That’s your lot from Roland Garros on a day when we lost two great champions. Roger Federer protected his body, Serena Williams bowed out limply. Davidovich Fokina has just gone two sets up against Federico Delbonis. That game has a long way to go though. Thanks for your time today, and sharing your thoughts. We’ll be back tomorrow for more of the same. Goodnight.
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Rybakina says she is “so happy” with her “amazing” win. “I was nervous but I’m just happy that I managed my thoughts and everything and I won today.” She can’t stop smiling. Why should she. She is some talent. The Russian-born Kazakhstani is 21 and going places. But will Serena Williams be back at Roland Garros. Let’s hope so.
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Elena Rybakina beats Serena Williams 6-3, 7-5
Williams draws first blood in the game but Rybakina responds with an ace down the middle. She’s ice cool. In the flash of an eye it’s 40-15. She misses the first serve but the second is bang on the line. Serena sends it long and the great champion is out. What a performance from Rybakina.
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Rybakina starts with a sizzling return winner then sends Serena scrambling with a crosscourt forehand. A double fault from the American, her first of the match, makes it 0-40 and Rybakina produces another crushing crosscourt return to go 6-5 up. She will serve for the match.
Evening all. Serena has been all over the place in this match but Rybakina is giving her no peace. The underdog races into a 40-0 lead with some pinpoint serving, then seals the game at the second attempt. It’s 5-5. This is very interesting. Big game.
Right, my watch is over; Rob Bleaney will coax you through the remainder. Thanks for your company and enjoy the rest of the weekend. Ta-ra.
Rybakina catches Serena, a little slow on her feet as she makes room to hit a forehand, and the ball catches her racket; I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that. But Serena has upped it these last few minutes and finds a terrific forehand for 15-all then makes it 30-15 and, though Rybakina does claw back one point with a terrific forehand of her own, Serena strong-stands and now leads 5-4 in set two.
Rybakina indulges a little hop on the spot as a winner whizzes by her to give Serena 15-30; it works, because a big serve then restores parity in the game. But a tight, tame forehand drips wide, then another is powered wide, and that’s why Serena is Serena. She breaks back immediately and, for the first time, Rybakina looked nervous. Thing is, Serena still isn’t playing well...
Gosh, Serena digs out a backhand that flies wide and gives Rybakina 0-40, driving a forehand at her when she comes to the net next point. It doesn’t make any difference though, a forehand winner giving the 21-year-old the break! She’s outplaying Serena here, and if she can muster two holds she’s through! Williams 3-6 3-4 Rybakina
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A beautifully-timed forehand return, then a sensational backhand angle, gives Serena a sniff and hauls her from 30-0 to 30-all. But Rybakina is so solid and quickly polishes off the game for 3-3 while, on Lenglen, Davidovich Fokina has a double break in set two having won set one.
Watching this, it’s very hard to see Serena beating the best – she’s just not moving or hitting well enough. Obviously she’s made a career out of amazing us and as I type that she inches ahead in the set with an ace – but still. Williams 3-6 2-1 Rybakina
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Serena then holds, her first in three, and gets to 15-30 on the Rybakina serve; an ace follows, then a really commanding point in which Serena is again sent scurrying along the baseline and we’re quickly at 2-2. Meanwhile, Davidovich Fokina has broken Delbonnis to lead 6-4 2-1.
Yeah, we got ourselves a ball-game. Serena responds with a break of her own, sealed with a huge backhand. Williams 3-6 1-1 Rybakina
Serena mislaid her length in that set, and will know now that if she doesn’t improve, she’ll lose. Rybakina, meanwhile, will know that the win of her career – that will establish her career – is there for her, and she opens the second set by winning the first three points on Serena’s serve! And though Serena finds a ludicrous forehand for 15-40, that’s all she can manage! She’s in a world of trouble now!
Back on Lenglen, Davidovich Fokina is busy gesticulating at the crowd having taken the first set against Delbonnis, 6-4.
