing up three match points with a forehand winner that batters the baseline. A backhand winner for symmetry’s sake and there’s the win! Williams’s comeback gathers pace with a hugely impressive victory, in arguably the match of the women’s tournament so far. Williams looks pretty happy with that, as well she might. Serena Williams is back.
Updated
Williams looks in the mood to get this finished on Barty’s serve. A rocket of a forehand, possibly Williams’s fastest of the match, flies past the Australian. 0-15. A superb return and it’s 15-30. A netted Barty forehand and it’s 30-40, match point. Williams hits out on the forehand but it’s long. Deuce. Advantage Barty. After one hour and 42 minutes of enthralling tennis, Williams is going to have to serve this out at 3-6, 6-3, 5-4.
Barty is doing her utmost to stay in touch, and that’s a secure service hold from the Australian. As the clock strikes 9pm in Paris, there’s a Mexican wave going round Chatrier, which delays the start of Williams’s service game. Williams is not distracted though, advancing to 40-15. A netted forehand from Williams makes it 40-30, before Barty slices long on the return. Williams is possibly a game away from victory, leading 3-6, 6-3, 5-3.
Updated
Freezing my 🎾🎾 off! pic.twitter.com/xy8L37rQfe
— Kyle Edmund (@kyle8edmund) May 31, 2018
Barty is still playing her part, holding serve, before Williams moves 30-15 ahead on her own. She’s missed only two first serves in this set. And when Williams’s serve is swinging, she rarely loses. But then she double faults! Call it the commentator’s curse. 30-all. 40-30, as Williams smacks away the smash. Deuce. A real chance for Barty, she goes down the line, but her effort lands long. That was so close to being a break point but instead it’s Williams’s advantage, and with a nerveless overhead, she holds for 3-6, 6-3, 4-2.
Williams consolidates the break, holding to 15 for 3-6, 6-3, 3-1. Should we be talking about Williams as a possible French Open champion this year? Probably not, given her lack of match practice. But then this is Serena Williams. I’m not sure I’d ever write her off. And there is precedent. Kim Clijsters won the 2009 US Open in her first grand slam since becoming a mother, although unlike Williams here, she did play some warm-up tournaments.
It’s hard to doubt Williams’s ability to progress now she’s found something close to her best. And does Barty have the belief to better Williams from here on in? I doubt she does. Meanwhile some match reports for your perusal:
What Barty gives away in height – she’s only 5 foot 5 – she more than makes up for in craft and variety. Some wonderful hitting from both players and it’s deuce on Barty’s serve. A brilliantly disguised forehand leaves Williams’s feet stuck to the clay and it’s Barty’s advantage. Deuce. Advantage Williams, after a Barty double fault. Game Williams, as Barty biffs into the net. Williams leads for the first time in this match, at 3-6, 6-3, 2-1.
The narrative of this match is understandably about Williams, but it’s unfair on Barty, who’s equipped herself well and holds impressively at the start of the third. Williams seals her service game with her fifth ace of the day and it’s 3-6, 6-3, 1-1 to the American.
Serena Williams reminding everyone what a player, athlete and competitor she is. Well short of her best and yet levels at a set all.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) May 31, 2018
Job far from done, but if she maintains this intensity, she’ll take some stopping.
Classic Serena fightback: willed herself back into the match, finishes off the 2d set 6-3 with an ace. Going 3 toward the gloaming
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) May 31, 2018
I just saw THE LOOK...#Serena
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) May 31, 2018
Williams wins the second set against Barty 6-3 to level at one set all
Williams wallops a breathtaking forehand, which Barty can’t get back into play. 30-0, which is soon 40-0. Three set points. The luck is with Barty on the first, as her return just drops over the net. Williams is scrambling forward but can’t get to the ball in time. Barty immediately turns round, failing to offer up an apology, before changing her mind and raising her hand to Williams. 40-15, before Williams misses by a fraction, 40-30. But Williams settles matters with arguably her biggest weapon of the lot, her serve. An ace down the T and this match is going to a decider.
Updated
“Hello Katy,” emails Simon McMahon. “I sincerely hope you are well. I also sincerely hope that someone can give Nadal a proper examination in Paris. Maybe even Gasquet, taking inspiration from Vitas Gerulaitis who, having lost 16 times in a row to Jimmy Connors, finally got the better of him and declared “nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row”. It’s hard to imagine Gasquet saying something similar after round three, but hey, dreams are free aren’t they?”
They sure are. Meanwhile Williams is proving something of a nightmare right now for Barty, who is forced to hit shot after shot to get to game point at 40-30. Barty, sucking for air, squeezes though but Williams will serve for the second set at 5-3.
Barty tries to staunch her wounds, holding for 4-2, but Williams cuts the Australian open with a hold to 15. It’s 3-6, 5-2 Williams, who’s potentially a game away from levelling this absorbing second-round encounter.
Updated
Williams is in a little hole at 0-30, but no problem. She recovers to 30-all, knifing away a perfect backhand volley. Her team nod approvingly. And from there she holds for 3-6, 4-1. There aren’t many better sights in tennis than Serena Williams when she’s being Serena Williams.
Updated
Really interesting to watch Serena Williams at this stage of her comeback. Rusty but will power and competitive spirit as strong as ever. Beginning to play well now
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) May 31, 2018
Williams is in the zone, sensing blood at 15-30 on the Barty serve. She prevails in a gruelling rally, the longest of the match at 18 shots. Having sprayed her groundstrokes around in the first set, she’s found her range. 15-40, two break points, and Williams takes her third game on the spin to lead 3-1 in the second set.
Updated
Williams is so angry with herself. She lets rip with a clean winner and lets out a roar. That may get her going. Beware a wounded Williams. It’s 15-all on the Barty serve, make that 30-all. And she’s screaming and fist-pumping after putting away the forehand volley for break point at 30-40. Barty for all the world looks like she’s won the point but Williams’s sheer willpower gets her through. That was the Williams of old. They’re back on serve at 1-1 ... before Williams holds for 2-1.
Interested to see if Barty can deal with the personality of a fired-up Williams here.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) May 31, 2018
Barty not an extrovert. Will take some doing to put the blinkers on sufficiently to come through, even with Serena short of full fitness and form.
Barty 6-3, 1-1
Updated
The crowd attempt to lift Williams as she comes out to serve at the beginning of the second set. A fully-firing Williams would blow Barty off court but understandably she is nowhere near her top level in only her second match on clay in two years, and her first grand slam since last year’s Australian Open. Williams is wobbling at 0-40, and Barty breaks to love. Williams’s tactics aren’t wrong here; she just can’t quite execute. Sixteen unforced errors and only three winners sums up the match for Williams. Barty leads 6-3, 1-0.
