That’s all from me today. Thanks for reading and commenting. John Ashdown will be on the blog with coverage of the first batch of quarter-finals tomorrow. Do join him. Bye!
Karolina Pliskova beats Veronica Cepede Royg 2-6, 6-3, 6-4!
The second seed has finally seen off the world No97. Veronica Cepede Royg, playing well above her ranking, runs out of steam and sends a backhand long on match point. She’s given Karolina Pliskova an almighty scare, but it’s the Czech who’s through to the last eight.
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Caroline Garcia beats Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-4!
This match is ending on a farcical note. Two successive double-faults from Alize Cornet hand Caroline Garcia three match points! Garcia nets a backhand on the first. But then she clobbers a deep forehand from right to left and Cornet can’t get her forehand over the net! That’s it. Garcia is into the last eight and these two players who haven’t seen eye to eye in the past sportingly share a handshake and a smile at the net.
Serving for the match, Caroline Garcia double-faults to gift Alize Cornet two break points. What next? Another double-fault. Tragically woeful.
Caroline Garcia will serve for the match! Down 30-0, she’s let back in when Cornet double-faults. She earns a break point and celebrates when Cornet whacks a forehand long! She leads 6-2, 5-3.
There were signs that Caroline Garcia was beginning to feel the pressure and so it proves. She saves one break point but fails to close out the game, gives Cornet another look and promptly nets a backhand. Cornet’s back in the second set. She’ll serve at 3-4 .
Using her big serve, Pliskova saves two break points and holds for 3-all.
Karolina Pliskova looked in control on Suzanne-Lenglen after breaking early in the third set. But Veronica Cepede Royg is one tough cookie. She’s won three straight games to lead 3-2.
It keeps being said that Alize Cornet is tougher mentally than Caroline Garcia, but there’s no sign of the 28th seed crumbling yet. She holds to 15 to lead 6-2, 4-1.
And Pliskova does serve it out, swinging an ace out wide to level the match at a set apiece. As for our French chums, Caroline Garcia leads by a set and a break.
Cepede Royg broke with Pliskova serving for the second set and she held in the next game. But Pliskova has another chance to serve for it at 5-3.
Caroline Garcia probably really enjoyed this. She’s won the first set 6-2 against one of her least favourite opponents. Alize Cornet’s being outplayed.
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It’s been an emphatic response from Karolina Pliskova in the second set. She leads 4-0.
Caroline Garcia breaks for 4-2 after a godawful volley from Alize Cornet. The French fans in the crowd aren’t sure who to support.
They’re still on serve in the French grudge match. Alize Cornet, her left thigh heavily strapped, is serving at 2-3.
Karolina Pliskova isn’t sure what’s just hit her. Veronica Cepede Royg, the world No97, has just swept away with the first set on Suzanne-Lenglen, dropping only two games. What a shock this would be, even though Pliskova isn’t comfortable on clay.
The girl sharapova is playing is going to be number one in the world one day caroline garcia, what a player u heard it here first
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) May 26, 2011
On Suzanne-Lenglen, world N097 Verónica Cepede Royg leads 4-1 in the first set against Karolina Pliskova, the second seed, while they’re underway in an all-French affair on Philippe-Chatrier. There’s no love lost between Caroline Garcia and Alize Cornet, though, a pair who aren’t on speaking terms after their recent Fed Cup spat.
Stan Wawrinka will play Marin Cilic in the last eight. He leads 11-2 in their head-to-head record.
Stan Wawrinka beats Gael Monfils 7-5, 7-6, 6-2!
After two tight sets, the third has flown by. Wawrinka quickly carves out two match points. He nets a volley on the first, though, and Monfils smashes a forehand down the line on the second, allowing him to close in and push a winner to the left for deuce. Wawrinka unwinds with his forehand to earn a third chance, though, and a pinpoint backhand finishes the job.
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Monfils nets a forehand. Wawrinka breaks again. He’s two games away from a quarter-final against Marin Cilic.
Monfils is 2/13 on break points. He trails 7-5, 7-6, 3-1.
Marin Cilic beats Kevin Anderson 6-3, 3-0
Kevin Anderson, who has been playing very well, has been forced to retire. It’s not clear why, but it’s a huge shame for a player who’s suffered from so many injuries in the past 18 months.
