Alcaraz says he’s “proud to get the win at the end”.
And that concludes our live coverage, thanks for reading, goodbye.
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Alcaraz beats Dzumhur! 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
Les jeux sont faits.
A fine, fine display from the Bosnian, and an under-par one from Alcaraz. Still, the men’s singles champion gets the job done, and will meet the 13th seed Ben Shelton in the fourth round.
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Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 5-4 Dzumhur
Hold the back page. Dzumhur breaks back, and will serve to attempt to level at 5-5.
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Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 5-3 Dzumhur
Alcaraz is a game away! Dzumhur seems to be struggling with that injury. Alcaraz serving for the match …
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Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 4-3 Dzumhur
Alcaraz holds. Can he get this done in four?
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Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 3-3 Dzumhur
The gutsy young Spaniard breaks back!
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Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 2-3 Dzumhur
Alcaraz pumps up the crowd after holding his latest service game.
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Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 1-3 Dzumhur
The world No 69 hangs on to his break of serve.
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Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 1-2 Dzumhur
The Spaniard is on the board in the fourth, but had to work for it.
Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 0-2 Dzumhur
Remarkably, the Bosnian saves three breaks points and goes on to open up a two-game lead after a deuce tussle. Looks like we’re going deep …
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Thanks Tom.
Dzumhur kicks off the fourth by breaking his illustrious opponent. He fancies this.
Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 0-1 Dzumhur
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Right, that’s the end of my stint for the day and our game-by-game coverage but Luke McLaughlin will be providing updates through to the conclusion.
Dzumhur is going to come under the microscope here if he wants this set. He looks nervous as finds the net on the first point on a regulation backhand, Alcaraz goes long, 15-15. Another miscue from Dzumhur one the backhand, this one wide and after being pulled around the court the Bosnian finds himself 15-40 down. Adversity suits him and despite a flukey Alcaraz net cord Dzumhur gets back to deuce. One set point goes for Dzumhur and then Alacaraz powers a fizzing winner cross-court for another chance at a break. He wastes it and then hands Dzumhur another set point with a forehand that goes long. This time Dzumhur can close it out and we’re going to a fourth set. Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 4-6 Dzumhur.
Bang, bang, outrageous dropshot retrieval, bang. Alcaraz hold. If tennis can be this easy for him why is he down a break? Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 4-5 Dzumhur.
Will this spark something in Alcaraz? It looks like it has as he digs deeper in the long rallies to earn a break back point. That one goes by but after a little tit for tat at the net he gets another. Dzumhur closes the door on that one with a wonderful one-two punch from the deuce court. Alcaraz wastes a third chance with a loose forehand on a Dzumhur second serve and is made to pay for it when his opponent closes out the hold. Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 3-5 Dzumhur.
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What a bizarre game from Alcaraz. Brilliance and sloppiness from one shot to the next as the Spaniard coughs up another break point. He saves that one with another powerful forehand at the end of a long rally but Dzumhur finally breaks the champion at the seventh time of asking with a dipping cross-court winner that dies at the feet of his rapidly encroaching opponent. Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 3-4 Dzumhur.
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Dzumhur is back on his feet after his on-court treatment and not looking hampered as he guesses right to read a cross-court Alcaraz backhand and feel a winner down the line. Having battled to 40-30, Dzumhur gets unlucky when attempting a dropshot as the ball skips off the line, but unperturbed by his misfortune the Bosnian pulls out an incredible reactive overhead swat to win the next point at the net then serve out the hold. Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 3-3 Dzumhur.
…which the Ukrainian cannot take, they are now heading for a tie-break.
We have a medical timeout on Philippe-Chatrier as Dzumhur gets some treatment but over on Simonne Mathieu, Svitolina has match point against Pera…
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Alcaraz serves up his fourth double fault of the match but the rest of his service game passes pretty much without incident, including a lovely dropshot to make it 40-15. Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 3-2 Dzumhur.
Out comes the trademark Alcaraz forehand again on the first point of Dzumhur’s service game, but the Bosnian maintains focus and reels off four straight points, including with some excellent work at the net, to hold. Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 2-2 Dzumhur.
Alcaraz screams “Vamos!” as he fires another forehand like a bullet into the advertising boards at the back of the court. That shot is violently destructive, but a point later Alcaraz goes for it again and misses long. Once more Dzumhur battles back to take it to deuce but then Alcaraz engages gear and two short points later has a 2-1 lead.
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In contrast, Dzumhur makes light work of his service game – love hold. Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 1-1 Dzumhur.
That’s a double fault from Alcaraz to start the third, the same way his opponent ended the second. No mistake on the forehand next point though, maybe Alcaraz will be tempted to blast through this set and save some of his legs for bigger battles? As I start to consider whether Dzumhur can stop the Spaniard if he really puts the hammer down, the Bosnian wins three straight points and gets another chance at a break. He doesn’t take that or the one presented to him by a wild Alcaraz volley. The champions finally comes through as he steers a forehand into the ad court. Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 1-0 Dzumhur.