Updated
Barty wins the first set against Williams 6-3
The mood on Philippe Chatrier is subdued as Barty moves to within two points of the set at 30-0. The Australian, moving well and dipping into her tennis toolbox with her mix of her spin and slice, has been so steady so far; Williams is going for broke and hasn’t found her range. 40-0, three set points. And Barty takes it on the second, winning her first ever set against the former champion.
Updated
Williams, serving with the new balls, is attempting to stay in the set after 25 minutes. She gets off to the right start, moving to 30-0, and she lets out a “COME ON” when Barty slices into the net for 40-15. Jeu Williams. Barty will serve for the set at 5-3.
Williams is under early pressure on her serve once more, 0-30 down. And here’s three break points – the first of the match – at 0-40. Williams sends a wild and wayward forehand well long and the 36-year-old is broken with the minimum of resistance. It’s 4-2 Barty, who rattles through another service game of her own for 5-2. Williams would have been well aware beforehand Barty would be a tough opponent; she now knows exactly how tough.
Updated
Both women on Chatrier now won tennis titles while wearing black dresses in 2002.
— History of Tennis (@HistoryOfTennis) May 31, 2018
We see no difference. #rg18 pic.twitter.com/WE3hN9CnSg
Updated
Barty looks on course for another love hold before Williams hits to one corner and then t’other for the winner. 40-15. Barty tamely plants her backhand into the net. 40-30. The pair fight it out from the baseline and Williams blinks first. Game Barty, who leads 3-2 on serve.
Williams said she felt like a superhero in her catsuit in the opening round, but it’s Barty who’s flying right now, holding to love before moving 15-30 up on Williams’s serve. Williams then has to walk through walls with some determined defence for 30-all. And her serve grazes the line for an ace. 40-30. Deuce. Advantage Williams. Game Williams. Barty will be upset she couldn’t capitalise there; Williams is clearly still finding her rhythm. It’s 2-2.
Horacio Zeballos hit an incredible 42 winners and only 16 unforced errors...
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 31, 2018
...but it was not enough to earn even a single break point against #9 John Isner, who won 89% of first serve points and 73% on second serve.
Isner wins 6-7(8), 7-6(4), 7-6(2), 6-2. pic.twitter.com/pL3k0EVzGT
Who says American men can't win at Roland Garros?
— SI Tennis (@SI_Tennis) May 31, 2018
No. 9 John Isner gets past Horacio Zeballos 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2 to get to the third round.
Earlier in the day, Steve Johnson beat Jan-Lennard Struff in four sets.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/r1gvTp4G34
Barty begins with a hold. Williams replies by charging to 40-0 on her serve, before some smart play from Barty draws the error from Williams. 40-15, which turns into 40-30. Will Williams be under some early pressure? No, because Barty nets her return and that’s the game. It’s 1-1.
Updated
These two have played each other only once before, Williams winning in two clinical sets at the 2014 Australian Open. Barty was asked before this match what she thought about playing Williams four years after that defeat. “I’m in a very different place,” the Australian said. “I think Serena is also in a very different place. But what an opportunity. She’s a genuine champion. What she’s done to be able to get back – along with Vika [Azarenka] and a lot of the other girls who are coming back after pregnancy – is a pretty amazing thing.”
There’s only so much time for sentimentality, though, because here comes Serena Williams. Clad once again in her all-black catsuit, which she says makes her feel like a “warrior princess”, the 23-times grand slam champion takes to the court for only her second grand slam match since giving birth last September. She’s up against the 22-year-old Australian Ashleigh Barty, a one-time prodigy who left the tour at 18 after suffering burnout and tried her hand at professional cricket before returning to tennis in 2016. Barty, with her mix of spins and drop shots, could cause Williams some real problems here and is actually the favourite for the match.
Updated
Del Potro speaks:
It wasn’t easy for me to play a guy like Julien in Paris. I’m so proud of him, he made a fantastic career. I should stop speaking, it’s Julien’s time.
Benneteau then takes the microphone, thanking his team. He says he’s looking forward to spending more time with his wife and family, adding he sat in the stadium as a 10-year-old and had a dream to play here, and he fulfilled his dream. Lovely scenes on Chatrier.
Updated
Del Potro defeats Benneteau 6-4, 6-3, 6-2
There’s a lot of support for Del Potro from the stands, surprising given he’s about to end the hopes of the 36-year-old Benneteau, who is making his final appearance at his home slam. Del Potro glides to 40-15, two match points. Benneteau gobbles up the short ball and it’s 40-30. The Frenchman smiles, keen to make the most of his final moments on Chatrier. But the sun soon sets on Benneteau’s singles career at Roland Garros. Del Potro gestures towards Benneteau, as if to say the loser rather than the victor should be getting the applause today.
A chance for Del Potro to all but settle the match at break point on Benneteau’s serve. He takes it and the 2009 US Open champion will serve for the match, leading 6-4, 6-3, 5-2.
If you’re just joining us here’s a roundup of what’s happened today:
- Kyle Edmund is through to the third round. He’s the only Brit left in the singles after defeats for Heather Watson and Cameron Norrie.
- Rafael Nadal looked in ominous form during his straight-sets victory over Argentina’s Guido Pella.
- The women’s world No 1, Simona Halep, won easily too, against the American Taylor Townsend.
- Maria Sharapova got past Croatia’s Donna Vekic in two tight sets but out went the talented young Canadian, Denis Shapovalov.
- And all of this with Serena Williams still to come, after the conclusion of Juan Martin del Potro’s match with Julien Benneteau. Del Potro now leads 6-4, 6-3, 3-2 with the break.
Updated
Updated
Through has gone one young talent, Croatia’s Borna Coric, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 against Italy’s Thomas Fabbiano – but out has gone another, Norway’s Casper Ruud, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to the Spanish 31st seed, Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Updated
Benneteau holds, leaving Del Potro to serve out for a two sets to love lead. Benneteau produces a fist-pump inducing backhand winner, but then undoes his good work with an unforced error. 40-30, set point Del Potro. Game and set Del Potro. It’s 6-4, 6-3.
The making of TV magic with Yorkshiremen @tweetsbyjp & @kyle8edmund. Coming soon to @Eurosport_UK. pic.twitter.com/D2J1PuTz3d
— Catherine Whitaker (@CWhitakerSport) May 31, 2018
Is Del Potro’s backhand enough of a weapon against Nadal on clay though? The multiple wrist surgeries mean he slices so many of his backhands. On the grass and hard courts it stays lower, but on clay it sits up more for his opponents to take aim. There again, clay does give him more time to run around his backhand and let rip with that brutal forehand. And it has to be said Del Potro is looking very good today.