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On Suzanne-Lenglen, Marin Cilic leads by a set and a break at 6-3, 1-0. The Croatian is finding weaknesses in Kevin Anderson’s serve.
Stan Wawrinka wins the second second set 7-6; he leads 7-5, 7-6!
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka* 9-7 Monfils (*denotes server): The wind teases and tortures both men. The ball does some extremely funny things in the air. Especially with a Monfils shot that looks to be heading wide before falling short. Wawrinka holds his nerve, though. He whacks the ball to the Monfils backhand before advancing to put a volley away to the right. Monfils can’t do anything about that! He might feel he ought to have won this set before it went to a tie-break, but he’s not been ruthless enough.
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Second set tie-break: Wawrinka 8-7 Monfils* (*denotes server): Monfils smacks a serve down the middle. Is it an ace? The officials think otherwise. It’s wide, much to the crowd’s disappointment. A rally ensues. Wawrinka’s on top - and his heavy forehand to the right finds the line! It’s a fifth set point for the Swiss.
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka 7-7 Monfils* (*denotes server): Wawrinka blocks a forehand long! Monfils roars!
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka* 7-6 Monfils (*denotes server): Monfils pulls a crosscourt forehand wide. Wawrinka has a fourth set point.
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka* 6-6 Monfils (*denotes server): Wawrinka nets a forehand! He’s wasted three set points!
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka 6-5 Monfils* (*denotes server): Wawrinka sends a backhand wide.
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka 6-4 Monfils* (*denotes server): Wawrinka can’t take the first set point, netting a slice.
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka* 6-3 Monfils (*denotes server): Wawrinka flings a low backhand wide to the right.
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka* 5-3 Monfils (*denotes server): Monfils whacks a frustrated forehand long.
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka 4-3 Monfils* (*denotes server): Monfils gets lucky with a couple of volleys, but Wawrinka keeps pushing, nails a forehand into the corner and advances to smash.
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka 3-3 Monfils* (*denotes server): Monfils overpowers Wawrinka.
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka* 3-2 Monfils (*denotes server): Wawrinka sends a backhand miles long.
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka* 3-1 Monfils (*denotes server): Monfils cracks a forehand pass long.
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka 2-1 Monfils* (*denotes server): Monfils lifts a forehand just wide. He has a long debate with the umpire, but they might not be looking at the right mark. Hawkeye says it was out.
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka 1-1 Monfils* (*denotes server): Wawrinka belts a forehand long.
Second set tie-break: Wawrinka* 1-0 Monfils (*denotes server): After a grinding 26-shot rally, Monfils sends a backhand long.
Monfils has a 40-30 lead, but he’s tight, double-faulting. He clings on, though, and holds for a tie-break.
In a spot of bother at 15-30, Wawrinka is immensely grateful to see Monfils horribly mishit a forehand. It should have been a winner for two break points. Instead he misses by a mile and Wawrinka comes up with the goods for a hold to 30, taking him to 6-5. Will Monfils crack again?
Monfils holds to love. He fancies this.
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I believe it was me who said that it wouldn’t be easy for Marin Cilic to break back against Kevin Anderson. He’s just broken to love.
After that medical time-out for Wawrinka, he’s moved into a 5-4 lead in the second set. The heat’s on Monfils as he prepares to serve.
Kevin Anderson, the genial South African, broke in the first game. He leads 2-1 in the first set and it won’t be easy for Marin Cilic to break back.
Wawrinka has called for the trainer. He’s having treatment on his lower back.
“Allez!” Wawrinka cries. He saves two more break points and holds for 4-3. Monfils is 2/12 on break points. He’s passive on the big points. You can tell which of these guys is a grand slam champion.
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Over on Suzanne-Lenglen, Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson have arrived. Cilic, the former US Open champion, is yet to drop a set, while Anderson has had a couple of fine, stout wins over two young hopefuls, Nick Kyrgios and Kyle Edmund, fighting back from a set down in each of them. Cilic leads their head-to-head 5-1, but they’re 1-1 on clay.
Wawrinka ties Monfils up with some treacherous loopers, the 2015 champion making good use of the wind to earn two break points. The Swiss is 100% on break points so far, but Monfils saves the first, whooshing a forehand down the line and a big serve cancels out the second too. He holds for 3-all.
