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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Daniel Harris and Katy Murrells

French Open: Swiatek and Sabalenka advance, Paolini out – as it happened

Carlos Alcaraz stretches to a shot against Ben Shelton.
Carlos Alcaraz stretches to a shot against Ben Shelton. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Alcaraz attacks from the off on Shelton’s serve, getting the break back at the first opportunity, to 15, as Shelton skews wide. Having waited more than two hours to break, Shelton will be mad at himself that he conceded it without a fight. A quick hold from Alcaraz, and they’re back on serve, with the defending champ up 7-6, 6-3, 3-3. And Tiafoe is about to serve for the first set, leading Altmaier 5-3. I’m afraid that’s all from us for today, but do join us again tomorrow when the fourth round continues. A demain!

Updated

A brilliant point and smiles all around with Alcaraz leading 7-6, 6-3, 1-1, and Shelton serving at 15-0. These two are both so fun to watch, with Alcaraz the greatest showman of all. Sometimes the flashiness can be interspersed with moments of lost concentration, but there haven’t been many of those today. Shelton holds to 15, and just to totally disprove prove my point about Alcaraz’s focus, the Spaniard slides 30-40 down. And Shelton breaks for the first time to go 3-1 ahead! Game on? Perhaps it’s too soon to declare that, but it’s set on for sure.

Updated

Escape from Alcaraz, says Brad Gilbert.

Poor Shelton will be wondering what on earth happened there. There he was, still in with a strong chance of winning the second set, and then nine points later he finds himself two sets to love down. Totally ruthless from the defending champion. Meanwhile Tiafoe is channelling his inner Alcaraz on Suzanne Lenglen, having charged into a 3-0 first-set lead over Altmaier, who took out Tiafaoe’s fellow American, Taylor Fritz, in the first round.

That denouement may be coming sooner than expected, because suddenly Alcaraz accelerates to 0-15, 0-30, 0-40 on Shelton’s serve, courtesy of a couple of ferocious forehands. Shelton steadies himself on the first break point, but is rocked on the second, as Alcaraz breaks for the first time! And Alcaraz serves the set out to love to lead 7-6, 6-3, sealing it with a fizzing forehand down the line!

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A lone “let’s go Shelton, let’s go, let’s go Shelton, let’s go” from the crowd with Alcaraz serving at 7-6, 3-3, 40-15. It doesn’t do the trick, as Alcaraz holds to 30 with a forehand winner. After the dramatic start to the set, these two are going about their business on serve, before we reach the second-set denouement …

Updated

Up next for Lenglen: Frances Tiafoe (15) v Daniel Altmaier.

So the first women’s quarter-finals are now set:

Sabalenka (1) v Zheng (8)
(13) Svitolina vs Swiatek (5)

There are shades of Rafa with Shelton’s sleeveless top, bulging biceps, lefty game and the way he tends to his bottles. Now he just needs an all-action comeback. He’s certainly pushing on Alcaraz’s serve in the opening game of the second set, and he has break point when Alcaraz throws his racket to get to the ball and makes the volley – but sportingly concedes the point after admitting his error. Alcaraz then decides to copy the belligerence of Anisimova by saving six break points in total – before holding. It’s Alcaraz who – somehow – leads 7-6, 1-0. Make that 1-1 after a hold from Shelton.

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Sabalenka beats Anisimova 7-5, 6-3

Sabalenka, serving at 7-5, 5-3, 40-15, must be wondering what she has to do to finish off Anisimova. The seventh match point disappears too, but finally Sabalenka gets the job done with a backhand winner. Admirable fight from Anisimova at the end, but it’s Sabalenka, the top seed, who goes through to her third Roland Garros quarter-final, where she’ll face Zheng Qinwen, the Olympic champion. Looking forward to that one.

While all this has been going on, Sabalenka has motored through the second set against Anisimova, and has match points at 7-5, 5-2, 15-40 on Anisimova’s serve. Sabalenka misses the first with a wayward return – and Anisimova saves the second with a backhand winner. Another MP comes and goes. And a fourth. And a fifth! Sabalenka cries out. But she’s still got plenty of breathing space in this match, even after letting a sixth slip away. Anisimova holds after 11 minutes, but it’s surely delaying the inevitable …

9-8 Alcaraz, when Shelton shanks well wide. And, crucially for Alcaraz, this set point is on his serve – unlike the first. Alcaraz repeatedly goes to Shelton’s backhand, before working the space and firing beyond the American’s forehand wing! Alcaraz wins a set that was Shelton’s for the taking, and while it’s only the opener, it’ll be a long way back for Shelton from here.