Updated
@KatyMurrells I believe Del Potro can, if he reaches the SF. He has the sort of power game that Soderling had and on his day, he probably can blow Nadal off court.
— Siddhant Guru (@Siddhantguru) May 31, 2018
Juan Martin del Potro is carrying a thigh injury at Roland Garros but the popular, powerful fifth seed doesn’t look too inconvenienced on Philippe Chatrier. He’s 6-4, 5-2 ahead against France’s Julien Benneateau, who is about to serve to stay in the second set.
Topics that arise in an Andrea Petkovic press conference: Barack Obama, David Foster Wallace, and the etymology of ‘double-edged sword’.
— Courtney Nguyen (@FortyDeuceTwits) May 31, 2018
As you do. #RG18
Maria Sharapova was not about to be considered a supporting act here. #RG18 pic.twitter.com/DpuuIMxPrB
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 31, 2018
Angelique Kerber, who is trying to forget her dismal 2017, has secured a straightforward, straight-sets win, 6-2, 6-3 over the Romanian Ana Bogdan.
Updated
Who can beat Nadal here? Novak Djokovic has once in the past, but he is no longer the Novak Djokovic who had that fanatic will to win and possessed the physical and mental strength to keep on playing forever. Dominic Thiem defeated Nadal in the Madrid quarter-finals recently and Alex Zverev pushed him close in the Rome final. But those matches were best of three. Do Thiem or Zverev yet have the wherewithal to get the better of him over five? Djokovic, Thiem and Zverev are all in the other half of the draw so could only meet Nadal in the final.
Updated
Nadal probably won’t be losing too much sleep before that match on Saturday. He leads the head-to-head against Gasquet 15-0.
Nadal and Gasquet long ago pic.twitter.com/5wqWeFHIIE
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) May 31, 2018
Updated
Nadal, ever the gentlemen, applauds his beaten opponent off court. Nadal, ever the perfectionist, then meticulously ties up his shoelaces for the on-court interview. You never know when you’re going to get tripped up by the media.
I played such a good match today, I’m very happy with the way I played. Richard [Gasquet, his third-round opponent] is a good friend, I’ve known him since we were 11, 12 years old. It’s the most important court [Philippe Chatrier] of my career without a doubt, and for him a special place too.
Updated
Nadal powers past Pella 6-2, 6-1, 6-1
At 15-all on Pella’s serve, Nadal winds up on the forehand side – and misses! A rare error. Keen to make amends he pounds a forehand down the line, and Pella prods into the net. 30-all. Nadal is possibly two points from victory, make that one, as Pella nets again. 30-40. Deuce. Advantage Nadal, a second match point, and a disappointing finish at Pella double faults. That was two hours and three minutes of superb clay-court tennis by Nadal.
Updated
This is turning into an exhibition for the Spaniard. It’s “Jeu Nadal” once more, and Pella must hold serve to stay in this contest. Even if he did, it would surely be only the briefest of reprieves for the Argentinian.
A few drops of rain but they’re carrying on. Nadal will be keen to get this finished. Pella gives Nadal a helping hand with two double faults, and Nadal has the chance to break at 30-40 and again at his advantage. Pella pulls it back to deuce, before Nadal has advantage once more. Nadal chops a backhand out. Deuce, then a fourth break point. Nadal tugs at his shorts, shirt and sweat band for good measure, but it doesn’t help. Deuce. Advantage Nadal, as he threads a forehand down the line. And he repeats the trick for the game. It’s 6-2, 6-1, 4-1.
Nadal breaks and then spins Pella into submission with his vicious forehand for 6-2, 6-1, 3-1.
A collective groan as Pella can’t capitalise on a chance at 30-all on Nadal’s serve. The Spanish bull charges through the game from there. His biggest concern at the moment seems to be the weather, there have been a few anxious glances up to the grey skies. The Spaniard needed two days to get the job done against Simone Bolelli in the first round; he won’t want to be delayed here. Nadal leads 6-2, 6-1, 1-1.
Updated
Juan Martin del Potro has started on Philippe Chatrier against France’s Julien Benneteau. And there are two Frenchmen duking it out on Court 1, where Jeremy Chardy leads Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-2. John Isner, the Big Friendly Giant, has lost out in a first-set tie-break to Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos, while Angelique Kerber, the former world No 1, Australian and US Open champion, is 5-2 up on Romania’s Ana Bogdan in the opening set.
One result I failed to mention earlier was Bethanie Mattek-Sands’ 6-0, 7-6 (5) defeat by Germany’s Andrea Petkovic. Which to Mattek-Sands probably didn’t seem like much of a defeat at all, given this is her first grand slam back after her horror injury at Wimbledon last year, when she dislocated her kneecap. At the moment just being on court feels like a win to the American.
Nadal shows he’s human as Pella wins a game, but the world No 1 is serving for a two sets to love lead at 5-1. He tugs, tugs, tugs at his shorts before conjuring up a magical backhand winner from a quite ridiculous angle. 15-0. An ace for 30-0. Pella’s unforced error makes it 40-0, three set points. Pella can only hoik his return into the tramlines and it’s 6-2, 6-1. Nadal rarely shows his pleasure on court, but he should allow himself a little smile after that set.
Updated
Nadal has his game face on and is pounding away from the back of the court, puncturing Pella. The ten-times champion leads 6-2, 5-0. Is beating Nadal at Roland Garros the toughest task in sport right now? What else comes close? Denying Real Madrid in the Champions League or Bayern in the Bundesliga? But in my humble one defeating Nadal tops them all.
Updated
The results are coming in thick and fast. Mischa Zverev, the older but less heralded of the Zverev brothers, is through, 6-3, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-1 against Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky. Last year’s US Open finalist Kevin Anderson has also advanced but the big-hitting, big-named Coco Vandeweghe is out.
The top seeds on the men's side are taking care of business.
— SI Tennis (@SI_Tennis) May 31, 2018
With No. 6 Kevin Anderson's 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 win over Pablo Cuevas, all of the top 10 seeds are still alive.
The highest seeds already out are both Americans: No. 12 Sam Querrey and No. 14 Jack Sock.
🇺🇸🙁 pic.twitter.com/GseDVpAOCP
Great racket smash by CoCo to end the second set, but didn’t help her much in the third.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 31, 2018
Tsurenko d. Vandeweghe 3-6, 6-4, 6-0. #RG18 https://t.co/do0LYS35gL
Halep has lost in six finals over the last year. She’s been a grand slam runner-up on three occasions in her career. Could this finally be her time, at her favourite tournament? She’d certainly be a popular winner given her past pain.
Halep races past Townsend 6-3, 6-1
It took four days for Simona Halep to reach the second round because of delays. But she’s through to round three in 68 minutes, the two-times runner-up defeating the American wildcard Taylor Townsend.