Wawrinka seems convinced that Monfils won’t be solid enough to beat him. He’s not at his best, but he’s recovered each time he’s been broken. They’re back on serve in the second set, with Monfils about to serve at 2-3.
Nishikori’s reward is a quarter-final against Andy Murray, who he beat in the US Open last year. The eighth seed puffs out his cheeks after a Verdasco backhand flies long, confirming his win. He’s had a draining few days and he’s slumped in his chair on Suzanne-Lenglen, while Murray’s been resting up for the past two hours.
Kei Nishikori beats Fernando Verdasco 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0!
Oh, Fernando.
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Wawrinka shanks a backhand horribly and Monfils breaks in the first game of the second set. There’s life in this one yet.
Tomorrow’s order of play is here.
Nishikori has crunched into a 4-0 lead in the fourth set on Suzanne-Lenglen. Is he going to bagel Verdasco?
Stan Wawrinka wins the first set 7-5!
“Oooh,” says the Eurosport commentator as Wawrinka sends an enormous forehand down the line to lead 15-30. That was ominous. The next rally’s huge. Somehow Monfils wins it. Out wide on the left, his stretching backhand clears the net - and then it dies on the dirt, Wawrinka completely befuddled. Was that the wind? And is this the wind? Monfils serves and volleys - but he punches an easy volley wide to give Wawrinka a set point. That’s so Monfils. So’s this: a double-fault. Lamentable, but Monfils is always liable to capitulate in that manner.
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Wawrinka chucks away a 40-0 lead with some strange misses, but he finds an extra hold at deuce. He lashes a forehand down the line to hold for 6-5. Monfils will serve for a tie-break.
Nishikori breaks in the first game of the fourth set. If only tennis matches were only one set. Verdasco would have won so much.
Monfils quells the Wawrinka charge at a crucial important, holding from 0-15 to make it 5-all an keep the first set alive. Wawrinka is starting to welly the ball, though, and Monfils isn’t dominating in the way he was 20 minutes ago.
Kei Nishikori leads 0-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Suzanne-Lenglen. Some scoreline, eh? The eighth seed is a set away from a quarter-final against Andy Murray. Their last one was a classic in New York.
Serving at 4-3, Monfils has gone over on his ankle, but wins the point to trail 15-30. Then he has a brain freeze. A Wawrinka return lands on the line, but Monfils thinks it’s heading out. He checks out of the rally and his forehand drifts long. Wawrinka only needs one break point, Monfils tamely netting a backhand. It’s 4-all.
Thanks to Rob for stepping in. On Suzanne-Lenglen, Kei Nishikori is mounting quite the fightback. The eighth seed has broken for a 5-3 lead in the third set. Where’s the Verdasco of the first set gone?
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Sublime returning from the Frenchman earns him another two break points. Wawrinka is being nothing if not steely and gets back to deuce but Monfils defends like a demon to force another opportunity, and benefits from a wild backhand from the Swiss. That’s the first break of the match and you can’t say it wasn’t coming. Monfils leads 3-2, and with that I’ll hand back to Jacob.
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Nishikori and Verdasco are locked together at 3-3 in the third set of a match where the wind is causing mild havoc, the ball flying everywhere off the racket frames. At present Murray will not be too alarmed at the prospect of playing either in the last 16
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A sluggish start from Wawrinka leaves him 15-40 down in the opening game, but he finds some rhythm to win four straight points to hold. Monfils holds to 15 before again pressurising the Wawrinka serve again. Two horrible mishits and a poor forehand into the net open the door for Monfils in the third game, but he fails to take any of his three break points and Wawrinka goes 2-1 up. He hasn’t lost a set in the tournament so far but he better liven up here if that’s not going to change.
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Thanks Jacob. Wawrinka has been cruising through this tournament having won the Geneva Open title last weekend but Monfils is always a dangerous proposition, especially in the city where he was born. Monfils has had his fitness problems but Richard Gasquet’s withdrawal during their all-French match-up in the previous round bought him a bit of extra recovery time. Will it make any difference against the champion of two years ago? We’ll see. Wawrinka to serve first …
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Time for me to grab some lunch. Rob Bleaney will step into the hotseat. Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils will be on court shortly.