Now we’ll see. Rybakina opens with a double but responds with a beauty out wide; Serena thinks it’s out so the umpire comes over to check and declares the ball good, then when another falls short, Rybakina cleanses a backhand winner. She’s got Serena moving and after making her chase along the baseline clouts a winner that gives her two set points; the first is saved via booming forehand, the second via double. Rybakina had a proper go with her second serve and you’ve got to admire that - she knew Serena would attack it – but it was fractionally wide. No matter, on deuce Rybakina changes it up with a body serve that allows a winner down the line ... but then goes long. She’s wins the next point though, and a poor shot gives Serena a chance on the backhand ... but she sends it wide! Rybakina takes the first set 6-3!
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Rybakina’s mentality has been first-class so far and she gets herself a point to break back the break-back – Serena is dropping balls to short, and when she offers a forehand it’s sent straight back past her! Rybakina will now serve for the set at 5-3!
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On Lenglen, Davidovich Fokina has broken Delbonnis back; they’re at 3-3.
A double hands Serena break-back point but Rybakina doesn’t give a rabbit one, hammering out to the backhand before punishing into the forehand space, as the greatest slides into a heap. This is a match and Serena is growing into it, earning another opportunity ... quickly snuffed out via ace ... but Rybakina can’t keep saving herself and the next advantage is rammed home for 4-3.
Great stuff, from Rybakina, consolidating to 15 for 4-1; this first set is running away from sSerena, and fast. Meanwhile, Delbonnis has broken Davidovich Fokina for 3-1.
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Rybakina has got right into this, completely undaunted, raising her first break point at 2-1 ... and taking it when Serena goes long!
Two more love holds for Serena and Rybakina, while Davidovich Fokina and Delbonnis are also on serve. Delbonnis, for those unfamiliar with his oeuvre, has a serve not unlike Jo Durie – he raises his racket before he tosses the ball, though unlike her his goes straight up, not behind the head.
“Federer is about two weeks older than me,” says the stripling Matt Dony, “so I’ve always been heartened by his longevity. Almost feels like I still have time to get the first Grand Slam under the belt. But seeing him struggle with, and indeed succumb to, injuries over the last few years is depressing. Maybe I really have left sporting supremacy too late. (Still got Mickelson, though…).”
Yes, I feel you. Being older than all the players is a miserable situation, as is the long-awaited realisation that you can legitimately call most of them “son”.
Serena has a load of strapping on her right thigh and hasn’t got her feet going yet, a drop into the net handing Rybakina a love hold to start. Rybakina was actually a gymnast until they discovered she was going to grow beyond six feet, at which point her dad suggested she try tennis and here we are.
On Lenglen, Davidovich Fokina and Delbonnis are warming up.
Here come Serena and Rybakina...
And the football men are about to play Romania.
Elsewhere, England’s cricket men are trying not to win the first Test against New Zealand.
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“A difficult but wise decision by Federer,” tweets @Mysteron_Voice. “It would have looked a lot different if he had pulled out before a potential match against Djokovic, and there’s no point in letting Nole possibly wipe the floor with you if you are nowhere near 100%...”
I was looking forward to his match against Berrettini, but no one can accuse Federer of not being committed to the game. If he says he can’t, he can’t.
History made!! 💪🤔👊🤣 https://t.co/t9T9d1uJbE
— Daniil Medvedev (@DaniilMedwed) May 31, 2021
Apparently Medvedev said that the new balls suit his style, and he’s also hitting the ball harder – especially on the backhand. Tsitsipas will be a very different challenge for him, but his serve makes him difficult to beat before we’ve even started with the rest of him.
We’re 20 minutes away from Serena v Rybakina on Chatrier; next on Lenglen, it’s Davidovich Fokina v Delbonnis.
Daniil Medvedev [2] beats Cristian Garin [22] 6-1 6-2 7-5!
Medvedev, who’d never won a match at Roland Garros, has now won four. He meets Tsitsipas [5] next, and the way he’s playing, that could be more of a contest than we might think.