Updated
Maria Sharapova takes down Donna Vekic 75 64 -- terrific match -- and has to face Karolina Pliskova, who d Lucie Safarova. Sharapova vs Pliskova should be a classic. Amazingly, they have only played once at the 2015 Fed Cup Final in Prague. MS beat KP. Again? pic.twitter.com/R47XV6WQJN
— Matt Cronin (@TennisReporters) May 31, 2018
Meanwhile Sharapova prevails in the battle of the big hitters, and she’ll be happy to get that one over in straight sets. Next up for the 2012 and 2014 champion, who is playing her first French Open in three years following her drug ban, is Karolina Pliskova. Sharapova is not certain to advance against the former world No 1 – but that won’t stop talk about a possible fourth-round meeting between Sharapova and Serena Williams in the fourth round.
Thanks John. So since I’ve been gone, Nadal has only managed to get through the first set against Pella. Given Nadal’s superpowers on clay, I thought he could win a best-of-five match quicker than I could eat a sandwich. Poor effort Rafa.
Nadal takes the first set 6-2. Yet again, it was a close game, with deuce after deuce. Pella sticks manfully to his task but cannot stop his serve being broken. Katy is back ...
Updated
Sharapova beats Vekic 7-5, 6-4 to advance
Another match point for Sharapova is thwarted by a pulverising backhand from Vekic, who is fighting on, but now struggling to get her first serves over the net. Then Sharapova’s breathtaking power sets up another match point. She follows that with a piledriver down the line to win on her fifth match point of that game.
Updated
Sharapova has two match points on Vekic’s serve, but can’t convert them. Then, a disputed line call sees the umpire having to descend her chair, and there Sharapova is not happy with the decision.
Nadal ramps it right up and goes 5-2 ahead. Pella’s early excellence is fading. He was playing beautifully for that first half hour but couldn’t sustain it. Few can, and definitely not on clay.
And now Vekic breaks Sharapova back, meaning it’s now 5-4 to the Russian and the Croat is serving to level the scores in the second set.
Updated
A breakthrough from Nadal - it’s 4-2. He quickly gets two break points on Pella, but then his opponent admirably keeps his cool in forcing two errors. A set of deuces follow, before Pella goes too long from the baseline and then hits the net cord. Pella got ground down, and those first six games have taken 35 minutes to complete.
Sharapova is serving out her match now at 5-2 up in the second set.
Still going with serve between Nadal and Pella with Nadal 3-2 up, while Sharapova is serving at 4-2 up.
Here’s Kevin Mitchell’s report on Kyle Edmund’s triumph and the exit of Cameron Norrie.
Nadal and Pella are locked at 2-2. Another slow start from the Decima king, but his game is all about attrition and outlasting the opponent.
Updated
Should she win this as expected, Sharapova will play Karolina Pliskova, who just this minute ago beat Lucie Safarova 3-6 6-4 6-1.
Sharapova, swiftly in turn, breaks back against Vekic and goes 3-1 up. Some fearsome serving and caterwauling follow as she makes it 4-1 and looks headed for the next round.
Updated
Pella has rather more comfort in his service game and even has the master scrabbling with some drop shots. The scores are quickly levelled at 1-1 with Nadal.
Updated
Sharapova went 2-0 up in the second set, but was immediately broken back by Vekic. It’s 2-1 still.
Updated
That took rather longer than expected. Nadal has to save four break points. Pella wins the first point, and then motors to three breaks points. Like on Monday, Nadal has problems getting the serve under way but battles back to deuce. Nadal even attempts some serve-volley but blasts into the net before, eventually, his power prevails. Pella had a golden chance and blew it. Or at least, wasn’t able to hold on to it.
Pella and Nadal knock up in amicable enough style. Guido Pella, the Argentinian, has gone for the backwards-cap dude look. This will be their second meeting, and to nobody’s surprise, Nadal won 6-3 6-2 at Indian Wells last year.
Updated
Meanwhile, Sharapova has just won the first set 7-5 against Vekic. She got a little lucky with set point, when her opponent drilled into the net after a loose shot from the Russian.
Updated
Good afternoon, everyone. Nadal takes to the court with one hell of a build-up from the master of ceremonies, though with something of a shy smile. Last time out, in his rain-affected match with Simone Bolelli, the Spanish bull was not quite at his best.
Right after all of that excitement, it’s time for me to grab a late lunch. John Brewin’s here to take you through the early stages of Rafael Nadal v Guido Pella – the King of Clay is about to hold court on Suzanne Lenglen following Richard Gasquet’s four-set win over Malek Jaziri. Also getting under way – Simona Halep against Taylor Townsend – while Maria Sharapova is serving for the first set at 5-3 against Croatia’s Donna Vekic. Over to you John ...
Here’s Kevin Mitchell’s report on Heather Watson’s defeat earlier:
As Edmund said, he wasn’t at his best for much of the match. But a win’s a win. He’ll take it. And Edmund v Fognini could be a belter. Once again at a slam, he’s the last Brit standing in the singles.
Edmund speaks:
[The second set] is something to learn from but I’m happy to come through. When I’m playing at my best it’s very good but I can’t play like that the whole time. When I’m not playing my best, I have to find a way to win. This year I’ve done that a lot better. My finger – I had a paper cut in it that was slightly splitting, but it’s OK.
Edmund advances 6-0, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3!
But here’s some good news to cancel out the bad news. I’m nice like that. Edmund breaks Fucsovics at the business end of a closely-fought fourth set for 5-3, and then brings up two match points on his own serve. Fucsovics goes long! Edmund is into the third round after a curious, curious match, and he’ll next play Italy’s Fabio Fognini.
Updated
Norrie defeated by Pouille 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (3)
... and Pouille takes it on the first. It’s been some few days for Norrie in his first French Open – he wasn’t even a professional this time last year – but his adventure has come to an end against the 16th seed.
Pouille gets the mini-break on the opening point – and then scoops a backhand pass beyond Norrie. 2-0 Pouille. Norrie gets it back to 2-2 and then 3-3, he’s loving this scrap on the red dirt. His style is similar to Andy Murray’s; he isn’t going to blow his opponent off court, preferring a game of cat and mouse. An ugly error from Norrie makes it 5-3 to Pouille – and then Norrie slides into the net to concede the next point! Big call there from the umpire. Pouille has three match points at 6-3 ...
Updated
So Pouille is serving for a place in the third round at Norrie’s expense. Norrie gives the French No 1 something to think about by taking the first point, make that the first two. 0-30. The umpire is out of his chair and checking a call on the third. It’s 15-30. 15-40, when Norrie finds the line after Pouille gets his drop-shot all wrong. Two break-back points. Norrie has the chance to put away the winner from almost exactly the same spot as on the previous point – but he misfires! 30-40. And Pouille comes up with a fine serve. Deuce. A third break point at Norrie’s advantage ... and Pouille drives into the net! This set will be settled by a tie-break.