Here’s that delightful Dzumhur dropshot from the second set, enjoy:
"Stealing his thunder!" 🌩
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) May 30, 2025
What a point from Damir Džumhur 😮💨👏#RolandGarros #tennis #RG25 pic.twitter.com/Aih07lPEyH
That is an absurd tennis shot from Alcaraz to go up 0-15 on the Dzumhur serve. The Spaniard pins his opponent into the corner to force up a high return and fakes a slam before drawing down his racket into a dropshot that uses the top of the frame. The pressure crank has been ratcheted up and Dzumhur’s surrenders the second set with a meak double fault on 15-40. Alcaraz is cruising now, up 6-1, 6-3.
Jim Courier says we’ve had a “buffet of brilliance” from Alcaraz so far. It’s hard to disagree with that as he races to a love hold and will crank up the pressure on Dzumhur’s serve to get an early close on this set. Alcaraz 6-1, 5-3 Dzumhur.
Dzumhur gets another easy hold. The Bosnian has settled himself since going down a break and is taking the ball earlier to great effect. Alcaraz 6-1, 4-3 Dzumhur.
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Dzumhur has now had four break points and won none of them. This time Alcaraz finds himself down 30-40 but arrows a forehand wide and finishes off the point with a controlled overhead. Alcaraz is not having it all his own way in this second set and he finds himself in a deuce battle to eventually earn a hold that takes more than seven minutes. Alcaraz 6-1, 4-2 Dzumhur.
On Simonne Mathieu, Svitolina has taken the first set by winning the tie-breaker. it’s currently 1-1 in the second with the American Pera serving.
Tiafoe beats Korda 7-6 (8), 6-3, 6-4!
The all-American clash is won by Tiafoe, who makes it into the third round at Roland Garros for the second time in his career.
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This is rare, Dzumhur gets a routine hold as he punches in a forehand winner. Alcaraz 6-1, 3-2 Dzumhur.
When Alcaraz get his wrists through a forehand it pierces the air, flying flat and hard over the net. It’s a superhuman shot. As is the latest dropshot at the net two points later to go up 30-15. Dzumhur has a highlight shot of his own, plucking an Alcaraz get that goes up into the Parisian night, shaping the slam but instead feathering a volley that deceives his opponent and draws a smile. It’s a short-lived reprieve and Alcaraz has a 3-1 lead two points later.
A double fault is the worst possible start for Dzumhur on the first point of his service game and he finds himself 0-40 down very quickly after that. A big serve down the middle saves one break point and the next goes outwide to get another back. Alcaraz eventually pounces on a second serve, coming up to the baseline and finding a return than his opponent can only put into the net. Alcaraz 6-1, 2-1 Dzumhur.
Alcaraz gets out to a 40-15 lead but a couple of sloppy errors and Dzumhur gets it back to deuce. The Bosnian earns another break point by curving a forehand around the the net post that Alcaraz can’t keep in play on his return. Similar to when facing break points in the first set, Alcaraz goes back to serve and charge to snuff out the danger and then eases away to get on the board in the second. Alcaraz 6-1, 1-1 Dzumhur.
Lovely bit of colour from the TNT commentary team, apparently Dzumhur has a couple of acting credits to his name. IMDB has him listed as starring in a 2007 film called Snipers Valley.
Dzumhur ends his barren run of games with a hold to kick-off the second set. Alcaraz 6-1, 0-1 Dzumhur.
Bit of news from the men’s singles. Arthur Fils has withdrawn with injury, giving his opponent Andrey Rublev a walkover into the fourth round:
Get well soon, Arthur 🧡#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/kIp8haqz2h
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2025
Ooft, Dzumhur won just 27% on his first serve in that set.
With 27 minutes on the clock Alcaraz has two set points and he only needs one. The reigning Roland Garros king opens up his body and finds the corner with another whippy forehand to tie up the first set 6-1.
There’s a little show of Alcaraz’s athleticism on the first point of the Dzumhur serve as the Spaniard chases down a backhand and send back a high, looping return that gets him back in the point and rattles his opponent into an error. Then, at 15-30, Alcaraz hammers three consecutive forehands that batter Dzumhur backwards until he’s passed. This set is over, another break sees Alcaraz lead 5-1.
Dzumhur is finding the odd return and get a forehand to go down by 40-15 but on the next point a short return is punished with a whipping forehand into the open court and Alcaraz has secured his break, he leads 4-1.
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Alcaraz breaks! The gulf in class becomes very apparent over five short points as Alcaraz seizes control of this first set. Dzumhur doesn’t do much wrong but can’t handle the pressure coming from the other side of the net and it’s almost a break to love, with Alcaraz only dropped point coming on a overturned line call at 0-40. Alcaraz 3-1 Dzumhur.