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Medvedev chases out wide to retrieve and guides a slice back across the next ... but Garin is waiting to put it away ... into the bottom of the net! Oh dear. He then nets again, but fights back well for 30-all ... before Medvedev nails a forehand down the line ... and Garin does likewise with a backhand. That takes us to a succession of deuces, during which we even see Medvedev at the net – he can’t return Garin’s pass – and after which we see Medevev nail two monstrous forehand winners down the line and on the run when sent to chase wide ones. Wow! They give him the break, and after a sit-down he’ll serve for the match.
Garin is playing much better now, and with Medvedev serving at 4-5 he works his to 30-all. So Medvedev sends down a service winner followed by an ace, as you do, and lumps the pressure back on his opponent. I’d not be surprised to see him break next game.
Thanks John and hi again. Looking at the draw, I see that the winner of this match plays Tsitsipas next; that’a a strange seed 2 v seed 5 unwinding of the draw; Nadal, seeded 3, will play Schwartzman, seeded 10, if both win their last 16 matches.
Ok, Daniel will resume duties with Garin leading 4-3 in the third set, two sets down to Medvedev.
We are back at 3-3 as Medvedev recovers himself, and now to try and break Garin’s serve. The Russian looks fluid and confident once more, having had a slight wobble.
Tsitsipas beats Carreno Busta 6-3 6-2 7-5!
Powerful serving, and then some crashing ground strokes get the job done. That was hugely impressive against an opponent who threw everything at it.
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There’s more life in the other men’s game, with Garin 3-1 up on Medvedev in the the third set.
Tsitsipas holds for 5-5, claiming the game with an ace. And so it’s Carreno Busta who enters sudden death mode. Tsitsipas goes to 30-15 up, and then an error from the Spaniard grants him two break points. Then another, and it’s 6-5, and he will serve for the match.
Here’s the latest on Roger Federer.
Tsitsipas fails to break, and will have to serve to stay in the third set. It’s 5-4 to Carreno Busta.
It’s at 4-4 between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Pablo Carreño Busta. This could be done in three sets, with the momentum very much with Tsitsipas.
Needless to say, Medvedev took the second set 6-1 on Garin. He’s cruising through, and not the lack of effort from his opponent.
Carreno Busta was 4-1 up and a break up, but Tsitsipas hits back and it goes to 3-4, with the Greek to serve.
Here’s the reasons for Federer’s withdrawal. Hopefully he will be OK for another shot at SW19.
“After discussions with my team, I’ve decided I will need to pull out of the French Open today. After two knee surgeries and over a year of rehabilitation it’s important that I listen to my body and make sure I don’t push myself too quickly on my road to recovery. I am thrilled to have gotten 3 matches under my belt. There is no greater feeling than being back on court”, said Federer.
Tournament Director, Guy Forget said: “The Roland-Garros tournament is sorry about the withdrawal of Roger Federer, who put up an incredible fight last night. We were all delighted to see Roger back in Paris, where he played three high-level matches. We wish him all the best for the rest of the season.”
PRESS RELEASE#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/dYgPxLvovR
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2021
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Roger Federer pulls out of Roland Garros
He’s won three matches but his knee was troubling him. Wimbledon and Tokyo are the aim for this year after all.
La direction de Roland-Garros informe que Roger Federer déclare forfait pour les huitièmes de finale du tournoi.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/flCDZ5dQzU
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2021
Medvedev in full control, and 5-0 up on Garin, who has put on a white cap, as if to give himself luck, and it seems to work. He’s still 5-1 down, and Medvedev can serve for the second set.
Medvedev seems well in charge on Garin though is meeting resistance at 3-0 up in the second set. He has two break points, and Garin is being sent all round the court. Still, he saves them but then Medvedev’s power brings it back to deuce. Then the Russian goes long on a service return, and then a skidding pass follows a Garin drop shot. A superb shot leaves the Chilean swinging at fresh air. Garin though pulls off the drop shot this time around, with added slice. Then a winning shot goes wide of the line, and the umpire is out of his seat to show how far he was out - it wasn’t by much. This is a monstrously long game. Garin desperate to hold his serve but he is being put through the wringer. And finally he succumbs - it’s 4-0 in the second set and Medvedev looking confident.