It’s been a tense fourth set on Philippe Chatrier but Pouille is swinging freely at 0-30 on the Norrie serve, and then 15-40. Two break points – and if Pouille takes one of them he’ll be serving for the match. Pouille leaves the court shaking with a thunderbolt of a forehand and the Frenchman leads 6-5. He’s got the trainer on at the changeover, taping up a finger. Interesting timing - you’d think he’d rather just focus on getting the job done.
A set point for Britain’s Cameron Norrie to take his match against Lucas Pouille into a decider! But the Frenchman whistles an ace out wide. Deuce. Advantage Pouille. Game Pouille, as the 15th seed goes back behind a wrong-footed Norrie. It’s 5-5 in the fourth set.
Estonia’s Jurgen Zopp v Belgium’s Ruben Bemelmans wasn’t a match that immediately stood out on paper, but it was notable for being between two lucky losers, unusual in the second round of a slam. Zopp, ranked No 136 in the world, dug himself out of a hole from two sets down to defeat the No 110 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. He’ll face Denis Shapovalov’s conqueror Maximilian Marterer next. The prize for the winner? A likely fourth-round match with a certain Rafael Nadal.
Both Edmund and Fucsovics have held at the start of the fourth set, a first for the match. It’s 6-0, 1-6, 6-2, 1-1 Edmund.
A couple more results: Steve Johnson has done his stuff against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, coming from a set down to advance 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 6-2. So one American is through but another is out, Bernarda Pera losing 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 to the Australian Daria Gavrilova.
With #24 Shapovalov out, the lone seed that #1 Nadal could face before the quarterfinals is #27 Gasquet, which would be in the third round. #RG18
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 31, 2018
Edmund wins the third set to lead 6-0, 1-6, 6-2
Fucsovics is serving to stay in the third set. Set point Edmund ... the Hungarian finds Edmund’s return too hot to handle and the Brit is ahead once more. Perhaps we should excuse the second-set shutdown. Edmund, after all, still has much to learn in grand slams. He deals well with the pressure, but he still must be aware of the weight on his broad shoulders. Another player having to cope with real expectation is the 19-year-old Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who’s gone out 5-7, 7-6 (4), 7-5, 6-4 to Germany’s Maximilian Marterer.
Updated
Cameron Norrie has started where he left off last night, holding serve before forging his way to 15-30 on Pouille’s serve. But he biffs a backhand beyond the baseline and it’s 30-all. Which becomes 40-30, followed by deuce, Pouille’s advantage and then game. It’s 1-1 in the fourth. Despite Pouille being the highest-ranked home player on the men’s side, Philippe Chatrier is nowhere near full, as the Parisian patrons enjoy a leisurely lunch.
Edmund is back in the groove on Court 3. The British No 1 has the break and leads 4-1. Which makes what happened in the second set even more of a mystery.
After pulling out of the French Open, Nick Kyrgios has been given a wild card for the Challenger on grass in Surbiton next week. Nice coup for them
— Eleanor Crooks (@EleanorcrooksPA) May 31, 2018
Is it Thiem’s time this year? The 24-year-old Austrian has the pedigree on clay, having beaten Rafael Nadal in the Madrid quarter-finals, and he was a semi-finalist at Roland Garros in 2016 and 2017. He’s certainly in the chasing pack behind the ten-times winner.
And speaking of two-part matches, Dominic Thiem has won the battle of the one-handed backhands against Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Updated
Hands are being shaken on Philippe Chatrier, where the No 3 seed, Marin Cilic, has recovered from losing that tie-break to see off the Polish qualifier Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-2, 6-7 (3), 7-5. And that paves the way for the return of Cameron Norrie. The British No 3 had snatched the third set against the French 15th seed, Lucas Pouille, when the players were forced off court in the fading light at 9.52pm yesterday, four minutes short of the tournament late-finish record. They resume this afternoon with Pouille leading 6-2, 6-4, 5-7.
Updated
Fucsovics wins the second set 6-1 against Edmund
Edmund looks perplexed. It’s hard to tell how much of the problem is physical. Fucsovics gets to 40-15, two set points. Edmund swats away the first with a drive volley. On the second he goes down the line and Fucsovics nets. Deuce. Advantage Edmund. Deuce. Advantage Fucsovics. And it’s third time lucky for the Hungarian. It’s one set all, 6-0, 1-6, after only an hour of the most see-sawing tennis. It’s as though they’ve given each other a free set and are now playing a best-of-three encounter.
Updated
The British fans on Court 3 are most likely muttering an expletive similar to the first syllable of Fucsovics’s name when the Hungarian takes his eighth point on the spin and with it the game for 5-0. Edmund has the trainer on again at the changeover. And here is the Brit serving to prevent the bagel – having tucked into one of his own in the first set. Edmund holds for 5-1 but surely it won’t be long before Fucsovics levels this match at one set all.
Fucsovics runs round his backhand and wallops an inside-out forehand winner down the line. 30-all on Edmund’s serve, make that 30-40, break point, as Fucsovics fires down a smash. And Fucsovics has the double break! Edmund has won only six points in this second set, and it’s 6-0, 0-4. What is going on?
Erm, so this wasn’t in the script. Fucsovics wins his first game of the match at the seventh time of asking, and a let-down from Edmund on serve allows the Hungarian to break, which he then consolidates. After winning the first set 6-zip, he’s now 3-zip down in the second. Edmund’s level also dropped in the first round against Australia’s Alex de Minaur at the start of the second set, before he came through in straight sets. And the trainer is on for Edmund. It appears to be a problem with his finger. But the trainer is quickly off the court and Edmund is serving at 6-0, 0-3.
Denis Shapovalov’s second-round match could go on for longer than his opponent’s name. The talented teenager is locked at 7-5, 6-7, 5-5 against Germany’s Maximilian Marterer. Meanwhile Reeeeechard Gasquet, at his home slam, is 6-2 up on Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri, while Dominic Thiem, the only man to have beaten Rafael Nadal on clay in the last two years, has resumed at 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Edmund wins the first set against Fucsovics 6-0!
Edmund is in lockdown mode. He races to 5-0 after 23 minutes of play and completes the bagel after only 27 minutes. The perfect start.
Updated
Here’s a question. How likely is it that Andy Murray can wrest the British No 1 spot from Edmund when he returns to tour? Edmund, on current form, is on course for a place in the world’s top 10 – while there are no guarantees Murray will be able to return there. It’s still not clear whether the Scot will be able to make his comeback, as planned, during the grass-court season. The hip surgery he underwent in January has not worked as well as originally thought. But one thing is for sure; Murray is such a stubborn, determined character and he’ll do absolutely everything he can to return to the top.