Updates from elsewhere, Tiafoe has won the second set to take a two-set lead against Korda and Pera v Svitolina is tied at 4-4 in the first.
For a man of such power, Alcaraz has lovely touch. The fires a serve wide and charges up to the net, Dzhumhur’s return is hard and into the body but Alcaraz cushions down a pillowy dropshot en route to a relatively straightforward hold. Alcaraz 2-1 Dzumhur.
Alcaraz punches a backhand cross-court to win one point and then it’s a dropshot to take the next, from 30-0 down it’s suddenly 30-30. Dzumhur holds though as he finds a pass next up and then Alcaraz drifts a forehand into the tramlines – 1-1.
Dzumhur shows he’s here to play as he passes Alcaraz with a lovely backhand winner that wrong-foots the Spaniard. The challenger earns two early break points as Alcaraz, down 15-30, miscues an overhead at the net. Alcaraz gets one back with a swooping, deep second serve and then back to deuce with a strong first serve out wide. Two swift points later and Alcaraz has a 1-0 lead.
Alcaraz, the defending champion, will serve.
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As Tiafoe seals another hold for a 5-2 lead, Alcaraz and Dzumhur emerge on to Philippe-Chatrier.
Tiafoe leads 4-1 in this second set and honestly it looks very easy for him at the moment.
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Shortly my attention will be switching over to the Alcaraz v Dzumhur match. Korda has now got himself on the scoreboard in the second set with a hold secured when Tiafoe got too hot with a backhand down the line. At 3-1 down, Korda cannot get anywhere near the Tiafoe serve right now.
That slip in the tie-break seems to have sent Korda reeling. He coughs up the first break of the match and from having looked like the man most likely he’s now staring down as 3-0 deficit in the second. Tiafoe has won 14 of the last 16 points.
Tiafoe has found his form with the serve. He holds to love in the first game of the second set, signing off with a swinging ace.
This is the only game on court right now as Shelton finished the job against Gigante, going 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. Bernarda Pera will be taking on Elina Svitolina, the 13th seed, very shortly on Simonne Mathieu.
That’s a silly and very costly mistake from Korda, who dumps a routine backhand into the net and Tiafoe seals the deal with a big serve down the middle that Korda can’t keep in on the return. After being under the cosh for most of that first set, Tiafoe takes the lead.
Tiafoe jumps out to 3-0 lead as he backs up the mini-break with two big serves that force Korda out of position and set up easy points. They swap serves through to 5-4 and then Korda gets back level with a rare visit to the net. Korda is forced to defend set point after Tiafoe bangs down an ace to make it 6-5. Korda replies with an ace of his own. These two are very evenly matched.
So it’s tie-break tennis for Tiafoe and Korda. An easy hold makes it 6-6.
Just a reminder, we’re less than half an hour from the resumption of Carlos Alcaraz’s campaign in the evening session.
Good timing from Tiafoe, who finally ups the pressure on Korda’s serve and earns a break point. An attempted charge on Korda’s second serve backfires though and two points later Tiafoe finds himself serving to stay in the set and force tie-breaker, it’s 6-5.
Altmaier has completed his win over Medjedovic, taking it 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
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Again Korda has Tiafoe under pressure on his serve. Tiafoe can’t get one in at the minute but at 30-30 Korda misses with an attempted pass down the line to bail out his opponent, it’s 5-5.
Shelton looks on course for a three-set win against Gigante. He has a break in the third set to lead 4-3.
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Medjedovic is serving to stay in the match against Altmaier. The German is up 5-2 in the fourth set.
Korda’s serve looks in beautiful rhythm as he bangs down his third ace. Tiafoe finds a beautiful return on his forehand wing but Korda is unfazed and sees out another hold. Korda 4-3 Tiafoe.
Korda eased through his service game and Tiafoe is definitely not getting it so easy. An ace just at the right time nudges Tiafoe ahead 40-30 but then he double faults. It’s a shortlived scare as Korda fails to capitalise. As you were, 3-3.
Seb’s older sister Nelly is currently also competing in a major. The world number one is currently T2 at -4 in golf’s US Women’s Open at Erin Hills with three holes left of her second round. What an outrageously talented family.
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Korda is making Tiafoe work for it in this service game. We’re over five minutes in this game now as the man in all blue as finally gets an error out of Korda to get over the line. All square 2-2.
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Bonsoir, dear readers. I’m back with news of Ben Shelton taking the second set against Matteo Gigante 6-3 on Simonne Mathieu. On Court 14, Hamad Medjedovic trails Germany’s Daniel Altmaier by two sets to one and they are on serve in the fourth.