Carreno Busta grabs a break, and he’s 2-0 up in the third on Tsitsipas. Game on!
Good afternoon, everyone. Carreno Busta is still fighting hard despite his deficit, but Tsitsipas takes him to deuce on his opening service game. Some good play at the net, two crashing smashes means he holds.
And with that, I’m off for some dinner; John Brewin will guide you through the next hour.
Well, Carreno Busta gets himself 30-40 with Tsitsipas serving for the set and looks well in the rally, until a forehand out wide followed by one down the line to the other corner facilitate the simple put-away. I’ve not seen many players who you see behind in a rally but know will find a way to turn it around – Tsitsipas just has so many weapons, and when Carreno Busta can only bump a serve out wide over the net, he’s already on his way back to his seat when it’s knocked into the open court. Tsitsipas 6-3 6-2 Carreno Busta
Two huge backhands cross-court – Garin expected the second to be up the middle or down the line - raises set point for Medvedev, and a double fault hands it to him. He’s played pretty well, and looks in total control. Garin 2-6 Medvedev
This must be really painful for Carreno Busta: everything he does well, Tsitsipas does better, and everything he does badly, Tsitsipas does well. But he does really well to win his first game in seven, a fine drop and a fine get the highlights. It’s now 4-1 Tsitsipas in set two, while on Lenglen, Medvedev has consolidated for 4-2.
Successive booming forehands give Medvedev the first break point of the match, and when one of Garin’s loops wide of close to the frame, that’s enough to convert it. He leads 3-1 while Carreno Busta just can’t find a way past Tistsipas, who’s now won four games straight and leads 3-0 in the second, two breaks to the good.
Meanwhile, Medvedev holds well for 2-1 against Garin; they’re getting warm.
Goodness me, break point-down, Carreno Busta hammers a serve that forces Tsitsipas out wide ... so he simply uses the angle to fetch a wondrous forehand return cross-court. He is a player.
Tsitsipas slices an ace down the T to win a first set that yielded just one break but which made clear his superiority. Tsitsipas 6-3 Carreno Busta
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Carreno Busta holds for 3-5 but he’s shown no signs of breaking; Tsitsipas is just too good for him. Meantime, Medvedev finds an ace on deuce then closes out for 1-0. If he didn’t know it before, he now knows he’s in a match.
Garin and Medvedev are away, and this should be a decent little go-around, Garin the better clay-court player but Medvedev the better player. I think the number two seed will have enough, but if he’s off it he’ll lose.
I can’t think of many players who blend touch, power, athleticism and cool with the natural ease of Tsitsipas – if he can start winning majors, he could be the star that tennis needs as the older generation move over the top (but not yet).
Carreno Busta survives a near break to make 4-2, while Garin and Medvedev are out warming up.
It’s easy to pigeon-hole Carreno Busta as the archetypal Spanish clay-courter, but it wasn’t until he moved to Barcelona aged 15 that he really played on the surface, and his best performances have been on hard. At the moment, he’s not got loads for Tsitsipas – who’s just produced a lush backhand pick-up winner – and trails 1-4.
Tsitsipas has broken Carreno Busta at the first time of asking to lead 2-0 in their first set.
Badosa loves playing on clay and tells the crowd she likes Paris and France. More news as I get it.
Next on Chatrier: Garin [22] v Medvedev [2]
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Paula Badosa beats Maria Vondrousova [20] 6-4 3-6 6-2!
What a brilliant win that is! She clamps a hand over her mouth in amazement despite playing like it was her right, and an eminently winnable match against Zidansek is her reward.
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But she’s more than ready for the last eight, raising two match points!
Tell you what: based on what I’ve seen over the last eight days, Iga Swiatek looks a very good bet to retain her title – unless Serena has one of her days, it’s really hard to see who beats her. Badosa, for example, is third-favourite, but though she’s a talent – she now needs just one more hold to progress – she doesn’t look ready.
Tsitsipas and Carreno Busta are underway....