Updated
Edmund earns a 4-0 lead, although he was briefly inconvenienced in his last service game, having to save a break point. Some huge hitting averts the danger.
Cameron Norrie is going to have to wait a little longer to get on Philippe Chatrier. Marin Cilic has blinked in a third-set tie-break against Hubert Hurkacz, losing it by seven points to three, and it’s 6-2, 6-2, 6-7. No such problems for the flamboyant Fabio Fognini, who conceded only seven games in a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 victory over the Swede Elias Ymer. Fognini awaits the winner of Edmund v Fucsovics.
Updated
A good start for Edmund has just got even better. Hitting deep and true, he draws the error from Fucsovics and there’s the double break. 3-0.
Tough fine at @rolandgarros for Peter #Gojowczyk (GER) after retiring in 1st round at 1-6 0-2 after 41 minutes ag Norrie (GBR) - 25000 Euro. should have left his spot to a lucky loser, according to ITF officials. Was runner up at Geneva Open last Saturday
— rene stauffer (@staffsky) May 30, 2018
Edmund starts as he means to go on, breaking Fucsovics before confidently holding to 15 for a 2-0 advantage. There’s so much to like about the 22-year-old these days. He’s so physically strong, and has made improvements to his backhand and serve to compliment his already huge forehand. He’s such a cool customer, rarely showing any frustration, and he doesn’t seem too bothered by the increased British expectation in Andy Murray’s absence. He could be a contender here, you know.
Updated
There could soon be a double dose of Brits, because Marin Cilic looks set to vacate Philippe Chatrier, allowing Cameron Norrie to resume his match against Lucas Pouille. Cilic leads Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-2, 6-5 on serve.
A couple of results on the women’s side: the 21-year-old Belinda Bencic, Switzerland’s biggest talent since Martina Hingis, won’t be making her French Open breakthrough this year; she’s lost 6-2, 6-4 to Slovakia’s 19th seed, Magdalena Rybarikova. And Sam Stosur has got the better of her doubles partner, beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 7-6 to book a third-round meeting with Muguruza.
Here comes Kyle. The British No 1 (it still seems strange to say that, a couple of months after he overtook Andy Murray in the rankings), is up against the Hungarian world No 45, Marton Fucsovics, who’s having a good run on clay and won the Geneva title last week. But Edmund – who’s had some decent results of his own on the red dirt of late, beating Novak Djokovic in Madrid and pushing Alex Zverev close in Rome – is the strong favourite.
“The French Open is ‘that’ tournament for me, it’s special,” says Muguruza. “I’m so motivated and I’m so happy.” Ominous that for her rivals. If the Spaniard is in the mood, she could go all the way.
Watson beaten 6-3, 6-4 by Mertens
After working so hard to get back on level terms against Mertens in the second set, the match seems to be slipping away from Watson. Mertens holds and Watson drops 15-30 down on her serve, make that 15-40, as Watson rams a forehand into the net. What an anti-climax. Mertens has two match points ... and Watson can only net again. That was a strange, nervy match. Not one for the tournament showreel. British interest in the women’s singles is over. But don’t despair! Kyle Edmund is up next.
Updated
The first player of the day to put a W by their name is Garbine Muguruza. The third seed, who’s perhaps the most impressive performer on the women’s side so far, has dispatched the French wildcard Fiona Ferro 6-4, 6-3. Muguruza will play either Sam Stosur or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova next, Stosur leads 6-2, 6-5 on serve.
The mental side of tennis, eh? Following error after error from Watson, it’s now winner after winner. The British No 2 sprints 30-0 ahead on her serve. Mertens drags herself to 30-all. A huge point this for Watson, will it be game point or break point, she can’t afford to go a break down at this stage. And Heather holds it together, playing a fine point, and it’s 40-30. She moves into the mid-court but indecision costs her as she chips well long. Deuce. Deep hitting from Watson, she sends a forehand to Mertens’ right wing before striking to the left, and it’s her advantage. But Watson double faults! Her first of the set. Egalité. Advantage Watson. Egalité, after the longest rally of the match. This is an absorbing game. Advantage Watson, and a second ace finally settles matters. Watson is level at 4-4 in the second set!
Watson has got the bit between her teeth. She charges to 0-30 on Mertens’ serve, Mertens decides to change her racket, but the Belgian needn’t have bothered. Watson’s forehand is in full flow and she breaks to love. It’s 6-3, 4-3.
Updated
Newsflash: after 70 minutes, Watson holds! She still has a mountain to climb though, trailing Mertens 6-3, 4-2.
Denis Shapovalov is playing to the max against Maximilian Marterer. The 19-year-old Canadian, who is seeded 24th here and made quite a name for himself at last year’s US Open, leads 7-5, 3-1.
The way the Watson v Mertens match has gone, a service hold feels like a service break. Watson sprays a backhand wide and Mertens holds for 6-3, 4-1.
The lanky and languid figure of Marin Cilic is in cruise control on Philippe Chatrier, leading 6-2, 6-2 against Hubert Hurkacz.
By now you know the story on Court 3. Watson is broken – Mertens is broken – Watson is broken. A horrible stat for the Brit: she hasn’t held serve once today. That’s seven successive breaks for Mertens, who is 6-3, 3-1 ahead.
Garbine Muguruza is maddeningly inconsistent. The Spaniard sometimes struggles to motivate herself for the smaller events but can rise to the occasion in slams, as shown by her 2016 French Open and 2017 Wimbledon wins. Perhaps she’s the female Stan Wawrinka. She’s currently a set to the good, 6-4, against the French world No 257, Fiona Ferro, who’s a tidy player on clay but surely doesn’t have the firepower to get past the world No 3.
Updated
Mon Dieu! Mertens holds for only the second time in his match. The Belgian leads Watson 6-3, 1-0.
Apart from when Mertens went 3-0 up in the first set, there’s been very little between them. They’re both suffering from a serious case of serving yips. Mertens is certainly beatable – but Watson must find some rhythm on serve.
Mertens wins the first set against Watson 6-3
Mertens is serving for the first set at 5-2. The 16th seed has by no means brought her best tennis to this second-round encounter, but Watson hasn’t been able to take advantage. Of course as soon as I type that Watson has two break points at 15-40. Mertens gifts Watson the break with an error. 5-3. The three games Watson has won have all been on Mertens’ serve – but Watson just can’t hold. She slides to 0-40 down, three set points to Mertens, and the Belgian needs only one.
Updated
Anything Stosur can do ... Marin Cilic has just taken the first set by the same score on Philippe Chatrier against Hubert Hurkacz.