Tiafoe is locked in a deuce battle with Korda … no he’s not! He smacks an ace down the middle and the score in the first set is: Tiafoe 1-1 Korda.
And with that, my work here is done. Back to you Tom.
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Note: Damir Dzumhur v Carlos Alcaraz, the No 2 seed in the men’s singles, is due to start at 19.15 BST on Philippe-Chatrier.
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*Tiafoe 0-1 Korda (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe takes his US compatriot to deuce, but Korda closes out the game and leads in the first.
I’m not here much longer, I don’t think, so NOW is the time to send me an email.
Tiafoe is yet to drop a set at this tournament: He’s beaten both Roman Safiullin and Pablo Carreño Busta in three.
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Shelton 6-3, 5-2 Gigante, Medjedovic 6-4, 3-6, 3-5 Altmaier are a couple of latest scores from the men’s singles.
Something appetising coming up now on Suzanne Lenglen in the men’s singles. Frances Tiafoe (15) against Sebastian Korda (23). They are warming up now. Allez!
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“It was a good match, after a few games,” Paolini says. “At the beginning I was a bit [laughs] not feeling really well … The conditions were a bit different.
“I’m happy with the win. Thank you for staying here and watching me.” The crowd applauds warmly.
Apparently, only Aryna Sabalenka has won more matches in grand slams than Paolini over the past two seasons. Is she surprised by that?
“It’s funny. So strange [laughs again]. I am feeling good, it’s an amazing court. You know, just enjoying being on this stage. It’s one of the most beautiful tournaments in the world. I don’t know, it’s a special place for me.”
Does she feel the love of the Roland Garros crowd?
“Yes, yes … Thank you very much guys … it’s special to play in front of you and to have your support … I feel lucky.”
What a great interview, what a star.
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Paolini beats Starodubtseva: 6-4, 6-1
The Ukrainian winds up a couple of big forehands in the final game and goes down fighting, but eventually dumps a shot into the net, and that’s the lot. Paolini is into the last 16. She made 24 unforced errors, described as her “B-Game” by the commentator. “She still got the job done.”
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Over to Chatrier. Paolini is on the verge against Starodubtseva. The Italian is serving for the match at 5-1.
Starodubtseva shows steel to save the first match point, and force deuce …
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“I expected a tough match,” says Rybakina. “I was ready. It’s quite hot, I played really late the last match. It’s a big difference in the conditions. But I am happy with how I managed today. Thanks everyone who came to support.
“I like it when it [the court and conditions] are fast. But it’s difficult to control the ball, too, so it’s a bit mixed. It helps for the serve … overall, I am really happy with the game, and the way I played today.
“I think I know who I am going to play next [the four-times champion Iga Swiatek] … since the draw is getting smaller, of course I know my next opponent, and I will try to do my best.”
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Rybakina beats Ostapenko! 6-2, 6-2
A textbook forehand winner down the line seals it for the Kazakhstani. That was a demoralising outing for the Latvian, who was thoroughly outclassed.
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“Ostapenko has raised her game considerably in the final set, but Rybakina has just had too much,” remarks Simon Reed on commentary. Match point …
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*Rybakina 6-2, 5-2 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)
It was a false dawn for the Latvian. Rybakina breaks again, with relative ease, and is now one game away from victory.
On Philippe-Chatrier, the fourth seed Paolini is a break up in the second set against Starodubtseva at 3-1 and also looking well set.
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Rybakina 6-2, 4-2 *Ostapenko (*denotes next server)
Huge heart from Ostapenko! She’s been getting bullied in the last couple of games but fashions a chance for a break back and takes it with a fine cross-court winner. She gees the crowd up as she celebrates, waving both hands above her head, and asking the fans for some energy as she battles against this fearsome opponent.
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*Rybakina 6-2, 4-1 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)
Ouch! Rybakina has seriously asserted herself there. She wins break points and has to wait an age for a bouncing defensive effort from Ostapenko after stretching the Latvian this way and that around the court. Rybakina waits, and waits, and then smacks an unerring smash down the line from the back of the court, giving her opponent no chance, and creating a double-break advantage at 4-1.
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Paolini has wrapped up the first set v Starodubtseva, 6-4.
Rybakina 6-2, 3-1 *Ostapenko (*denotes next server)
I was just about to say Rybakina is serving like a dream but here is a break-back point for Ostapenko at 30-40 … Rybakina, however, produces a power-packed serve out wide and then one down the middle, provoking a roar of frustration from her opponent. The Kazakhstani duly tidies up the game and it’s 3-1. That was a big, impressive hold from break-point down.
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Thank you Tom and bonsoir, everyone.
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Right, I’m off for a break but Luke McLaughlin is here to keep an eye on things. Take it away, Luke.