Updated

… Shelton edges to 7-6 … a third set point … Alcaraz is grunting loudly, hitting hard and true, and then shows delicate touch to finish the point at the net with a backhand volley. And he’s screaming when he gets his first set point as Shelton nets! So 8-7 Alacaraz … and this time it’s Shelton’s turn to come forward and settle matters. 8-8 …

So Alcaraz is serving at 4-5, and the left-hander Shelton absolutely rips a forehand past a stumbling Alcaraz! Two set points for Shelton … Alcaraz saves the first on his own serve, but the second is on Shelton’s. And Shelton smacks into the net! How costly will those two points prove to be for the American? This first set is surely more important for him to win …

Look here! Shelton gets the first mini-break and leads 3-1. Make that 4-1. Alcaraz regroups for 4-3 – but Shelton has the next two serves on his racket, and if he wins both, he’ll have set points. 5-3 … and Alcaraz gets the mini-break back with a wonderful point of back and forth, the best of the match, which Alcaraz takes with a volley that just clips the sideline!

Shelton is doing exactly what Brad Gilbert asked of him, keeping his side of the scoreboard ticking over with a sixth hold for 6-5. Given Alcaraz’s rapid success, holding four grand slam titles already, it’s easy to forget these two are actually the same age, 22. So this isn’t quite Alcaraz v the young pretender. Alcaraz holds too, to 15, and we’ve got ourselves a tie-break.

It’s been a good tournament for the Americans in Paris, with eight players through to the fourth round on the men’s and women’s sides, Shelton and Anisimova included, the most combined for 40 years. But while Shelton is taking Alcaraz the distance in the first set, with the pair locked at 5-all, Anisimova is in danger of falling away against Sabalenka, at 7-5, 1-0 and break point down. Anisimova nets and furiously chucks her racket on to the clay.

Updated

A second set point for Sabalenka at 6-5, 30-40 on Anisimova’s serve, to add to the one she had at 5-3 on her own serve. A quick cross-court exchange … and Anisimova’s forehand flumps into the net. Sabalenka withstands the American fightback and has the first set on the board, 7-5.

Updated

Back to Alcaraz v Shelton, where Alcaraz is serving at 3-4, 30-0, having missed a break point in the previous game. 30-0 turns into 40-15, and then game after a smart drop-shot. 4-4.

Updated

Anisimova holds to claim three games on the spin. It’s 5-all. And she has two break points at 15-40 to make it four. Sabalenka is screaming in relief after an ace on the first break point and a missed return on the second. Another ace gives Sabalenka advantage, but Anisimova has her eye in now, and her deep hitting allows her to step forward and whack away the short ball. Deuce. Advantage Sabalenka. Jeu Sabalenka for 6-5. She has herself at least a tie-break.

Alcaraz is serving at deuce, trailing 3-2, and holds from there. Shelton, who’s had an up-and-down year, the highs being a run to the Australian Open semi-finals and Munich final, came through a late night five-setter in the first round, but benefitted from a walkover in round two and won in straight sets in round three, so he’s got plenty in the tank for this match.

Sabalenka is serving for the first set at 5-3. At 15-all, the Belarusian has to dig the ball out of the clay, but hits long. 15-30. A viciously spun second serve makes it 30-all … and it should really be set point, but Sabalenka’s drop shot doesn’t have enough depth, Anisimova gets to it and Sabalenka nets the volley. 30-40, break point … and Sabalenka decides now’s the time to send down an ace. After Sabalenka spurns a set point Anisimova gets a second break point … and the American breaks as she rams a forehand at the feet of a helpless Sabalenka! They’re back on serve with Sabalenka leading 5-4.

Updated

Alcaraz v Shelton has the potential to be another Sunday cracker … and if it was on a hard court I’d give Shelton a decent chance of causing Alcaraz real problems … but on the red dirt and at Roland Garros, with Alcaraz the defending champion, I think Alcaraz will have a little too much. But it’s going to be fun finding out.

Updated

As for Carlitos, he’s pushing at 1-1, 30-all on Shelton’s serve. A serve bomb and smash combo gets Shelton to 40-30. And the American holds when he finishes a much longer exchange, a 17-shot rally, with a backhand winner. It’s Shelton leading 2-1 on serve.

An early chance for Sabalenka, the top seed, to break, at her advantage on Anisimova’s serve. Just wide from Anisimova and Sabalenka gets the breakthrough. And then backs up the break to love with some clean, clinical hitting for 4-1. Sabalenka is such a formidable frontrunner and already this looks to be a tall, tall task for Anisimova, the American 16th seed.