Kei Nishikori has closed out that second set on Suzanne-Lenglen. The eighth seed has done well to recover from that horrific opening set.
Murray will play either Fernando Verdasco or Kei Nishikori in the last eight - Verdasco won the first 6-0, but Nishikori is about to serve for the second at 5-4.
Murray speaks again. “I wanted to try to change the pace of the shots a little because he is a big hitter. When the ball’s in the same place, he gets a good rhythm and is very powerful. It was pretty windy out there. But I hit the ball pretty well for the most part. You always have to expect guys to fight hard. This court is quite different to the ones we play on in Rome and Madrid. It’s quite big, it can get windy. It’s not easy to play on.”
Andy Murray speaks - but not about tennis. “Obviously there is terrible tragedy in London,” the world No1 says. “We had it also in Manchester six or seven days ago. Paris has had some problems in the last year or two. I’m sure everyone will join me in some thoughts and prayers with everyone who has been affected by this. It’s something that has affected large parts of Europe and all over the world and obviously we want things to keep getting better and we want everyone to keep coming out to support the tennis and thank you for creating a great atmosphere.”
Andy Murray beats Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-4, 6-4!
Serving for the match, Murray finds himself trailing 0-15. So he cracks an ace down the middle, clips a forehand down the line and sees Khachanov make another error. After just over two hours, he has two match points. “Yep!” he cries after Khachanov whips a forehand wide. That’s it. Murray is through to the last eight. Slowly but surely, he’s improving.
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Third set: Murray 6-3, 6-4, 5-4 Khachanov* (*denotes server): Khachanov was in a similar position in the second set, only to let himself down with a wretched service game. He starts this one more confidently, an ace making it 15-0. But Murray punches back with a forehand winner and a drop shot to make it 15-30. Murray goes for another drop shot. Khachanov’s on to this one, but Murray knows where his forehand’s going. Khachanov goes crosscourt, Murray sends a forehand down the line for two break points. This feels slightly predictable. The crowd enjoyed Khachanov breathing life back into the set, but they fall silent again when the Russian nets a backhand. Murray will serve for the match.
Third set: Murray* 6-3, 6-4, 4-4 Khachanov (*denotes server): At 15-all, Khachanov enjoys a slice of luck when a shot clips the top of the net and leaves Murray stranded. Murray manages to prod it back over, but Khachanov ruthlessly bodies him. Then Murray, weirdly flat, splutters a drop shot into the net to hand over two break points, before sending a backhand long. Khachanov breaks back!
Third set: Murray 6-3, 6-4, 4-3 Khachanov* (*denotes server): Khachanov wallops a swerving forehand out of reach to hold to love. He could have completely collapsed in this set, but he’s fighting hard instead. That spirit should serve him well in the future.
Third set: Murray* 6-3, 6-4, 4-2 Khachanov (*denotes server): Murray pings two identical backhand down the line to lead 30-0. He holds to 15.
Third set: Murray 6-3, 6-4, 3-2 Khachanov* (*denotes server): Khachanov wins a drop shot duel on the opening point. Murray gets his revenge with a drop shot-lob routine for 30-all. There’s an exhibition feel to this now. But Khachanov isn’t here to perform the role of a clown. He steels himself and holds to 30 with an ace.
Third set: Murray* 6-3, 6-4, 3-1 Khachanov (*denotes server): Murray’s first double-fault of the match makes it 30-all. Yet he does enough with some awkward loopers to move into a 40-30 lead and holds with an ace.
Third set: Murray 6-3, 6-4, 2-1 Khachanov* (*denotes server): Khachanov gets himself on the board with an excellent hold to love. The boy can play a bit. He’s just been too erratic. Erratic players don’t beat Andy Murray.
Third set: Murray* 6-3, 6-4, 2-0 Khachanov (*denotes server): On Suzanne-Lenglen, Fernando Verdasco has won the first set 6-0 against Kei Nishikori, who was on the wrong end of a bagel during his fourth-round win over Hyeon Chung as well. Murray, who easily holds to 15 in this game, plays the winner of that match. He beat Verdasco in straight sets here in 2014.