The first set of the day is on the board and it’s gone to Sam Stosur against her French Open doubles partner, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-2. I doubt either are relishing playing each other, but Stosur, the 2010 finalist, may gain extra motivation from the knowledge she’ll drop out of the world’s top 100 if she loses today.
Mertens gets out of her minor funk to move 15-40 ahead on Watson’s serve. But the Belgian will be annoyed with the way she surrenders both break points. Watson must capitalise on her opponent’s erratic play – but that she can’t do. Here’s a third break point and Watson slams a backhand into the net. Mertens leads 4-1.
But look here, Watson, swinging a little freer, has a chance to grab one of the breaks back. She has advantage on Mertens’ serve ... and the Belgian doubles! Watson appears to be finding her feet – while Mertens seems to be complaining about hers. She’s unhappy with her shoes and the amount she’s slipping on the red dirt. Watson trails 3-1.
Updated
What’s happening elsewhere, you say? Ask and you shall receive. Marin Cilic is 2-2 opening set against Hubert Hurkacz, as is Garbine Muguruza against Fiona Ferro; Denis Shapovalov leads Maximilian Marterer 3-2 on serve, so does Sam Stosur against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova; Belinda Bencic is a break down, 2-1, to Magdalena Rybarikova; and the talented but temperamental Italian Fabio Fognini is 3-1 up on Elias Ymer.
Mertens consolidates the break to lead 2-0. This has been something of an annus horribilis for Watson, who suffered eight successive defeats before breaking the run in Nuremberg last week with one match victory. The early signs are it’ll be defeat No 9 of 2018 for the likeable world No 80 – Mertens breaks again and it’s 3-0.
Updated
Mesdames et messieurs, Mademoiselle Watson will serve first. Mertens fires a darting forehand down the line to take the game to deuce. And Watson throws in an early double fault to hand her opponent a break point. Mertens sends a beautiful backhand down the line for the return winner. And therein lies the problem for Watson today; Mertens is the more attacking player. Watson will need to land more first serves if she’s to have a chance of putting Mertens on the back foot.
Tik! Tok! Tikity! Tok! Watson and Mertens are warming up. I had assumed Court 3 would have been taken over by British fans, given that it’s a GB double header with Kyle Edmund coming up after Watson, but the Belgians are the rowdier at the moment. This has the feel of a Davis Cup match – and they’re still in the warm-up.
The players are appearing here, there and everywhere, and there’s even a smattering of sun. Marin Cilic, a runner-up in two of the last three grand slams, is on Philippe Chatrier against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz; Garbine Muguruza, the Wimbledon champion, takes on the French wildcard Fiona Ferro on Court Suzanne Lenglen; the big talents of Denis Shapovalov and Belinda Bencic are getting under way in their respective matches; but we’ll be focusing on Court 3, where Heather Watson, the British No 2, has a tough assignment against the Belgian 16th seed, Elise Mertens.
Yesterday’s news and comment from our man in Paris, Kevin Mitchell, for your reading pleasure:
The full order of play
Court Philippe-Chatrier
Marin CILIC (CRO) [3] vs Hubert HURKACZ (POL)
Lucas POUILLE (FRA) [15] vs Cameron NORRIE (GBR)
To be completed: Pouille leads 6-2 6-4 5-7
Simona HALEP (ROU) [1] vs Taylor TOWNSEND (USA)
Julien BENNETEAU (FRA) vs Juan Martin DEL POTRO (ARG) [5]
Serena WILLIAMS (USA) vs Ashleigh BARTY (AUS) [17]
Court Suzanne-Lenglen
Garbiñe MUGURUZA (ESP) [3] vs Fiona FERRO (FRA)
Malek JAZIRI (TUN) vs Richard GASQUET (FRA) [27]
Rafael NADAL (ESP) [1] vs Guido PELLA (ARG)
Shuai PENG (CHN) vs Caroline GARCIA (FRA) [7]
Court 1
Denis SHAPOVALOV (CAN) [24] vs Maximilian MARTERER (GER)
Maria SHARAPOVA (RUS) [28] vs Donna VEKIC (CRO)
Pierre-Hugues HERBERT (FRA) vs Jeremy CHARDY (FRA)
Julia GOERGES (GER) [11] vs Alison VAN UYTVANCK (BEL)
Court 18
Fabio FOGNINI (ITA) [18] vs Elias YMER (SWE)
Dominic THIEM (AUT) [7] vs Stefanos TSITSIPAS (GRE)
To be completed: Thiem leads 6-2 2-6 6-4
Lucie SAFAROVA (CZE) vs Karolina PLISKOVA (CZE) [6]
John ISNER (USA)[9] vs Horacio ZEBALLOS (ARG)
Shuai ZHANG (CHN) [27] vs Irina-Camelia BEGU (ROU)
Court 3
Heather WATSON (GBR) vs Elise MERTENS (BEL) [16]
Marton FUCSOVICS (HUN) vs Kyle EDMUND (GBR) [16]
Thomas FABBIANO (ITA) vs Borna CORIC (CRO)
Kristina MLADENOVIC (FRA) & Alexis MUSIALEK (FRA)
vs Anabel MEDINA GARRIGUES (ESP) & Marcel GRANOLLERS (ESP)
Court 4
Tessah ANDRIANJAFITRIMO (FRA) & Ugo HUMBERT (FRA)
vs Nicole MELICHAR (USA) & Alexander PEYA (AUT)
Raquel ATAWO (USA) & Anna-Lena GROENEFELD (GER) [11]
vs Zarina DIYAS (KAZ) & Saisai ZHENG (CHN)
Sara ERRANI (ITA) & Kirsten FLIPKENS (BEL)
vs Clara BUREL (FRA) & Diane PARRY (FRA)
Lara ARRUABARRENA (ESP) & Katarina SREBOTNIK (SLO)
vs Elise MERTENS (BEL) [12] & Demi SCHUURS (NED)
Sara CAKAREVIC (FRA) & Alexandre MULLER (FRA)
vs Vania KING (USA) & Franko SKUGOR (CRO)
Court 5