Updated

Thanks Daniel. Bit of an unscheduled takeover, this, so it may take me a few minutes to catch my breath. Likewise for the spectators on Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen after Swiatek’s and Zheng’s absorbing wins. But the players wait for no one, and Sabalenka v Anisimova and Alcaraz v Shelton are already under way.

This has been a brilliant day so far, Paolini-Svitolina and Swiatek-Rybakina playing matches as good as anything we’ve seen so far with the promise of much more to come – both right now, and for the rest of the tournament. My watch, though, is over, so I’ll see you soon – here’s Katy Murrells to guide you through the next bit of fun.

Updated

Next on Chatrier: Ben Shelton (13) v Carlos Alcaraz (2)

Swiatek is laughing now; she wasn’t earlier. The first set felt like playing Jannik Sinner she says and she didn’t have much hope. But she kept at it and by the end was playing her game, so she’s “super-happy”.

The plan was to play with more top-spin than usual but she didn’t have room to put it into practise until the second set because Rybakina was so close to the lines. She thinks both players played “pretty amazing” so it gives her a lot that she’s through – she doesn’t know who’s next, guessing “Jasmine”, but then remembers she saw the match and praises Svito as a great fighter for whom every point “means life or death”. It means a big challenge, everyone left is playing great, so she’ll focus on herself and be ready.

Iga Swiatek (5) beats Elena Rybakina (12) 1-6 6-3 7-5

A brilliant match won by an amazing champion. Swiatek punishes one final forehand, leaping and prancing in delight. Rybakina played tennis as good as you’ll see in set one but couldn’t sustain it, and bit by bit, Swiatek insinuated herself into proceedings. Next for her: Elina Svitolina. Don’t mind if we do!

Updated

Successive forehands to the same forehand corner save one match point; Rybakina is not ready to depart…

Big serve, big forehand, colossal putaway; 15-0. Rybakina, though, isn’t finish, mashing a forehand winner down the line, Swiatek impassive. She’s so focused my brain hurts, and another quick point, this time finished with a stutter-step swing-volley, means 30-15 … and a netted return 40-15. The champ has two match points!

Dear, oh dear, oh dear. Down 15-30, Rybakina plays a disastrous drop that’s got far too much on it. Swiatek, killer that she is, gobbles it up, then a tame netted forehand means she’ll shortly serve for the match! I’m in awe: at 1-6 0-1 with a break, she looked done for, but she said not today and here we are. What does Rybakina have left?

Next on Lenglen: Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Amanada Anisimova (16).

Updated

Into to quarters for the first time, a delighted Zheng doesn’t know what to say; Swiatek holds to love. Mentally, she is something else – she’s not impervious to nerves, not at all, but her desire is a personality all of its own.

Qinwen Zheng (8) beats Liudmila Samsonova (19) 7-6(5) 1-6 6-3

The marathon is over. next for Zheng: Anisimova or Sabalenka.

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Now it’s Rybakina down 15-30, and error presents break point … and just as happened last game, a double converts it. Or not! the umpire comes to check the mark, Swiatek walking back to her chair, and decides the ball was good! The champ, of course, simply cannot contain her mirth at this development, all the more so when Rybakina closes to deuce. Swiatek though, isn’t going away and down advantage, she backs up a fine return with a forehand winner. This is great stuff, two brilliant players giving it absolutely everything, and when Rybakina serves out, at 5-4 she’s a game away from the last eight. Pressure for Swiatek while, on Lenglen, Zheng breaks for 5-3 and serving at 40-30 has match point…

Rybakina reaches 15-30 then, serves a short serve, annihilates a backhand return cross-court for two break-back points. In the next rally, though, Swiatek makes her hit one more shot, a forehand … and it goes into the net. For all the good it does her! A double at the worst possible moment and we’re back on serve at 4-4 in the third! Meantime on Lenglen, Zheng has broken for 4-2 in the decider.

Updated

A glorious backhand down the line gives Swiatek 0-30, then Rybakina can’t get her feet around a decent return; 15-40, and this might just be the match right here. Rybakina then swings a backhand into the net, and somehow the champ is in front for the first time at 4-3 in the third. No one wants to win more.

…yup, from there Swiatek secures a crucial hold and we’re at 3-3 in the third, not a clue who might prevail. Rybakina has the bigger weapons and is perhaps playing the better, but Swiatek wants to lose less.