Vondrousova struggles through a hold, via various deuces, for 4-2. Badosa remains two holds away from the quarters, but a lot of tightness could come between them and her.
On Chatrier, Tsitsipas and Carreno Busta are walking out for what should be a decent match: the superstar quality of the former versus the clay-court specialism of the latter.
This time Badosa consolidates – and comfortably. She’s looking good for the last eight.
Ah, it’s like that, is it? In no time at all, Badosa has three break points and only needs one, Vondrousova banging a forehand cross-court wide. Vondrousova 4-6 6-3 1-3 Badosa
Vondrousova gives Badosa plenty as she looks to consolidate, earning deuce with a colossal forehand then, on advantage, down comes a double. That’s the first time we’ve seen the Spaniard wilt under pressure, and we’re back on serve in the decider.
Badosa forces a break point but Vondrousova is equal to it, clumping a forehand winner down the line. Next time, though, she can only muster a double, and Badosa leads the decider 2-0.
Next on Chatrier: Tsitsipas [5] v Carreno Busta [12]
Pavlyuchenkova [31] beats Azarenka [15] 5-7 6-3 6-2!
Azarenka didn’t play all that well but that’s still a great win for Pavlyuchenkova, who equals her best-ever Slam performance. She meets Serena or Rybakina next.
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This has accelerated quickly; Pavlyuchenkova now has three match points...
Suddenly Pavlyuchenkova is nearly there! She plays a terrific game to break again, a cross-court forehand winner sealing the deal, and in 90 seconds she’ll serve for the last eight.
Angry Azarenka is best Azarenka and she quickly raises a break-back point only to miss her backhand return – a significant oversight – and one compounded by one into the net that hands Pavlyuchenkova advantage. A squeal follows, and seconds later the gap is two games at 4-2 while, on Lenglen, Vondrousova has taken the second set.
Now then. Azarenkafinds herself with a break point which she tamely spurns, then minutes later is facing two and pulls a forehand into the net. Pavlyuchenkova leads the decider 3-2 with a breakl, while Vondrousova has consolidated to 5-2 in set two.
Badosa is so good under pressure, which is to say that on those occasions, she does pretty much what she always does. She saved a couple of break pints in her previous service game and powers through three more here ... but you can only outrun opportunity for so long, and Vondrousova’s forehand gives her 4-2 in set two.
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I really like the look of Badosa, who has weapons and moxie; she trusts her forehand to extricate her from a break point-down situation, then unfurls a lovely backhand for advantage and quickly closes out. Girl can play.
We’re on serve in both our matches currently, Badosa leading VondRoursova 6-4 1-2 with Azarenka and Pavlyuchenkova 1-1 in their decider.
Dearie me; Azarenka fights back from 40-0 to 40-30, steps in to face a second serve, then well in the rally whacks a backhand long. But that works nicely for us because we now get to enjoy a decider. Azarenka 7-5 3-6 Pavlyuchenkova
Badosa, meanwhile, saves two break-back points in fine style – she runs onto the ball beautifully and addresses it with power before clinching the set with a lob. Excellent work from her – she looks comfortably the superior player now.
Azarenka plays a miserable game to hand Pavlyuchenkova three break points and she saves two really well ... but a very tight double ruins her good work; Pavlyuchenkova will now serve for the second set.
Azarenka gets to 30-all in Pavlyuchenkova’s next service game but a pair of decent first serves snuff her out. Meanwhile, Badosa is well on top now, and at 15-40 Vondrousova hauls a forehand wide so that she’ll now serve for the first set at at 5-4.
“After last night’s match, Federer said he wasn’t sure if he would play his fourth round match against Berrettini,” emails James Ferguson, “citing the fact that there is not a week off in between the French Open and Halle, where he has committed to playing. Following his lead, do you reckon I can get away with emailing my Swiss boss for a week off before our next big meeting?”
I’m not sure a week is sufficient to ensure adequate preparation.