We’re still on serve between Paolini and Starodubtseva at 4-3 to the Italian. On Suzanne-Lenglen, Rybakina has wrapped up the first set 6-2, while Ben Shelton is on course to take a one-set lead against Gigante, the American leads 5-2.
Tim McInnerny has emailed in:
I wish I could comment on the action but as far as I can tell live action is only available on TNT this year, which is £30.90 per month. I’m not the only tennis fan furious with the authorities who have gone for the quick buck instead of thinking of the fans. Why is no one in the media complaining?
I can’t answer your question, I’m just a humble blogman, but I’m not sure this is a great media strategy for the French Open in the UK. Roland Garros is not exactly top of the public consciousness here so to only focus on the tennis fans who are willing to pay seems like a quick way to shrink your audience. If a Brit gets to the final there will be calls for someone to show it free-to-air.
Shelton has got out to a fast start against Gigante, taking a 3-1 lead. What a name Gigante is by the way. Matt
Finally Paolini gets a hold. She leads 3-2.
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Still no service holds between Poalini and Starodubtseva…
Another break of serve on Philippe-Chatrier. Can Starodubtseva make it count this time?
Rybakina has an early break in her match against Ostapenko, the Kazakhstani leads 3-1 in the first.
It’s not exactly packed on Philippe-Chatrier for the start of Paolini v Starodubtseva but those who are watching have seen the unseeded Ukranian get an early break. Paolini should be in good form after her exploits in Rome and quickly breaks back. We’re on serve at 1-1.
Jasmine Paolini, the fourth seed, is up next on Philippe-Chatrier. The recent Italian Open winner is taking on Yulia Starodubtseva of Ukraine. I’ll mostly be keeping an eye on that but also providing updates from Elena Rybakina v Jelena Ostapenko and Ben Shelton v Matteo Gigante on Simonne Mathieu.
With matches just getting underway, let’s head to my inbox as Ed Graham has emailed in:
About making women’s matches best of five (13:34): I’m sure this has been debated at length and I for one would love to see it. I think the accepted reason for not doing so is to do with scheduling at the major tournaments, as sometimes they barely have enough days as it is with rain delays and so on. To extend the majors beyond two weeks would be a big headache; so maybe it’ll happen once the venues have enough time, money and space to build all the extra courts they would need to get through the games in time.
They all seem to be expanding their grounds, so why not?
We have a bit of a lull in play now as Tommy Paul has beaten Karen Khachanov on Simonne Mathieu. The 12th seeded American eventually coming out on top 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9), 3-6, 6-3.
Rune beats Alys 4-6, 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2!
At one stage the Frenchman looked on course for victory but after more than three hours in the searing heat on Philippe-Chatrier Rune rattled through the fifth set to complete a comeback from two sets to one down.
Swiatek speaks!
“I’m happy that I was solid in the last game and not giving her free points. She used her chances and went for it every time I gave them to her. It was a great match, super entertaining, we both played nice. I’m happy with the performance,” says Swiatek in her on-court interview.
“I don’t mind the heat and on clay it gives the balls the extra bounce. It’s all about control and I kind of had to balance it today. It’s tricky when it’s like that on just one day like that, the first match I played was 20 degrees, even less, and now its 30. It’s not easy to adjust because the balls fly differently in the air. I am used to playing in any conditions, maybe not here as Roland Garros is usually rainy but last year for the Olympics it was super hot so I was ready for it.
“If you want to swing the same way in different in different conditions you must change something and it’s not good to change the way you play, so adjust the equipment for sure and go up with the tension on the racket.”
Swiatek beats Cristian 6-2, 7-5!
At 30-15 down Swiatek finds a dart of backhand into the corner and when Cristian sends a forehand long down the line the reigning champions gets a match point. Cristian goes aggressive and gets a reward but there was a hairy moment when she was forced to pluck an overhead out of the sun. Swiatek wants to wrap this up without a tie-break and the two trade blows as the game ticks over five minutes. Swiatek reads a Cristian second serve to earn another match point with a backhand taken on the rise. Cristian dumps a backhand into the net and gives Swiatek a hard-fought win.
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In the time this set has taken, Rune has forced fifth set on Philippe-Chatrier. The Dane won the fourth 7-5.
A graphic has just flashed up showing Swiatek’s first-serve percentage is down to just 50% in this set. It’s not the only reason she has struggled but it has allowed Cristian to go after the second serve a lot more. Again, it’s not fluent but Swiatek finds the hold and guarantees this set will go to a tie-break and gives her a shot on Cristian serve to close the match out. Swiatek 6-2, 6-5 Cristian.
Needing to hold to stay in the match Cristian finds some big first serves to make light work of reaching 40-15 but then a double-fault gifts Swiatek the momentum to get back to deuce. Another big first serve forces a Swiatek mistake and then Cristian bangs down an ace, it’s 5-5 in the second!