Swiatek overhits a forehand and Rybakina has 0-30, so she buggy-whips a forehand from the corner that breaks the sideline on the other side; brilliant. Rybakina, though, does similarly, and after a check on the mark, it’s confirmed: she has two break points. She burns the first, though, netting a forehand, then has the second confiscated, Swiatek finding a first serve before finishing on the forehand. On deuce, though, she overhits … but on advantage so does Rybakina. That’s a significant and unnecessary oversight…

It’s not surprising Rybakina couldn’t maintain the level she played at in set one – I’m not sure anyone could – but if she serves well, the match will come down to a point or two. And what a match it is, the standard the highest I’ve seen in this tournament, and excellent play from Swiatek takes her fro 30-0 to 30-all. Rybakina, though, finds a wonderful backhand, swiped cross-court, to make 40-30 then Swiatek, having done all the hard work, rushes in to dump a smash from on top of the net. She’s disgusted with herself and trails 3-2; on Lenglen, Zheng and Samsonova are 2-2 in the third.

Swiatek is playing with much more confidence now, her footwork and forehand both on point. But at 40-15, Rybakina nails an inside-out backhand return to make things interesting … so the champ coaxes a backhand winner down the line and to 2-2 we go.

A hold apiece and Rybakina leads 2-1 in the third; Samsonova and Zheng are locked at 1-1.

Rybakina makes 30-all on the Swiatek serve but the champ creams a forehand winner on to the sideline then puts away another to level the decider at 1-1.

An important hold for Rybakina, to 15. She leads 1-0 in the third and if both players are now at it, we’re in for a treat. Hell, we are even if they’re not.

Updated

It doesn’t come easily, Samsonova forced to save two break points at 15-40, but she eventually serves out for a 6-1 set. She and Zheng will now also play a decider.

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Rybakina creates an opportunity to take 0-15 but at the net, doesn’t hit the corner, allowing Swiatek to pass her; from there, the champ serves out for a 6-3 set and as streaky a match as you’ll see is going to a decider.

Rybakina isn’t hitting with same consistency now but Swiatek is also giving herself a little more time, standing further back to receive. She can’t secure a second break, though, so at 1-6 5-3 will now serve for set two. On Lenglen, Samsonova is doing similarly at 6-7 5-1.

I nip off for a comfort break and of course, during that time, Swiatek breaks. She leads 4-2 in the second set and, bit by bit, has clawed her way into a match that she looked to be out of. she quickly consolidates and is a now a game away from forcing a decider. Her ability to stay calm under pressure is quite something.

Samsonova, meanwhile, has upped it. She breaks and consolidates to trail Zheng 6-7 3-0.

Goodness, Swiatek raises a third advantage … then jiggers it with a third double. Rybakina then catches all of a return to give herself a breaking opportunity, and the champ will be spewing if she converts. But a terrific serve allows a forehand winner, Rybakina then nets when up advantage for the second time, and from there, Swiatek closes out for what could be a crucial hold. She is absolutely nails.

Samsonova saves five break points before holding at the start of set two to trail 6-7 1-0; Swiatek puts everything into a backhand after another weapons-grade Rybakina forehand earns break point; to deuce we go.And though, on advantage, a double restores deuce, she again unloads, this time on the forehand … then sends down another double.

Now then. Serving at 30-all, Rybakina swipes wide, and can Swiatek convert her first break point of the match? Ahahahaha, Rybakina smokes an ace into the corner … but then nets an approach, no longer so hot. But she lands another gigantic serve, follows it with an approach to the corner … only to mistime her leap for the simplest of pat-aways, she sticks it into the net, and we’re back level at 2-2 in the second! The champ will not relinquish without a ruckus!

On Lenglen, a 78-minutes set goes the way of Qinwen Zheng, 7-5 in the breaker. Real talk, it’s hard to pay attention given the brilliance of what we’re seeing on Chatrier. Swiatek, though, holds to trail 1-6 1-2. Little steps…

A love consolidation means eight points in a row for Rybakina, who leads 6-1 2-0. There’s a cheery ease to her swing that’s a joy to behold, the slowness of the clay as irrelevant to it as Swiatek.

ZE

Samsonova cedes then restores the mini-break at 4-2, then loses it again at 4-3; on Chatrier, Rybakina is still over Swiatek, a venomous forehand down the line giving her 0-40 and she’s so deeply ensconced in the zone it’s funny. Unless you’re the mystified champ, powerless to stem the onslaught. A double hands over the break and at 1-6 0-1, she is in deep: if Rybakina maintains her level or close to it, it’s hard to see how Swiatek can stop her, the power too intense to combat.

…then nets a first serve and, when her second delivery sits up, Swiatek doesn’t hesitate, slapping it down the line for deuce. So Rybakina simply turns up the power again, a T-serve backed up by a flat backhand that zones over the high part of the net for a clean winner; a service-winner follows, and that concludes a 6-1 set. Rybakina won’t have played many, if any, better. On Lenglen, meantime, Samsonova and Zheng are playing a first-set tiebreak, the former taking an immediate mini-break for 1-0.