Badosa is getting the measure of Vondrousova now, picking her drops and such – they’re at 3-3 – while Azarenka has recorded the fourth straight break in her match with Pavlyuchenkova so now trails 2-3 having won set one.
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And the Azerbaijan land of fire GP:
Also going on: the final day of England v New Zealand which might just yield a positive result.
Badosa breaks back immediately with the help of a double fault, while Pavlyuchenkova has broken Azarenka again to nudge in front in set two.
Vondrousova’s composure is working better than Badosa’s power, and she’s just broken for 3-1.
Excellent from Pavlyuchenkova, who breaks immediately in set two ... then finds herself playing deuce as she tries to consolidate. A banging forehand down the line gives Azarenka a chance to resolve things, and a really tame backhand hands her the game. Azarenka 7-5 1-2 Pavlyuchenkova
A lot of people are high on Badosa, and I can’t wait to see how she does against the wily lefty behaviour of Vondrousova. Vondrousova 1-0 Badosa
Azarenka is struggling here, Pavlyuchenkova sticking away at backhand at the net for a break-back point ... only to net a backhand return. But she quickly arranges another opportunity ... then spurns it, and Azarenka punishes her, upping the aggression to clinch the set principally via forehand. Azarenka 7-5 Pavlyuchenkova
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And there it is: Paylyuchenkova spurns various game points then tamely nets a backhand, giving Azarenka a third break of the set. She’ll serve for it in 90 while, on Lenglen, Vondrousova and Badosa are out for what should be a decent tear-up.
Im not bothered by the outcome of this match at all. Just seeing Federer at 39 off the back of 2 knee surgeries playing to an empty stadium at 12.30am getting fired up is inspirational to me. Do what you ❤️
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) June 5, 2021
Great news. I absolutely love Halep, and can’t wait to see her play again – we’ve missed her here.
My first hit after 3.5 weeks. It feels like I've been away a lot longer because I missed playing so much. But this period was the best because, even if i have a wonderful life, I could sense what I feel about tennis and how I feel when I can't play it... https://t.co/VQJBuKQxZQ pic.twitter.com/pg4j0sqjDl
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) June 5, 2021
Azarenka holds easily for 5-5, and I’d not be surprised to see her break in the next game.
Pavlyuchenkova started this match playing pretty much as well as she can and will be perturbed to have nothing to show for it. Still, though Azarenka has improved since then, she’ll now serve to stay in the set. Azarenka 4-5 Pavlyuchenkova
Wikipedia informs me that Badosa’s favorite shot is the serve. Lovely stuff.
On Chatrier, they’ve swapped breaks again; Azarenka is serving at 3-4 down. Next on Lenglen, it’s that match I mentioned below; will power and aggression of Badosa be too much for the canny, skilful Vondrousova?
Zidansek beats Cirstea 7-6(5) 6-1!
That’s a brilliant win and performance from Zidansek, who reaches her first Grand Slam quarter. She hung tough when she need to, then opened her shoulders at the key moments; if she keeps it up, she’ll have plenty for whichever of Vondrousova [20] or Badosa [33] she meets next.
Zidansek goes wide with a forehand down the line, handing Cirstea a point to claw back one of her two breaks; again, she finds a really good serve that allows her to make deuce, and seconds later she has her first match point....
Azarenka breaks back and is starting to hum; behold Pavlyuchenkova’s behind-ear tatt. On Lenglen, Cirstea has struggled through a hold, forcing Zidansek to serve for it at 5-1.
Pavlyuchenkova now leads Azarenka by a break, 3-1, while Zidansek powers through a hold that includes her first ace of a match that doesn’t have long left. At 0-5, Cirstea will now serve to stay in the competition.