It has taken another tie-break but Popyrin, the 25th seed, has beaten Borges 6-4, 7-6 (13), 7-5 (7).
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After that wobble Swiatek looks dialled in now. Her body language is more positive as she sails through her service game with a love hold. Swiatek 6-2, 5-4 Cristian.
Now then, can Swiatek pounce? She gets up 15-30 before Cristian finds the net to cough up two break points. The first goes with a long forehand and on the second Cristian ups the power to snuff out the danger. Eventually Cristian gets the hold with a wonderful forehand down the line, which prompts a turn to the crowd and a request to pump up the volume. Swiatek 6-2, 4-4 Cristian.
On Simonne Mathieu, Khachanov has forced a fifth set against Paul, winning the fourth 6-3.
This one is more straightforward for Swiatek. After her previous two service games both went near or over the ten minute mark this time proceedings are wrapped up a little quicker as she drops just the single point. This set is already longer than the first, mind. Swiatek 6-2, 4-3 Cristian.
From down 15-30 Cristian ends up making a fairly routine hold. The crosscourt forehand to go up 40-30 in particular was a delight, wrong-footing Swiatek as she headed back to the centre of the baseline. Swiatek 6-2, 3-3 Cristian.
Cristian has really found her range on Swiatek’s second serve. An open stance drive down the line gives Cristian a 0-30 lead and when a loose forehand sails long she has two break points at 15-40. One is saved with a clever serve to Cristian’s backhand and Suzanne-Lenglen rises to its feet as Swiatek saves the second with the point of the match that saw both players sliding around to get the upper hand. The pressure is starting to show on Swiatek who yells at herself after handing Cristian a third break point. Another long rally ends in another save, before another long forehand hands the advantage back to Cristian with a fourth break point. Swiatek grinds out the hold in the game’s 11th minute but she is definitely the one looking less comfortable out there at the moment. Swiatek 6-2, 3-2 Cristian.
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Swiatek gets a chance when Cristian draws her into the net at 30-30 but the Pole’s sliding backhand goes long. Surely the slice would have been the shot with Cristian out of the picture? Instead we are still on serve. Swiatek 6-2, 2-2 Cristian.
I assumed Rune had wrapped up the third set against Halys but the Frenchman has produced a stunner, winning three games in a row to snatch it away 7-5. Halys is back in front, up to 2-1 in sets.
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Back on Swiatek’s serve and her forehand looks imperious but her backhand has not quite been as strong. It is one of those that goes wide down the line to give Cristian an 0-15 lead. Cristian then anticipates the wide serve, runs around it and powers a forehand cross-court to go up 0-30. Swiatek gets it back to 30-30 but then dumps a forehand long, what was I saying about how reliable that has been? Cristian’s first break point of the match doesn’t stick when she sends backhand long, but an errant backhand from Swiatek provides another chance. Again Swiatek is able to whip over a dangerous forehand and force an error.
The sun is clearly causing the Pole problems on her first serve as the game passes seven minutes. Swiatek digs deep, finally finds a first serve and when Cristian gets overly aggressive on the backhand the reigning champion gets her hold. Swiatek 6-2, 2-1 Cristian.
Swiatek gets an early break point on the Cristian serve at 30-40 but the Romanian finds some power to rally back, winning three consecutive points to shut the door. Swiatek 6-2, 1-1 Cristian.
Cristian forced Swiatek to go a little bit deeper on that first service game of the second set, but nothing the reigning champion could not handle, dropping just the single point. Swiatek 6-2, 1-0 Cristian.
A quick glance over to Philippe-Chatrier, where Rune is now serving for the third set against Halys, the Dane is 5-4 up. Paul has won the third set of his match against Khachanov on Simonne Mathieu. It went to a tie-break but the American edged that 9-7 to take a 2-1 lead in sets.
Another break of serve will give Swiatek the set. The fifth seed gets up 0-15, then a two points later wayward Cristian forehand takes it to 15-30. After a strong first serve ties it up at 30-30, Cristian’s first double fault of the match gives Swiatek a break point. No mistake here as Swiatek pounces on a second serve, powering a forehand deep which Cristian cannot deal with, sending it long. Swiatek wins the first set 6-2!
Swiatek is fully in control here. It’s a hold to love that’s finished off with Swiatek picking up a forehand off her toes then battering two huge forehands than ends the rally with Cristian trying to force it over the high part of the net from out wide. Swiatek 5-2 Cristian.
Cristian seems to be finding her feet on her serve now and gets out to a 40-0 lead thanks to a couple of overzealous returns but even then Swiatek isn’t lying down. The Pole gets it back to 40-30 but then goes long on what was not the most difficult of second serves from Cristian. Swiatek 4-2 Cristian.