Ooh, up 40-15, Rybakina sends down a double; pressure….

Elina Svitolina, though.

Swiatek has found a bit more on her forehand through this game but she can’t string good points together, burning advantage with a weak second serve. An ace, though, restores game point, and when Rybakina unloads the suitcase at a second serve, the ball flies wide, so the champ is on the board at 1-5 in the first.

This by far the best set i’ve seen Rybakina play on clay and Swiatek just can’t cope with her power. At 0-30, she does move well to send a forehand winner down the line, but at 15-40 waiting to receive, Rybakina looks to be almost smiling; I bet she’s shocked by how well she’s playing and how ill-equipped Swiatek looks to handle her. Swiatek, though, is not just the champion but a champion, forcing herself to deuce then advantage … but a double ups the tension while on Lenglen, Samsonova couldn’t serve out, so we’re back level at 5-5 in the first.

Also going on:

Oh, and Samsonova breaks Zheng for 5-4. Oh, and Rybakina holds for 5-0. If these matches go with those currently leading, I’ll be 0-4 for predictions.

Rybakina collars a forehand for advantage then shows she’s hands as well as power, flicking back a drop then slamming a backhand winner down the line for the double break! Down 0-4, the champ is getting steamrolled!

Updated

Zheng breaks back immediately for 4-4 and Rybakina consolidates for 3-0. If she can maintain her level – and, as I type, she punishes a second serve with a backhand winner for 40-30 – the champ has a problem.

Swiatek nets for 0-40, Rybakina’s hard, flat hitting looking nasty. And shonuff she thrashes hard from the back to force the error, which gives her a 2-0 lead. She’s come out firing.

Serving at 3-3, Zheng finds herself down 0-40, so ups the pace on a backhand cross and saves the first break point as a consequence. But a forehand down the line from Samsonova is too good and, at 4-3, she takes control of set one. On Chatrier, Rybakina leads 1-0 and, at 0-30, has a chance to break…

Elina Svitolina, though. Cards on the table, I never, ever thought she’d get as good as she has, and doing so after maternity leave and given the stress of Russia’s assault on Ukraine? I am in awe. She may never win a major, but she is still an icon of our time, a lesson in how to be a human.

Rybakina is ready to serve, and … play.

It’s not easy to see how Rybakina beats Swiatek at Roland Garros; Swiatek’s monomania is borderline psychotic, in the best possible way, hearing her speak almost terrifying. Without a title since winning this one last term, she’s played superbly so far and, though Rybakina hits it beautifully, I don’t know if she can move well enough or find the angles she’ll need to win.

We’re under way again on Lenglen. It’s Samsonova 2-2 Zheng; let’s take a closer look at it now we’re not snowed with activity elsewhere.

Next on Chatrier: Elena Rybakina (12) v Iga Swiatek (5).

Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten (2) beat Rohan Bopanna and Adam Pavlasek 6-2 7-6(5)

A terrific win for the double grand-slam champs, garnished with some minor dancing from Heliovaara after match point was secured. Next for them: Harrison & King, the number nine seeds.

What an enjoyable match that was. I love both of those players – how could anyone not? – and Svitolina is one of those I regularly write off, along with John Higgins, Raymond van Barneveld and Chris Woakes, who regularly makes me look silly. I must say, I didn’t expect Paolini to drop as she did, but because she plays such a big game, if her confidence saps, the margins are small enough to go against her.

Svitolina can’t believe she won and her head “is still in the match in a big bottle”. Paolini was playing well but she stayed composed and “here I am in the next round.”

She had to be aggressive, stick to the plan and take the small opportunities to take a second set decided by one or two points, then played really well in the third.

Asked about her husband, she says the try and draw inspiration from each other and the way they fight on court. When it’s not your day, you have to fight for the small opportunities, especially ina grand slam when everyone’s playing well.

Finally, she says she’ll let her coach watch Swiatek v Rybakina as she relaxes, speaking to her daughter and getting some love from Gael, then tomorrow she’ll practise and work on her tactics for the next match.

Elina Svitolina (13) beats Jasmine Paolini (4) 4-6 7-6(6) 6-1

Elina Svitolina personifies heart. She hung in there when Paolini looked irresistible, then grew as her opponent shrunk. Next for her: Swiatek or Rybakina; next for Paolini: pain, hurt, regret.

Updated

Paolini goes long, and Svitolina has match point! Who predicted this half an hour ago?

