Any old how, that’s us for today - we’ll be back tomorrow but in the meantime, enjoy the rest of your weekend. Bye!
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Kozlova played well today, and plays Siniakova or Azarenka next. Ostapenko needs to get her game correct for Wimbledon - in particular, he second serve needs attention, but perhaps her shot selection too.
Ostapenko played poorly today, much as she has done for the past year. Her approach is great when it works, but she needs a fallback for when it doesn’t because otherwise, against a half-decent player she’s cooked.
Ostapenko 5-7 3-6 Kolova
THE DEFENDING CHAMPION IS OUT! FOR JUST THE SECOND TIME IN THE OPEN ERA, IN THE VERY FIRST ROUND!
Ostapenko plays the first well, hammering away from the back and forcing Kozlova to hit long.
Ostapenko is now just getting her second serve into play, and Kozlova steps around her backhand to punish a return for 15-all and quicksmart it’s 15-40 ... two matchpoints for Kozlova!
Kozlova suddenly starts playing and a wild thwack from Ostapenko sees her facing three game points. She looks at her mum and coach, but they’re not going to help her ... so Kozlova does, gifting two points. Dearie me. But here comes Kozlova again, a succession of booming backhands taking her within a game. Is the defending champ on her way hame?
15-30 down, Ostapenko starts struggling with her toss and the inevitable double fault doth ensue; two break points Kozlova. The first is saved and then a backhand inside-outer is far too good; well in Ostapenko, who then nets unnecessarily and double faults again for the third time in the game. Surely Kozlova can bring it home from here? Ostapenko 5-7 3-4 Kozlova.
What am I talking about. Ostapenko is hard, and she breaks back immediately - there’ve been only two holds in the ladt ten games.
Haase finally took that first set off Goffin 6-4; - he failed when serving for it in a marathon game but then broke - and he leads 1-0 on serve in the second.
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This might go quickly now! A double fault, Ostapenko’s tenth of the match, means that all Kozlova needs to do it hold serve thrice and she’s into round 2!
Ostapenko plays a nice approach when 40-30 down, skating in to finish it off, only to snatch at her clear-up and stick it into the net. 2-2.
But Ostapenko might just join her on that list - she’s broken-back to love, unable to get a rhythm going.
Ostapenko is starting her way back, breaking for 2-0. In the open era, Anastasia Myskina is the only champion to go out in the first round the following year - that was in 2004 and 2005.
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On Chatrier we’re back underway, and Ostapenko holds to 15. Kozlova doesn’t look comfy yet, lifting her foot gingerly, but presumably she’ll sort it in the next game or so.
Robin Haase is serving for the set against David Goffin, seeded 8...
Kozlova has a minging blister on her heel, at which the trainer is looking.
Kozlova manages to serve out, taking the first set 7-5. Can Ostapenko, the defending champion, rouse herself to get back into the match?
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Berankis 1-6 1-6 2-6 Zverev
Berankis nets a backhand and that’s that for him. Zverev looks in fantastic touch - his play was so dominant, and one hour nine minutes is remarkably little time to finish a three-set match. Zverev meets Vesely or Lajovic next, but the test for him will likely come next week when we’ll see if he’s got the game and the head to win under pressure.
Bernakis has got to two games in a set for the first time, but Zverev has five so he must hold to stay in the match.
Oh look, Kozlova has broken again ... can she secure the set this time?
Ostapenko has broken back for 5-5 and is beginning to display patience.
I hope Berankis’ locker-room nickname is BA.
Obviously Zverev now leads 4-1. Can he find a way to beat Nadal? It’s unfair to suffix this with that, but that’s what it’s about for him really - well sort of. He needs to get there first, which would constitute an achievement, but his time has come.
Lot of good that break-back did Ostapenko. She tamely cedes her serve and Kozlova has the ball on her racket as she seeks to win the set.
On Court 2, Goffin and Haase have started; they’re two games apiece.
Elsewhere, Zverev leads Berankis 2-1 in third, but they’re on serve.
Ostapenko goes to the well and forces Kozlova into a long, hard one before seizing on a net cord and punishing a backhand wrongfooter. 4-4 in the first.
Ostapenko has never beaten Kozlova, apparently - though they’ve only played twice. The thing with her is that she hits it so hard and takes so many risks, if it’s not happening for her she can lose to anyone. Kolova leads 4-3 with a break.
And there we go: Zverev takes the second set 6-1, and will shortly be back lounging.