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For the first time Swiatek comes under pressure on her serve. An errant Swiatek backhand gives Cristian a sniff at 30-30 but then the door is swiftly shut. Swiatek lands a couple of big first serves that leave little avenue for reply from her opponent. Swiatek 4-1 Cristian.
An epic second-set tie-break in the Borges v Popyrin match has finally concluded. The Australian missed out on the chance to serve for the set but has won the tie-break 13-11.
Swiatek is taking her returns on the Cristian serve very early. When it comes off it’s virtually unplayable but fortunately for the Romanian the radar slips a couple of times and she is able to get her first game on the board. Swiatek 3-1 Cristian.
On Philippe-Chatrier, Rune has won the second set 6-2, so he is tied at 1-1 now with Haly and they are on serve in the third.
The steep bounce of Swiatek’s groundstrokes is forcing Cristian to play on the up, which is proving difficult. That’s another rapid hold and Cristian has won just two points in those opening three games. Swiatek 3-0 Cristian.
This is worrying for Cristian. There was very little to indicate that the Romanian was even serving as Swiatek took complete control of the rallies from the baseline and pushed her opponent around. That’s a rapid break to love and if it carries on like this it will be over quickly. Swiatek 2-0 Cristian.
No problems for Swiatek in the first game. She quickly gets 40-0 up on the back of some solid serving and power from the back of the court. It’s not a hold to love thanks to a forehand error but that’s a routine hold. Swiatek 1-0 Cristian.
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Swiatek won the toss and will serve first. Cristian is coming into Roland Garros off the back of her second appearance in the final of a WTA Tour event. The Romanian was denied the Morocco Open title by Maya Joint.
Rune is still a break up in the second against Halys and Paul v Khachanov remains on serve in the third.
Cristian and Swiatek are just heading out on to Suzanne-Lenglen now. The Polish star is currently on a 23-match unbeaten run at the French Open.
The other men’s singles match taking place currently is on Court 14, with Portuguese Nuno Borges playing Alexei Popyrin. The Australian 25th seed is serving for the second set.
Rune has hit back early in the second set against Halys, taking break in the Frenchman’s first service game and then consolidating with an solid hold.
It’s all over on Suzanne-Lenglen where Musetti has wrapped up a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win over Navone. Next up there is Jaqueline Cristian of Romania taking on four-time French Open winner Iga Swiatek. When that gets underway I’ll be focus on providing game-by-game updates.
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Tommy Paul, the 12th seed, is playing 24th seed Karen Khachanov on Simonne Mathieu. They are currently tied at one set apiece, with the American Paul leading 2-1 on serve in the third.
Musetti has taken complete control on Suzanne-Lenglen. The Italian is serving for the match at 5-2 up.
On that last update, I have a solution that may open up a can of worms, but why not just make women’s matches best of five?
Mauresmo hits back at criticisms of men's match only night sessions
Amelie Mauresmo has defended the French Open’s policy of prioritising men’s matches over women’s in its prestigious night sessions. Roland Garros chiefs are once again under fire for snubbing women in the primetime slot under the lights on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
WTA stars Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur have this week criticised the schedulers for not showcasing women’s tennis, with the latter saying: “I don’t think they have daughters.”
But tournament director and former world number one Mauresmo insists men’s matches take priority because they are longer, giving spectators more value for money.
“We have one single match per night session. It hasn’t changed. Accordingly, we won’t change everything again,” she said. “The play time also is taken into consideration, potential play time, obviously because we can’t plan ahead, be it for women’s tennis or men’s tennis.
“But we have to take it into consideration as to the 15,000 spectators coming in for the night session.
“Since men’s tennis is played at the best-of-five sets, three sets will be played at a minimum. It’s complicated for us to do otherwise.”
From PA Media
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Popping back over to Philippe-Chatrier, our City of London gentleman Quentin Halys is causing Holger Rune some difficulty. In fact, it’s more than just difficulty. Halys (who I should clarify is French) has just won the first set 6-4 by converting the second of his only two break points.
Musetti now has a double break and looks on course for a four-set victory.
On Suzanne-Lenglen, Musetti has got a key break in the fourth set and now just held his serve to take a 3-1 lead. The Italian is currently up two sets to one against Navone, who appears to have come dressed as the clay court for this match. He has an orangey-pink top with matching tennis shoes. I fear if you were watching on a bad telly he’d just look like a pair of black shorts and a floating tennis racquet.
Coming in with a bit of Brit watch, ahead of his meeting with countryman Cameron Norrie in the third of the singles, Jacob Fearnley was in doubles action today. Unfortunately that journey is now over as Fearnley, playing alongside the Canadian Gabriel Diallo, went down in straight sets to second seeds Harri Helioevaara from Finland and his British partner Henry Patten, who won 6-2, 6-3.