A forehand down the line, swiped wide, takes us to 30-all, then Svitolina, a little too eager, slaps a forehand long; Paolini, though, can’t capitalise, netting for deuce.

Updated

Down 0-15, Svitolina plunges an ace down the T then, as Paolini plays too safe with an approach, finds the pass for 30-15. She’s two points away…

A loose Paolini forehand gives Svitolina 15-30, then one that drops just wide hands over two points for 5-1. Two forehand errors, though, take us to deuce, and this is getting tense now. But Svitolina, then lands a forehand on to the chalk, Paolini can’t respond, and a forehand larruped wide with a hint of desperation, means Svito will now serve for the match at 5-1 in the third.

Not so fast! Paolini makes 30-40, Svitolina nets a forehand, and that’s one break back at 1-4 in the third.

Paolini looks a little down on herself – understandably, but Svitolina’s refusal so to do is a major reason we are where we are. Still, at 30-all, an unforced error from the Ukrainian hands over game point – that was a bad mistake to make given the circumstances – and we wind up at deuce. Paolini, who’s been chuntering to herself, then overhits a forehand, and up advantage, Svitolina again opens shoulders to punish an inside-out forehand winner, at 4-0 in the third, this match is surely finished as a contest. If so, Paolini will feel ill for a long time.

Updated

Paolini makes 30-40 but doesn’t move her feet before returning and the break-back chance evaporates, then a booming body-serve means she faces advantage. And from there, Svitolina, on something of a roll, closes out for 3-0 in the third; this match is a fantastic advert for the importance of mental strength but also for the fickle nature of this thing of ours, the scoring system allowing things to change with little to no warning.

Email! “Svitolina is an example of how sport would be if it was played ‘on paper’,” says Shreyas Eswaran. “Reached the quarters 9 times in GS but never reached the final. Never seems to be able to outgun the big stars but never loses to the relative ‘riff-raff’ of Grand Slams. Just consistently top 10-ish level year after year. Remarkable in some regards, but also kind of tragic.”

And yet players nowhere near as good as her have won slams in recent years. If she does win one, and I imagine we’d all love to see it, I doubt it’s in Paris, but you never know.

Next on Lenglen: Liudmila Samsonova (19) v Qinwen Zheng (8).

In the doubles, Heliovaara and Patten won the first set playing beautifully; they now lead Bopanna and Pavlasek 6-2 2-3.

Svitolina, man. She makes 15-40 and though Paolini finds an ace, an inside-out forehand muscles on to the sideline, and she leads 2-0 in the third! She should’ve lost 10 minutes ago!

Updated

Paul, through to his first Roland Garros quarter, is a happy man. He’s been playing long matches, so to get through in straights “felt really good”.

His team have been doing a great job getting him ready to play, he adds, then thinks he’s free to go only to learn that there’s another question coming. But he’ll not be doing much celebrating tonight as he’s got to recover., though he does like the restaurants. Finally, he congratulates the crowd on Paris’ Champions League win and off her goes, delighted to be staying another couple of days.

Paolini might be relieved she’s not serving first in set three as the disappointment of losing two could easily be distracting; she should be celebrating in the locker room by now and she knows it.

However, she remains the better player with the bigger weapons, so should still win … but as I type, Svito holds for 1-0 in the third, and she’ll feel she’s got the more solid mental game. Expect her to attack when Paolini serves in a second.

Tommy Paul (12) beats Alexie Popyrin (12) 6-3 6-3 6-3

A sonning-off if ever I’ve seen one. Popyrin couldn’t hit enough forehands to make this close because Paul was far too canny not to ruin his backhand. Next for him: a bloody rest. And next after that: Alcaraz or Shelton.

A serve down the T, a big forehand, and, somehow, Svitolina has pilfered breaker and set to deliver us our decider! She is such a competitor, and I can’t wait to enjoy what happens next!

Oooh, Paolini drops long on the forehand and now it’s Svitolina with set point, on serve at 6-5…

Svitolina has so much about her, a big forehand allowing her in to despatch a volley, and we’re at 6-6, match point saved!

A dreaded “rally ball” from Paolini offers Svito an opportunity, but she nets for 5-5 and is now an error away from facing match point. And there it is, a netted backhand, that means Paolini, who’s won five of six points from 1-4 down, now has a match point on serve; on Lenglen, Paul will also serve for the match at 6-3 6-3 5-3.

Brilliant from Svitolina, upping the pace on the forehand to switch momentum in a rally, and when she finishes it with another, at 5-4 the set is on her racket. Who, apart from Paolini, doesn’t want to enjoy another set of this?