Zverev is looking absolutely brilliant here, 5-1 up in the second set, and they’ve only been playing 41 minutes! Berankis isn’t even playing badly, there’s just nowt he can do.
Kuzmova beat Schiavone 7-6 7-6 - she plays Svitolina next in what should be a cracker.
The ageless Verdasco now leads Nishioka by two sets to one, but is a break down in the fourth.
What a joy Ostapenko was last year, embracing power and risk to shock the world ... age 19. She’s seeded 5 this time, but if she starts hitting it as she did, no one will fancy meeting her.
On Chatrier, last year’s surprise champions, Jelena Ostapenko, has started her title defence. She trails 2-3 and is a break down against Kateryna Kozlova.
No joy for Jo 😔
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) May 27, 2018
Konta beaten 6-4 6-3 by Yulia Putintseva in the first round of the French Open #RG18 pic.twitter.com/KmlmVVKZwo
On Lenglen, Zverev has taken the first set 6-1. Berankis is not offering him much.
Konta will be happy to get back in the changing room and off to a grass court. Can she pick up some confidence before Wimbledon?
Konta 4-6 3-6 Putitnseva
Putintseva stretches really well at the net to bring up matchpoint and confirms it in short order when Konta slashes a backhand wide. She did not look at all comfy out there, shorn of rhythm and confidence, and Putintseva quickly realised that if she could keep the ball in play, that’d be enough. She plays Brady or Hesse next.
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Elsewhere, Zverev leads Berankis 4-1.
Konta just doesn’t look like she’s sussed clay, up for 31 unforceds in going 0-15 down. She can produce decent points - she does with a serve out wide and a drive-volley that gets her 30-all - but there’s no consistency. Still, she hangs in there and Putitnseva will have to serve for it.
...easy hold for Putintseva. She’s a game away from dismissing the numer 22 seed.
Konta wins her first service game in time for 2-4. Huge few points coming up...
Putintseva is on one and Konta gives her 4-1 with a wafty forehand that she almost seems to give up on as she hits it.
Zverev breaks Berankis at the first opportunity and leads 2-0.
Putintseva is so quick around the court, and after consolidating, she races in when Konta mishits a smash and cleans it up for 3-1, exhorting the crowd in the aftermath. This match is nearly over; Konta has been broken four times on the spin.
Putitnseva breaks the run of breaks with a comfy hold. Konta 4-6 1-2 Putintseva ... and i think Putitnseva is rustling here, bouncing the ball like Konta does before serving. Snigger.
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Konta is playing much better now, and seeking to consolidate, a lovely pick-up gets her 30-30. But she can’t sustain her level and loses consecutive points, Putitnseva hitting a return from out wide that isn’t great but is good enough. That’s five breaks in row.
Alexander Zverev appears to have blowdried his curtains. We’ve all been there.
Brilliant from Konta, who forces breakpoints in fury at herself and seizes the third with an almighty forehand hit from shoulder-height. 1-0 her in the second set.
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Kuzmova has taken the first set against Schivaone - making her last appearance in Paris - on the breaker.
Next on Lenglen: Berankis v Zverev.
Konta can’t find her rhythm, and is quickly 0-40 down and fighting to stay in the set. But she’s good at that and wins two point to give herself a shot, then opens the court with a booming forehand ... only to net from in front of it! Dearie me. Konta 4-6 Putintseva.
Will Venus be back next term? I hope so, but who knows.
Wang beats Venus Williams 6-4 7-5!
Williams nets a backhand, and off she pops! The number nine seed is out! Brilliant performance from Wang, who is 90 in the world, and she plays Martic next.
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No she won’t! Backhand after backhand, walloped cross-court, and it’s match point!
Wang gets to 30-0 but Venus connects with a forehand to close the gap and then finds a lovely angle to plant another on the sideline. Will Wang get nervous?
Putintseva holds and gets to 0-30 ... what does Konta have for her? A kicking serve that’s too much for the 5’3 Russian for starters, but then Konta goes long on the forehand ... only to haul herself to deuce in short order! She then can’t make game from advantage thanks to her 19th unforced error so far - that is ridiculous - and when she rushes the net, breakpoint
...and Konta plays a really good point to equalise the break with a sweeping forehand. 5-4!
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At 30-all Putintseva goes long off the backhand - the standard in this match is not at all good...
She only needs one! A double from Williams means that Wang will shortly serve for the match! What a shock this could be! Williams leads the unforced errors 34-14.
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On Lenglen, Wang and Williams are 5-5 ... and Wang has two break points!