Third set: Murray 6-3, 6-4, 1-0 Khachanov* (*denotes server): Khachanov battled impressively in the first two sets considering his inexperience and youth, but he looks deflated at the start of the third. A double-fault makes it 0-30. An errant forehand makes it 0-40. He saves the first, although only after Murray returns a smash. Eventually Murray hoicks a lob wide. Khachanov saves the second break point as well and that perks him up. A piercing forehand into the right corner pushes Murray back again and he makes it deuce with an easy smash. Yet Murray keeps coming. He’s relentless. He earns a fourth chance when Khachanov wearily hooks a forehand wide. The Russian’s almost cooked here. He nets a backhand.
Andy Murray wins the second set 6-4; he leads 6-3, 6-4!
Murray plays it a bit too safe on the first point, allowing Khachanov to win a tentative rally with a monstrous forehand. Murray responds with an ace for 15-all. A body serve makes it 30-15 and Murray has two set points when Khachanov, flat-footed off a bouncing serve, knocks a backhand return wide. He only needs one. Khachanov nets a forehand and Murray’s a set away from the last eight.
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Second set: Murray 6-3, 5-4 Khachanov* (*denotes server): At 30-all, Khachanov is made to run a lot by Murray. But he’s not a wooden mover. He hangs on, then seizes control with a low forehand from right to left. Murray nets on the run and Khachanov holds to 30 with an impudent drop shot. Murray will serve for a two-set lead. On Suzanne-Lenglen, meanwhile, Fernando Verdasco has an early break against Kei Nishikori.
Second set: Murray* 6-3, 5-3 Khachanov (*denotes server): Murray just has to wait for Khachanov to miss. He holds to 15.
Second set: Murray 6-3, 4-3 Khachanov* (*denotes server): This is what Khachanov doesn’t need: a backhand into the net on the first point of this game. Then he knocks a backhand long to make it 0-30, before double-faulting to give up two break points. This is a shocker. He saves the first with a big serve, but Murray proceeds to grind away with predictable consequences, Khachanov netting a backhand to drop his serve again. He’ll be desperately disappointed after expending so much effort dragging himself back into the set.
Second set: Murray 6-3, 3-3 Khachanov* (*denotes server): A tame Murray serve sits up invitingly for Khachanov to punch a backhand return to the left for a 0-15 lead. He responds by luring Khachanov forward, allowing him to scoop a ridiculously good lob over the Russian for 15-all, but then a slip causes him to mishit for 15-30. Murray’s focus has dipped. Another error hands Khachanov his first break point and Murray nets a forehand! “Come on!” Khachanov cries.
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Second set: Murray 6-3, 3-2 Khachanov* (*denotes server): A relaxed hold for Khachanov. But it’s no good if he can’t find more consistency.
Second set: Murray* 6-3, 3-1 Khachanov (*denotes server): Murray loves a a target. He loves to lob a big man. Khachanov forgets that, produces a poor approach shot and watches helplessly and forlornly as a Murray backhand drifts over him for 30-0. Murray makes it 40-0 with his third ace and holds easily.
Second set: Murray 6-3, 2-1 Khachanov* (*denotes server): The first two points are shared. So are the next two. Khachanov is undermined by indiscipline at times. It’s what Murray does to you. He gifts the world No1 a break point by splurting a forehand long. Frustrated by Murray’s defensive qualities, he gives up the game with a double-fault.
Second set: Murray* 6-3, 1-1 Khachanov (*denotes server): Khachanov moves well for a man of his size. He reaches a Murray drop shot and wins the point with a dink of his own. It’s deuce. He’s pressing here. But Murray knuckles down with an ace down the middle and holds when Khachanov knocks a forehand return long.
Second set: Murray 6-3, 0-1 Khachanov* (*denotes server): On Suzanne-Lenglen, Petra Martic served for the match in the third set, only for Elina Svitolina to break the world No290’s heart by racing through five straight games to win 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 and reach the last eight, where she’ll play Simona Halep. Back on Philippe-Chatrier, Khachanov begins the second set with a hold to 15.
Andy Murray wins the first set 6-3!
Khachanov belts a backhand wide to make it 15-0. Murray earns three set points with a serve down the middle. He takes the first with a swinging ace down the middle. It’s all very straightforward at the moment for the world No1.
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First set: Murray 5-3 Khachanov* (*denotes server): Serving to stay in the first set, Khachanov holds to 15 with a massive forehand. There was another warning from Murray, though, with a superb forehand return off a wide serve. He’ll serve for the set.