Svitolina makes 4-1 but then can’t control a backhand, and at 4-2 she tamely nets; I fear those errors will be costly.

Immediate mini-break for Svitolina when Paolini frames a forehand, but then assuming the Italian will move out of the corner with the court open, she looks for the vacated space only to find it still occupied. 1-1 it is, then Paolini surprisingly nets a forehand, handing Svitolina the advantage once more at 1-3.

Serving to stay in the match, Svitolina opens with a double, but Paolini then strays long for 15-all and wrong-footing forehand winner takes her to within two points of a breaker. It seems almost banal to say so, but she looks a better player when she’s aggressive, hitting more winners, problem being she also makes more errors so hands over more free points. Or, put another way, in order to win she has to play Paolini’s game, but doesn’t play it as well as Paolini does.

Anyroad up, she does superbly to monster forehands that seal the hold, and here come the tiebreak…

Paolini holds to 15 in short order and again, even if she loses this set on a breaker, you’d still back her to find a way to win.

Svitolina is such a competitor, and up advantage, she swats a terrific backhand cross-court for a winner that levels us up again in set two at 5-5.

Updated

Paolini’s commitment to attack is, for want of a a better description – is there a better description? – cool as. Svito tries matching her but she’s not as natural and when she strays long, at 15-30, she faces two match points. Dare she maintain the aggression? Absolutely. She saves the first when Paolini nets, the second when she swipes wide, and that’s deuce; on Lenglen, Paul breaks, consolidates, and at 2-0 3-0, he’s won five games on the spin.

Excellent from Svitolina, her forehand making 0-15, then at 15-all Paolini nets. She takes her time before serving, collecting herself then alternating shots to opposite corners only to net a forehand for 15-40. And when she can’t put away an overhead, facilitating another forehand winner shortly afterwards, we’re back on serve at 5-4 in set two.

On Court 14, Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara, Wimbledon and Aussie Open champs in the men’s doubles, have just started against Rohan Bopanna and Adam Pavlasek; on Lenglen, Paul has two set points at 6-3 5-3 15-40. Popyrin saves the first with a brutal forehand winner, but then Paul nails a forehand on to the sideline for a 2-0 lead; and while that’s going on, Paolini breaks Svitolina to love and at 6-4 5-3 will now serve for the match…

Paolini goes long with a forehand, just, then at 15-all, Svitolina opens her shoulders to paste an inside-out forehand into the corner. And, though she doesn’t do enough when offered a second serve, a long rally ends when Paolini nets; two break-back points. A monstrous forehand followed by a swing-volley saves the first, but the next one is long and we’re back on serve in set two at 6-4 4-3 Paolini.

Better from Svito, who holds to 15 and, knowing she’s running out of time, will surely attack Paolini’s serve now. Can she stand further into court, to take the ball earlier, on the rise?

Yup, Paolini holds easily for 6-4 4-1 and there’s a strong sense of over about this one now.

Back on Lenglen, Paul saves another break point, and at 6-3 4-2 his superiority is pronounced.

Trouble for Svitolina. At 30-all, a short ball invites the backhand pass down the line, duly delivered, then a weak second serve invites Paolini into the point, she swipes a forehand long, and trails 4-6 1-3. She did break twice in the first set and the Italian’s serve is probably the weakest aspect of her game, but everything else is so good and functioning so well that its hard to see a way she doesn’t take this.

Paolini is relentless in her commitment to attack, heavy forehands punctuated with well-disguised drops. Svitolina can win this, but she won’t create as many opportunities because she doesn’t have the same variety and creativity. The Italian leads 6-4 2-1.

On Chatrier, we’re on serve at 1-1 in set two, Paolini having taken the first; on Lenglen, a double from Paul means he now faces two break points. So he attacks the backhand, again, makes deuce, and from there, serves it out. Popyrin just can’t hide his major weakness well enough for long enough. Paul leads 6-3 3-1.

Updated

Paul might need a quick match here and he’s doing all he can to bring it about, breaking Popyrin then racing through a consolidation, sealed with a nails forehand down the line. He’s relentlessly attacking the backhand and so far, the Australian has no reply.

Svitolina saves it but then tamely nets; this time, Paolini thwacks her return long. But two booming forehands, taken on the rise, makes a further advantage, and the sense remains that it’s the Italian with the heavier artillery and more bristling creativity. And shonuff, this time when she attacks, as she always does, an inside-out forehand into the corner is enough to seal a 6-4 set. Svitolina is playing well and trying everything, but she’s not quite as good.