Hello all and thank you John, they do put my backhand on a lot of the marketing material for Brighton these days so I’m glad someone spotted it.
And with that, I shall pass you over to Tom Bassam, his backhand the pride of Brighton.
To complete the women’s action from this morning/lunchtime, Liudmila Samsonova, looking rather patched up, has just beaten Dayana Yastremska in a Russia v Ukraine match. The score was 6-2 6-3 to the 19th seed Russian.
Halys is one game up. Other men’s games live at the moment – big serving Russian Karen Khachhanov is a set down but leading the second set against Tommy Paul, and Alexei Popyrin, the Australian is leading Portugal’s Nuno Borges, having taken the first set.
On Philippe-Chatrier, Holger Rune, the Danish 10th seed is taking on Quentin Halys, who sounds like a City of London gentleman from the 1920s, but is a 28-year-old Frenchman playing his second Roland-Garros.
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Musetti and Navone are perspiring heavily on a loud Suzanne Lenglen, after which Swiatek takes the stage. Musetti is trying to see out the fourth set, in front of a vocal crowd. Navone is back and firing after his first set showing. Musetti has to see out a second serve break point. Musetti, eventually sees it out, and leads 2-1 in sets after taking that set 6-3.
Sabalenka did a short interview. “I’m super happy with the win, Olga is a fighter and I knew it was going to be a fight. I really enjoyed playing against her, she played like a top 10 player and I’m sure soon she will be in the top 10. I enjoyed our battle and supper happy to be through this difficult match.”
“I played with the same tension but my team had half kilo up and half kilo down for which reason but I felt pretty good with the same tension and the ball flew much better. When it is colder, I have to lower my tension so the ball flies a little bit better so maybe I will have to adjust my racquet to another condition.”
It was hot out there and it meant the ball was flying truer and harder. Woe betide anyone facing her.
Amanda Anisimova is up next for Sabalenka, who is is headed for Qinwen Zheng in a the last 8.
Sabalenka beats Danilovic 6-2 6-3
That turned out harder than it looked in the first set but the world No 1’s power-hitting prevailed.
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Musetti has full control of his match with Navone, leading 4-1 in third, 2-1 up in sets.
At last, Sabalenka takes a break point from Danilovic and can now serve out for the match.
Ed Graham gets in touch: “Regarding the issue of scheduling men’s matches during the prime-time slots in the evening: could it have anything to do with the fact that the men play best of five sets and hence their matches are likely to be significantly longer? Assuming that the evening tickets are more expensive, might value for money (in terms of playing time rather than quality) be a factor?”
I’m sure that’s in the thinking but there’s good reason to complain.
Ansimova, the 16th seed, beats Tauson, the 22nd seed, 7-6 6-4>
Danilovic is a fighter; this second set is going with serve and she’s playing some lovelly stuff, including a backhand winner to confound Sabalenka.
Musetti has levelled the set with Navone. This will take a long time. Sabalenka meanwhile isn’t finding life easy from her opponent, Danilovic is playing some really nice stuff.
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Xheng goes through, having beaten Mboko 6-3 6-4. Amanda Anisimova, the American is involved in a ding dong with Denmark’s Clara Tauson. The first set went to Anismova 7-6, and it’s 3-3 in the second set.
Sabalenka claims the first set, having swiftly pulled her game back together after losing those two games.
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Danilovic, to her huge credit, stops the whitewash, and suddenly she’s won two games, including a break. They were rattling along at record pace there.
Sabalenka in awesome form, 4-0 up, and Danilovic is in imminent danger of being bagelled.
Zheng hasn’t found it as easy in the second set, she serving to go 5-3 up but the Canadian is dragging her heels. Navone eventually took that first set off Musetti and he celebrated by grabbing a break in the opening game of the second set.
Sabalenka is soon into her stride, and leading 3-0 over Danilovic.
Where Quinwen claimed the set, Navone and Musetti are slugging it out at 3-3, now 4-3 to the Argentine.
The Chinese 8th seed, Zheng Qinwen, is in full command of the first set over Canada’s Victoria Mboko, 5-3 up and serving for the set.
In early news, Navone has a break of serve on Musetti and leads 3-2 in the first set. It looks very warm in Paris, sun drenching the court.
Preamble
Back to Paris, and after a day of plucky Brits, it’s some big favourites who will take to the courts. Carlos Alcaraz plays this evening so the focus goes on the big-hitting women, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. Sabalenka gets us underway by playing Olga Danilović, while Swiatek will follow her by playing Jacqueline Cristian. That game follows Lorenzo Musetti on Suzanne-Lenglen, the Italian playing Mariano Navone of Argentina.
Plenty more to follow, including Frances Tiafoe against Seb Korda while Jasmine Paolini plays later this evening.
All the news and scores as they come in. Join us.