First set: Murray* 5-2 Khachanov (*denotes server): Murray scampers on to a short ball to skelp a forehand low to Khachanov’s right for 15-0. Serving accurately, he moves into a 40-15 lead. Then he decides to toy with Khachanov. Drop shot. Lob. Smash. He needs two stabs at the smash, mind you, but he gets there in the end.
First set: Murray 4-2 Khachanov* (*denotes server): A couple of forehand errors from Khachanov give Murray a 15-30 lead. He’s under a bit of pressure, but he’s relieved to see Murray pull a backhand wide for 30-all. The game goes to deuce when Khachanov double-faults, though, and Murray earns the first break point with a stunning forehand return from right to left. Murray defends magnificently and Khachanov eventually pings a forehand wide on the right.
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First set: Murray* 3-2 Khachanov (*denotes server): Khachanov wins a point on the Murray serve at last, flicking a beautiful backhand down the line for 0-15. Then he hammers a smash down the line for 0-30. He’s settled down now. Murray responds by increasing his aggression, forcing Khachanov to hit long for 15-30. Then Khachanov nets a forehand. Murray’s decided he needs to be more proactive. He moves into a 40-30 lead with a forehand winner. Khachanov responds by swiping a forehand return away to force deuce. He isn’t allowed a break point, however, Murray holding with a driven forehand volley.
First set: Murray 2-2 Khachanov* (*denotes server): The first point’s a minor classic. Khachanov pounds another forehand down the line, forcing Murray into a trademark defensive lob. Khachanov smashes and the rally resumes. Realising he can’t overpower Murray here, he changes approach - and stuns the world No1 with a gorgeous drop shot for 15-0. Soon it’s 40-15. The Russian holds to 30 with a huge serve. Murray’s not worked him out yet.
First set: Murray* 2-1 Khachanov (*denotes server): Murray slams a powerful serve down the middle to take a 15-0 lead. At 30-0, he comes up with his first drop shot. Khachanov dinks it back over the net, but Murray dabs a forehand down the line for 40-0. He holds to love again.
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First set: Murray 1-1 Khachanov* (*denotes server): A murmur in the crowd as Khachanov begins this game with a double-fault. He’s on edge. The youngster’s a bag of nerves out there. He needs to settle down. But Murray’s not giving him much.A length rally ends with Khachanov sending a forehand long for 15-30. But then Khachanov finally comes alive. At 30-all, he rips a forehand down the line and moves forward to slap away a smash for 40-30. He holds to 30 and he’ll be feeling much better about himself.
First set: Murray* 1-0 Khachanov (*denotes server): With the sun shining, Andy Murray gets the match underway. Khachanov tries to go big on a couple of returns, but they fly long and wide. Murray holds to love with a lovely drop shot.
They’re into a third set on Suzanne-Lenglen, where Elina Svitolina has levelled it against Petra Martic. The fifth seed won the second set 6-3.
Tok! Tok! Tok! They’re knocking up. This is Murray’s first meeting with Khachanov. He tends to do well against big servers and Khachanov is in unfamiliar territory after reaching the second week of a slam for the first time. Murray’s experience is incomparable.
There was a danger that Andy Murray would simply be blown away by Juan Martin del Potro, given how off colour he has been in 2017, and it was a worrying start for the world No1. By the end, however, he looked back to his first. It might just have been the match he needed after all his problems this year, an intense, brutal, occasionally titanic struggle against a player who would be a top 10 player but for injuries. Is Murray back? It’s too soon to say. His level dipped and soared in his first two matches, both of which were won in four sets, and it could yet turn out to be a false dawn. But he’s feeling better about his tennis now. He is the world No1. All of a sudden, he looks ready for another tilt at this trophy, though he won’t have it all his own way against Karen Khachanov, a 6ft 6in Russian who’s got a big game.
News reached us earlier of Tomas Berdych splitting with Goran Ivanisevic. Berdych was beaten in the second round by Karen Khachanov, whose match against Andy Murray is next on Philippe-Chatrier.
News from my team...🎾✔️#tbteam pic.twitter.com/vnSNRRXgdh
— Tomáš Berdych (@tomasberdych) June 5, 2017
Simona Halep beats Carla Suarez-Navarro 6-1, 6-1!