Pouille now leads Medvedev by two sets to love; Verdasco has made it 1-1 v Nishioka; and Kuzmova leads Schiavone 504 in the third.
Putntiseva puts Konta under pressure when she serves at 2-3, but can’t find the consistency in her groundstrokes thus allowing an escape from breakpoint down; 3-3 it is. Meanwhile on Lenglen, Wang and Williams are 4-4.
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Konta and Putintseva are 2-2 and both are easing into stride now, hitting the cover off it. Konta gets to 30-30 on the Putintseva serve, but glides a backhand slice into the net and the quarter-chance is quickly eased away from her.
As I was saying, Wang has broken back and now trails 2-3 after winning the first set 6-4. Elsewhere, Pouille, the 15th seed in the men’s, leads Medvedev by a set and a break.
Wang is on the board in set 2, but Venus is starting to serve well now and you’d expect her to win the three games that she needs to set up a decider.
Verdasco, seeded 30, is a set down but a break up against Nishioka; Carreno Busta, seeded 10, is through after losing the first set to Kovalik. He plays Delbonis or Bellucci next, neither of whom is a gimme.
Anyway, she trails 1-0 on serve.
So what’s going on with Johanna Konta? Was that run she had the best she’s got, or can she come again? My worry for her is that she doesn’t have anything special - she’s solid, but if the better players have a good day against her, with their big weapons working, it’s a problem.
I barely need to type this, but Venus isn’t messing about, and has broken at the first time of asking in set 2. She’s now serving to consolidate.
And here’s a primer on Konta.
Here’s Putintseva at her best.
Next on Court 1: Johanna Konta v Julia Putintseva.
Wang loses the first point of the game but is rock-solid thereafter, outlasting Williams from the back of the court and taking thet set when a slice floats long! Wang 6-4 Williams.
Wang breaks Venus! She’ll serve for the first set at 5-4 in a few moments.
Game, set and match Nishikori! He beats Janvier 7-6 6-4 6-3!
And isn’t it good to see him back; he plays Perre or Carballes Baena next. Janvier, meanwhile, will reflect on big points lost and chances missed, but did well as a wild card and will hope to build on what was a highly respectable performance.
I don’t suppose this is very surprising: Nishikori has broken Janvier for 4-3 and need only hold his serve twice to reach round 2.
You’ve got to admire Venus Williams’ competitive spirit. It’s hard to see how she’ll win another Slam and she doesn’t need the money, but here she is, griding. Wang is playing well though, and they’re currently 30-all and 3-3.
Janvier schleps himself a break point, but Nishikori plays a belter, sending him scurrying to hither and yon before polishing it off with a thump at the net. Huge hitting from Janvier then raises another, only for him to net when set ... really does own a brute of a forehand and uses it to arrange a tenth break point of the match ... but Nishikori is just so quick around the court and runs him down yet again before serving out for 3-3 (7-6 6-4).
Monstrous hold from Janvier to stick in the third set, which he now leads 3-2. Can he somehow fiddle a break?
Carreno Busta now leads Kovalik by 2-1; they’re on serve in the third.
Fans of art will be disappointed to learn that old Ivo Karlovic is a set and break down. Never mind.
Venus has broken back, obviously.
Has there ever been a sporting tournament in which the identity of the winner was so obvious in advance? Apart from previous French Opens won by Rafael Nadal, obviously. I suppose Federer and Sampras were locks too, but I don’t remember conceiving of that in the way that I conceive of this.
Venus nets a backhand, and Wang breaks are a 12 minute first game!
There are just so many good French tennisers. Janvier, though he’s down two sets, looks to have something, and quickly wins the opening game of set 3. He’s only 21, but is making Nishikori fight for everything.
Williams and Wang are underway, at deuce in the first game.
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Nishikori has taken the second set against Janvier, now leading 7-6 6-4. It’s great to see him back.
Cornet 2-6 6-2 603 Errani
Errani runs around her forehand ... and nets! That’s a really great win for Cornet, though more of a workout that she’s have wanted - she beats her chest to prove the point. Errani, though, played very well indeed and Cornet will feel she’s in the tournament. Next for her, one of “her fellow countrywomen”, Chloe Paquet or Pauline Parmentier.
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Errani saves another matchpoint, but then Cornet gently swipes a drop shot for advantage...
Errani loops a backhand, forcing Cornet to leap over her response, and a forehand winner saves the first match point ... then Cornet goes long with a forehand from the baseline, then Errani snatches deuce!