Zidansek has hit a vein at precisely the right time, and from 40-15 she works a point for a double break, thanks in part to a double on deuce; she takes it, and suddenly this match is nearly over. Zidansek 7-6(5) 4-0 Cirstea
On Chatrier, Azarenka and Pavlyuchenkova have swapped breaks in their first two games while back on Lenglen, Zidansek does indeed get her break; she arranges three opportunities and takes the second, a lovely backhand down the line sealing the deal. Cirstea is in trouble. Zidansek 7-6(5) 2-0 Cirstea
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A loopy forehand drops long and suddenly, from 30-0, Zidansek is 30-40 – a terrific serve out wide quickly draws her level again, but Cirstea unloads some vicious forehands to earn a second break point; Zidansek saves it and then another before closing out. She’s played the big points well and that’s why she’s in front; I’d not be surprised to see her break in the next game. Zidansek 7-6(5) 1-0 Cirstea
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Again it’s Zidansek with the mini-break and at 3-5, Cirstea doesn’t have long to resolve it ... and she has even less time now, racing to the net, but when the ball’s banged at her she can only deflect it wide. Three set points it is, and though Cirstea saves the first with yet another winner, she then sends a forehand wide. That’s a tough set to lose because she was the better player; other hand, she’ll feel confident she’s got the game to win form here. Zidansek 7-6(5) Cirstea
Cirstea seems to be hitting it a bit harder than Zidansek, on a regular and on special occasions, a barrage of blows – the last of them a sensational forehand cross-court on the run – putting her in front. Before the match I fancied Zidansek, but that power differential is significant – for as long as Cirstea’s radar is operational. And there we go – she bangs a forehand down the line but catches the ball a little late, wiping it just wide. But she retrieves the mini-break immediately with some lovely hands and balance at the net. Zidansek 6(3)-(3)6 Cirstea
Cirstea gets 0-15 and will be vexed that she then nets a forehand return that drops into the slot. But she makes Zidansek play a low backhand right on the baseline that falls long, and the aroma of opportunity will be wafting through her nostrils. Zidansek, though, is having no such thing, her lateral movement on-point and facilitating a forehand winner punished down the line for 40-30. She can’t close out though, and Cirstea saves a succession of game-points on advantage before another backhand winner - there’ve been a few – raises her first set-point. Zidansek, though, delivers a gorgeous, nerveless forehand winner down the line – then another – and this is developing into a really good tussle. A big service winner down the middle, and we’ve got that breaker. Zidansek 6-6 Cirstea
Excellent from Zidansek, rattling through an easy hold, but then Cirstea does likewise and we might be just moving to that elusive point of both players playing well at the same time; if Zidansek can muster one more hold, we’ll get to examine that premise in a breaker. Zidansek 5-6 Cirstea
Cirstea holds to 30 – Zidansek is getting closer – but in 90 seconds she’ll serve under pressure, and who knows how that’ll pan out? Zidansek 4-5 Cirstea
Looking down the rest of the day’s play, Tsitsipas v Carreno Busta stands out – as does any match featuring the Greek musketeer – but Azarenka v Pavlyuchenvoka and Serena v Rybakina could also be good.
Zidansek and Cirstea are at different stages of their careers, the former 23 and the latter 31. But they’re a really good match for each other based on what we’ve seen so far, with Cirstea looking to have settled faster – she’s hitting beautifully from the back and showing decent enterprise at the net. Zidansek 3-4 Cirstea
Order of play
Chatrier
Azarenka [15] v Pavlyuchenkova [31]
Tsitsipas [5] v Carreno Busta [12]
Williams S v Rybakina [21]
Zverev [6] v Nishikori (night match)
**
Lenglen
Zidansek v Cirstea
Vondrousova [20] v Badosa
Garin [22] v Medvedev [2]
Davidovich Fokina v Delbonnis
Tamara Zidansek and Sorana Cirstea – both unseeded – swapped breaks in the first two games of their fourth-round match before Cirstea held. I’ve seen a fair of both over the last week, and really like how both have played, Zidansek especially – she’s dismissed Bianca Andreescu, the number six seed, and Katerina Siniakova, while Cirstea has ejected Johanna Konta and Daria Kasatkina. In other words, this should be good, and in the time I sopent writing the above, Zidansek held convincingly. Zidansek 2-2 Cirstea
Preamble
Morning all! We’re already underway on Lenglen, so let’s discuss what we’ve got coming up today in the course of enjoying our first match. On y va!