Not a bad way for her Halep to secure her first ever win over Carla Suarez-Navarro on clay.
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Another break for Simona Halep. She leads 6-1, 4-1.
There have been three straight breaks at the start of the second set on Philippe-Chatrier. Despite some resistance from Carla Suarez-Navarro, Simona Halep still has a commanding lead.
An upset’s brewing on Suzanne-Lenglen. Petra Martic, ranked 290th in the world after a torrid time with injuries, has taken the first set 6-4 against Elina Svitolina.
This is a clinic from Simona Halep. Hitting ferociously, she breaks in the first game of the second set. You wouldn’t think the Romanian has a 0-4 record against Suarez-Navarro on clay.
There’s finally been a break on Suzanne-Lenglen. Petra Martic is the heavy underdog, but she leads 4-3 against Elina Svitolina.
Simona Halep wins the first set 6-1!
The first set’s over in 26 minutes. Carla Suarez-Navarro changes tack, deciding to approach the net at 40-30, but Halep drops a backhand pass at her feet and the Spaniard can’t do anything with a half-volley.
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Suarez-Navarro, defending well, gets herself on the scoreboard at last. But Halep will serve for the set at 5-1.
This is outstanding from Halep, who’s looking every inch the potential champion at the moment. The Romanian breaks again to lead 4-0 in the first set. It’s more even on Suzanne-Lenglen, meanwhile, where it’s still on serve.
Simona Halep, rocketing around Philippe-Chatrier, sprays forehands left and right and forces Carla Suarez-Navarro to block a forehand wide. The first break goes to Halep. It’s unlikely to be the last.
Simona Halep’s under pressure from Carla Suarez-Navarro immediately, down a couple of break points in the first game. A searing backhand saves the first, though, and that provides her with enough momentum to hold.
And ... play! Day nine of the French Open is underway.
It’s a sunny day in Paris - we’ve been lucky with the weather after last year’s downpours - but it’s a windy day. Conditions could be influential here.
The players are out and warming up. On Philippe-Chatrier, we have Simona Halep, the favourite, and Carla Suarez-Navarro, the 21st seed. Suarez-Navarro has won all four of their meetings on clay, so this is unlikely to be a comfortable couple of hours for Halep, who lost to Elina Svitolina in the Rome final. Svitolina is on Suzanne-Lenglen now. She’s up against Petra Martic, a 26-year-old Croatian who hasn’t been in the fourth round since 2012.
While we wait for play to begin, here’s Kevin Mitchell’s preview of Andy Murray’s match.
Preamble
Hello. In the women’s draw, one thing’s for certain: one way or another, we will have a new grand slam champion come Saturday afternoon. With Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova missing, the stage was set for Garbine Muguruza to defend her crown - but the Spaniard crashed out against Kristina Mladenovic yesterday, while Caroline Wozniacki also sent former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova on her way today. An open draw just became that bit more open. For Simona Halep, Karolina Pliskova and Elina Svitolina this is an are intriguing developments. As long as they can all keep their momentum going today. Halep plays Carla Suarez-Navarro, Pliskova meets Veronica Cepede Royg and Svitolina has a date with Petra Martic.
But while unfamiliarity is the theme with the women, the same old faces are mostly dominating the men’s draw - not that the tournament’s suffering for it. There was talk before the fortnight that this might be the time for one of the young pretenders to make their mark. Yet Rafael Nadal is looking as awesome as ever on clay, while Novak Djokovic played the sort of tennis you’d hope for from the defending champion yesterday. The top two favourites have mostly been untouchable so far and today Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka look to join them in the last eight; Murray after an uplifting win over Juan Martin del Potro, Wawrinka after dealing emphatically with the awkward Fabio Fognini. Murray faces Karen Khachanov, the 21-year-old Russian who has had impressive wins over Tomas Berdych and John Isner, while Wawrinka takes on home favourite Gael Monfils.
Elsewhere we have a clash between two French women, Alize Cornet and Caroline Garcia, a serve-off between Kevin Anderson and Marin Cilic, and a potential upset when the fiery Fernando Verdasco takes on Kei Nishikori. Drama awaits.
Play begins at 10am BST.
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