Nor is Cornet! She breaks again, and now leads 40-0 serving for the match!
Errani is not to be messed with. She’s broken cornet back and is serving at 3-4 in the decider.
Nishikori, playing his first Slam since Wimbledon last year, is now a break up in the second set against Janvier after taking the first on a breaker. He opulloed out of a tournament because of his wrist situation last week, but seems ok for the now. After he’s done, Johanna Konta is on.
Next on Lenglen: Qiang Wang v Venus Williams. Don’t mind if I do.
Great effort from Benchetrit, mind, who won’t have expected to win a set. He looked really good in doing it though, while Monfils will face Klizan or Djere next - they’re 3-3 in the third, and a set apiece.
Benchetrit 6-3 1-6 2-6 1-6 Monfils
Monfils gets himself to 30-40 and matchpoint, but a silky drop from Benchetrit foils him. He quickly racks up another, but, only to net a backhand from the baseline. Except, here’s another, and this time a backhand, high down the line, forces Benchetrit to jab out of the tramlines and that’s all she wrote.
Cornet is bringing it home, a break up and consolidating via lovely backhand cross-court glance. She leads Errani 4-1 in the decider and is looking decidely pleased with life.
Monfils is nearly there, 5-1 up in the fourth. Benchetrit, though, will nab 40,000 euros for this, miles more than he’s earned this year and last year combined. That gives him the chance to invest in himself and see if he can’t make a go of this professional sport lark.
Rus 0-6 2-6 Stephens
Sloane Stephens is into round 2, and wasted just 49 minutes of her Sunday despatching Arantxa Rus. She plays Frech or Alexandrova next and is one of about 5,421 women who’ll fancy their chances of doing something here.
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Out of nowhere, a break point for Benchetrit when Monfils serves a double fault ... but Benchetrit misses with a forehand for the ages, then undercooks a block-back. Still, Monfils isn’t making it easy for himself, but eventually he sorts the game for 3-1 in the fourth.
Cornet gathers herself, and breaks back immediately.
Meanwhile on Chatrier, ya gal Alize Cornet has turned the tide. She has just taken the second set against Sara Errani ... except Errani only went and broke her in the first game of the decider!
On Court 1, Kei Nishikori has taken the first set on a tiebreak: Nishikori 7-6 (7-0) Janvier. And Monfils now leads 2-0 in the fourth set against Benchetrit.
Cornet has wrapped up the second set: Corner 2-6 6-2 Errani.
Monfils is hopping around, having hurt his left calf while skidding for a return. He recovers to break Benchetrit in the first game of the fourth set: he leads 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 1-0.
BREAKING NEWS! NICK KYRGIOS WITHDRAWS FROM THE TOURNAMENT
Gah. His elbow is done, so we miss his genius and fun, plus his first rounder against Tomic. Annoyance.
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Monfils makes hard work of it, as is his wont, but he now leads Benchetrit 3-6 6-1 6-2.
Cornet is pouring it on now, and a physical game sees her wrestle that break. Cornet 2-6 4-2 Errani
Benchetrit holds and now trails 5-2 in the third set. Monfils will have to serve for his 2-1 lead, but it’s almost inconceivable that he won’t pull it off.
All very nice, but...
Unmistakeable 👍
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2018
The @ThiemDomi backhand has arrived at #RG18. pic.twitter.com/LgAytXiLBp
On Chatrier the crowd are beginning to get behind Cornet, as she holds to 15 and leads a set for the first time in the match.
Cornet is beginning to huff, and has squared the second set at 2-2, but still trails Errani by 1.
Monfils slugs a backhand wide and Monfils is on the board in this set, winning his first game in several. Benchetrit 6-3 1-6 1-4.
Benchetrit is gone. He leads 11-0 in unforced errors in this set, and is showing no signs of improvement.
On Court 3, Pablo Carreno-Busta, the number 10 seed, lost the first set to Jozef Kovalik but then won the second. They’re on serve in the third.
Errani and Monfils both consolidate. Sloane Stephens is 4-1 up.
On Chatrier, Errani has kicked-off the second set with a break. Cornet needs to find her tune.
A reminder of what we’ve got coming up:
Next on Lenglen, Williams, Venus play Wang; Johanna Konta plays Putintseva when Nishikori is done; Jelena Ostapenko begins the defence of her title; and Alexander Zverev begins his bis to lose to Rafael Nadal in the final.
Six in a row for Monfils now. He breaks in the opening game of the set, and Benchetrit needs to find something.