Samantha STOSUR (AUS) vs Anastasia PAVLYUCHENKOVA (RUS) [30]
Irina BARA (ROU) & Mihaela BUZARNESCU (ROU)
vs Xenia KNOLL (SUI) & Anna SMITH (GBR)
Viktorija GOLUBIC (SUI) & Nina STOJANOVIC (SRB)
vs Amandine HESSE (FRA) & Pauline PARMENTIER (FRA)
Daria GAVRILOVA (AUS) & Daria KASATKINA (RUS)
vs Nao HIBINO (JPN) & Oksana KALASHNIKOVA (GEO)
Anna-Lena GROENEFELD (GER) & Robert FARAH (COL) [8]
vs Coco VANDEWEGHE (USA) & Rajeev RAM (USA)
Court 6
Ruben BEMELMANS (BEL) vs Jurgen ZOPP (EST)
Lesia TSURENKO (UKR) vs Coco VANDEWEGHE (USA) [15]
Diego SCHWARTZMAN (ARG) [11] vs Adam PAVLASEK (CZE)
Benjamin BONZI (FRA) & Gregoire JACQ (FRA)
vs Rohan BOPANNA (IND) & Edouard ROGER-VASSELIN (FRA) [13]
Court 7
Jan-Lennard STRUFF (GER) vs Steve JOHNSON (USA)
Pablo CUEVAS (URU) vs Kevin ANDERSON (RSA) [6]
Angelique KERBER (GER) [12] vs Ana BOGDAN (ROU)
Court 8
Daria GAVRILOVA (AUS) [24] vs Bernarda PERA (USA)
Bethanie MATTEK-SANDS (USA) vs Andrea PETKOVIC (GER)
Albert RAMOS-VINOLAS (ESP) [31] vs Casper RUUD (NOR)
Lyudmyla KICHENOK (UKR) & Lesia TSURENKO (UKR)
vs Andrea SESTINI HLAVACKOVA (CZE) & Barbora STRYCOVA (CZE) [2]
Court 9
Magdalena RYBARIKOVA (SVK) [19] vs Belinda BENCIC (SUI)
Sergiy STAKHOVSKY (UKR) vs Mischa ZVEREV (GER)
Aliaksandra SASNOVICH (BLR) vs Kiki BERTENS (NED) [18]
Anna BLINKOVA (RUS) & Lucie HRADECKA (CZE)
vs Viktoria KUZMOVA (SVK) & Magdalena RYBARIKOVA (SVK)
Court 12
Anna KALINSKAYA (RUS) & Ekaterina MAKAROVA (RUS)
vs Jennifer BRADY (USA) & Vania KING (USA)
Wesley KOOLHOF (NED) & Artem SITAK (NZL)
vs Ivan DODIG (CRO) & Rajeev RAM (USA) [9]
Raven KLAASEN (RSA) & Michael VENUS (NZL) [10]
vs Jonathan EYSSERIC (FRA) & Hugo NYS (FRA)
Roberto CARBALLES BAENA (ESP) & Guillermo GARCIA-LOPEZ (ESP)
vs Simone BOLELLI (ITA) & Fabio FOGNINI (ITA)
Court 14
Ken SKUPSKI (GBR) & Neal SKUPSKI (GBR)
vs Daniele BRACCIALI (ITA) & Andreas SEPPI (ITA)
Monique ADAMCZAK (AUS) & Yafan WANG (CHN)
vs Andreja KLEPAC (SLO) & María José MARTINEZ SANCHEZ (ESP) [3]
Jamie MURRAY (GBR) & Bruno SOARES (BRA) [4]
vs Dusan LAJOVIC (SRB) & Florian MAYER (GER)
Alla KUDRYAVTSEVA (RUS) & Nikola MEKTIC (CRO)
vs Zhaoxuan YANG (CHN) & Aisam-ul-haq QURESHI (PAK)
Jelena OSTAPENKO (LAT) & Max MIRNYI (BLR)
vs Andreja KLEPAC (SLO) & Jean-Julien ROJER (NED) [5]
Court 15
Dalila JAKUPOVIC (SLO) & Irina KHROMACHEVA (RUS)
vs Naomi BROADY (GBR) & Magda LINETTE (POL)
Barbora KREJCIKOVA (CZE) & Katerina SINIAKOVA (CZE) [6]
vs Vera LAPKO (BLR) & Raluca OLARU (ROU)
Federico DELBONIS (ARG) & Benoit PAIRE (FRA)
vs Ryan HARRISON (USA) & Vasek POSPISIL (CAN)
Johanna KONTA (GBR) & Dominic INGLOT (GBR)
vs Fiona FERRO (FRA) & Evan FURNESS (FRA)
Katerina SINIAKOVA (CZE) & Jamie MURRAY (GBR) [4]
vs María José MARTINEZ SANCHEZ (ESP) & Marcelo DEMOLINER (BRA)
Court 16
Kaitlyn CHRISTIAN (USA) & Carina WITTHOEFT (GER)
vs María IRIGOYEN (ARG) & Kateryna KOZLOVA (UKR)
Marcelo DEMOLINER (BRA) & Santiago GONZALEZ (MEX)
vs Feliciano LOPEZ (ESP) & Marc LOPEZ (ESP) [12]
Mirza BASIC (BIH) & Damir DZUMHUR (BIH)
vs Henri KONTINEN (FIN) & John PEERS (AUS) [3]
Abigail SPEARS (USA) & Juan Sebastian CABAL (COL)
vs Kveta PESCHKE (CZE) & Marcin MATKOWSKI (POL)
Evgeny DONSKOY (RUS) & Miguel Angel REYES-VARELA (MEX)
vs Leonardo MAYER (ARG) & Joao SOUSA (POR)
Preamble
Hello and welcome to day five of the French Open, featuring not two but arguably three No 1s in singles action. That may seem impossible given that Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep hold the respective men’s and women’s top spots – but there again nothing is impossible when Serena Williams is concerned. Even at world No 451, she’s still the queen of tennis, the de facto ruler, who gained entry to the tournament through her protected, pre-maternity leave ranking of No 1. Winning the title in her first grand slam since giving birth may be too much to ask – even of the superhuman Serena – but she’s still the top draw in the women’s game.
Her determination to juggle motherhood with her day job was underlined in her impressive opening-round win, and today she faces another woman of many talents in Australia’s Ashleigh Barty, who spent a couple of years playing cricket before returning to tennis in 2016. Williams is in the unfamiliar position of not being the favourite for this second-round match but victory could move her closer to a fourth-round meeting with her old foe Maria Sharapova, who plays Croatia’s Donna Vekic. Nadal, meanwhile, will be chasing his 12,567th successive win at Roland Garros, against Argentina’s Guido Pella, while Halep plays the American wildcard Taylor Townsend.
Throw three Brits into today’s mix – Kyle Edmund, Heather Watson and Cameron Norrie, who resumes two sets to one down against France’s Lucas Pouille – along with Juan Martin del Potro, Marin Cilic, Dominic Thiem, Garbine Muguruza, Angelique Kerber and the exciting young Denis Shapovalov, and there’s more than enough to keep you going. Let’s just hope the possible showers don’t have too much of a say on proceedings.
Play begins at: just after 10am BST/11am in Paris.
Which gives you more than enough time to: watch Alex Zverev get flummoxed by a Yorkshire hack’s accent ...
Updated