Well, Paul raises set point with an excellent backhand down the line but then comes in to greet a soaring forehand, decides it’s going long … and it dips in. What an oversight that is! No matter. From there, he serves out for a 6-3 set and that’s a fair reflection of the play we’ve seen so far: Paul is handling the big points better while, on Chatrier, Paolini has a set-point of her own on the Svitolina serve…

Popyrin makes 0-40 but unforced errors burn all three break-back opportunities; will he get another?

Updated

Meantime, Paul – showing no signs of fatigue, what a ludicrous athlete he is – breaks Popyrin and at 5-3 will now serve for the set.

Paul saves two break points and leads 4-3 in the first; Svitolina, down 4-3, offers the first double of the match and with it yet another break point, but opens a lane for a pass then drives right through it. To deuce we go…

Svitolina must surely now know that her best route to victory is to push Paolini back, and upping the gas earns her break point, but an error returns it. A booming forehand then allows the Italian to come in, whereupon she conjures a lush half-volley off her tootsies, Federer-style, flicking her wrist while hopping. She can’t, though, convert, and when Svitolina is given a second serve to climb into, she doesn’t hold back; advantage her and another chance to seize back the break. This time, she does the necessary, and this is a really fun contest, the standard proper.

Ach, Paolini breaks again – that’s loose from Svitolina, and she’ll be raging at her behaviour. At 4-2, it’ll take some work to get back into the set and, as I type, another gorgeous drop underlines the point. Paolini has the greater variety of shots, but Svitolina is canny, meeting aggression with aggression. We’re now at 30-all while, in the other match, it’s 2-2 and already a slog. Lovely stuff!

Yes she can! She’s worked her way into this match, stepping into court and looking to attack, no “rally balls”, to borrow Chrissie’s expression. A fantastic return, inside-out on the forehand, makes 15-40, and a long forehand means we’re back on serve at 3-2 Paolini.

Paul forces to Popyrin to deuce and after a bit of back and forth zooms into the net to retrieve a drop, the winner he creates earning break-back point. Popyrin then nets a backhand and at 1-1 we’re back on serve in the first, er … exactly as I predicted.

On Chatrier, Svito is on the board at 1-3, but can she make an impression on Paolini’s serve?

Paolini is on absolute flames here, standing as far in as she can, running around the backhand whenever possible, and clouting the granny out of her fore. I’d love to know why it took her so long to find this version of herself, but in the meantime she’s almost toying with Svitolina, holding easily for 3-0. I absolutely love her creativity on court – and you can see from her interviews that it’s an expression of who she is off it. In a way, she reminds me of Carlos Alcaraz.

Updated

Svitolina makes 30-0 but Paolini wins a terrific point at the net out-thinking as much as out-hitting her opponent, and at 30-40, a fine disguised drop-shot secures the break and a 2-0 lead.

On Lenglen, Paul – looking to shake yesterday’s marathon against Khachanov out of his legs – opts to serve, and even at this early stage, when Popyrin breaks him, the first set looks a reach.

Paolini holds comfortably for 1-0. She’s such a great addition to the top of the game – I wondered if her sudden improvement, pretty unusual really, might’ve been a streak, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. She’s now a fixture and a serious threat on any surface.

And off we go…

Out come our players – on both courts. I fancy Popyrin to upset Paul, who’s put a lot into his legs these last few days and isn’t a natural clay-courter.

“They’re both lovely human beings,” says Chrissie Evert, a lovely human being, of Paolini and Svitolina. Imagine being spoken of like that by someone like that.

They are both of course, also fantastic tennisers, and their match should be seriously intense. Paolini’s extra pop and speed makes her favourite, but Svitolina is a very live dog.

Preamble

Salut et bienvenue à Ronald-Garros 2025 – huitième jour!

In the early rounds of slams, the joy is in the sheer multitude, great matches and surprise bangers all over the shot – the only shame is we’re not gifted extra sets of eyes to keep up with it all.

But today, mes amis, is the day it all changes: round four, two courts, chauette alors.

We begin with Alexei Popyrin, on a surge, against Tommy Paul, winner of two five-setters in the last four days then, an hour into that, Jasmine Paolni bounces on to court to face Elina Svitolina, in a most-likeable derby that screams joy.

Following them, we’ve Elena Rybakina taking on three-time defending champ, Iga Swiatek – I know! – and Liudmila Samsonova against spin-queen and Olympic champion, Qinwen Zheng, before we round off our day with Aryna Sabalenka, who meets the improving Amanda Anisimova, Francis tiafoe v Daniel Altmaier, and an elite-level charisma-off between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz.

On y va!

Play: 11am local, 10am BST.

Updated

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