Elsewhere, Nishikori is underway, 2-2 in the first against Janvier of France. Sloane Stephens is on court too, a game up against Arantxa Rus. Meanwhile, Nicolas Jarry of Cuba fancies himself some Dimitrov - he now leads Donaldson 3-6 6-4 4-2.
Errani serves out take the first set 6-2. Cornet is in all sorts here, because Errani is looking solid as.
Monfils holds to love! Benchetrit 6-3 1-6 Monfils. He is looking confident now, and it’d not be surprising to see him accelerate home.
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Monfils gets to 5-1 and we enjoy a glorious rally as he chases down a drop, then flips back Benchetrit’s counter at the net like it’s nothing. He basks in some adulation, then apologies to his opponent for being so effortlessly brilliant.
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Monfils is pushing on now, pilled up off the doctor and 4-1 ahead ... but Errani is strong-standing, 5-2 ahead.
Benchetrit is break point down and second serve down, bit he leaps to absolutely monster a forehand down the line for deuce. This is absolutely exemplary stuff so far, but then he misses two forehands in a row and Monfils breaks for 6-3 1-3.
Cornet appears to have warmed, a delectable backhand cross-court setting up a break point, which she snaffles. 3-1 Errani now.
Monfils has a word with the trainer and then some chat with Benchetrit. It’s warm out there by the looks of things, if heat can look hot. I should add, and should have already stated, that Benchetrit is wearing purple trainers. They are rude-1.
Errani serves like Jo Durie, putting her racket behind her head and halfway down her back, pre-toss. It’s working for her at the moment, as she leads 3-0 and 40-40.
Benchetrit isn’t going away. It’s 1-1 in set 2 and Monfils is rubbing his groin before serving at advantage. Benchetrit swipes a backhand crosscourt but wide, and trails 1-2.
Errani has started nicely, breaking Cornet at the first opportunity ... and she now has two points for a double ... and takes the seconc!
This is the first five-setter Benchetrit has ever played, but you’d never know. Monfils, meanwhile, is getting irated by all sorts, movement in the crowd, the price of Fredos, you name it.
Benchetrit is a big old kid at 6’4, and he uses his wingspan to give himself 30-15, then quickly racks up a set point ... and down comes a serve that’s too good! Benchetrit 6-3 Monfils!
On Chatrier, Errani and Cornet are away, playing the first game; on Lenglen, Benchetrit has finagled two break points. The first goes with an ace, but a murderous forehand and a drop shot set up the second for Benchetrit! He’ll now serve for the set!
Yes, Monfils is into this; he breaks again, to love, and that’s nine points in a row as well as 4-0 to 4-3.
Back to BabyfedTM, I neglected to inform that Dimitrov will play Donaldson or Jarry next; that match is currently 6-3 3-3.
Great hold from Monfils from 0-40 to make it 4-2. Benchetrit - who, to make you feel inferior, is just 19 - will now show us what he’s got. But Monfils seems to have felt his way into things, and dispenses a drop-shot that puts him ahead in the game.
Earlier on Lenglen, Elaina Svitolina, the improving number 4 seed who will fancy herself for a maiden Slam, was made to work for it by Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, but after an hour 29 was through to round 2 by 5 and 3. But it’s a relative toughie next: Kuzmova or Schiavone.
Benchetrit is absolutely avin it ere, now 4-0 ahead. Monfils is looking bedraggled and exceedingly sorry for his little self. But then he takes himself to 15-40 and Benchetrit goes long with a backhand, so perhaps this set remains undid.
Meanwhile, Benchetrit, who is chucking in some serve-volley, consolidates from 0-30 down.
Next on: Alize Cornet, the French 32 seed, takes on Sara Errani of Italy.
Grigor Dimitrov beats Mohamed Safwat, 6-1 6-4 7-6.
No problem at all for the number 4 seed, who if he plays to his potential will eventual be beaten by Rafael Nadal.
But look at this! Benchetrit holds, then breaks! Minfils is 7 and 10 on clay this term, so there’s a potential opening here.
On Lenglen, local favourite and otherworldly talent, Gael Monfils, seeded 32, is 40-all in the first game with local person, Elliot Benchetrit. “Can slide the length and width of France,” our commentary says of the former.
Good question, eh?
So what’s going on?
Greetings all, and welcome to the French Open 2018! This is going to be great, so here we go!
Daniel will be here shortly. In the meantime you can read how Kyle Edmund is preparing for the latest test of his ability …
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