Righto, that’s us done for today; we’ll see you again tomorrow for an absolute load more. Thanks for your company – later on.
Updated
Kenin [4] beats Ostapenko 6-4 4-6 6-3!
That was a terrific match, decided, in the end, by Kenin’s superior second serve and ability to find the right shot at the key moments. Ostapenko was an absolute brute of first-round draw but now it’s handled she’ll feel great about herself and meets Baptiste next.
Updated
Yup, Kenin races to 0-30 and a poor second serve is collared, Ostapenko driving a forehandf into the net; match point Kenin!
Now then! Another big forehand earns Ostapenko advantage, then an error from Kenin, who goes for the line and misses, means we have our sixth consecutive break of serve. If we reach a seventh, Kenin is home. Kenin 6-4 4-6 5-3 Ostapenko
At 0-15, Ostapenko is in control of the next rally, but she doesn’t go for it and two huge backhands later it’s 15-all. But Kenin then nets when given little time to respond to a groundstroke straight down the middle ... only for Ostapenko to do likewise; she can’t knit her points together and it’s costing her. And again, she wins the next with a sumptuous forehand return and clean-up, but can’t force home the break because Kenin stays calm to find a big serve that sets up the rest of the rally; deuce.
At 40-30, Ostapenko serves long and Kenin steps in with malice aforethought; shonuff, she punishes another weak one that sits up and a double follows. This time, Ostapenko’s first go is decent, but Kenin finds another tremendous return a backhand to the opposite corner, and Ostapenko can only blaze her response wide down the line. That’s four breaks in a row for Kenin, and after a little sit-down she’ll serve for the match.
Both players are struggling with their serve now, and Kenin allows her racket to fall when a backhand error hands Ostapenko break point; a belting forehand return, hard into the forehand corner, takes her halfway towards seizing it, and the clean-up forehand hard into the opposite corner does the rest. If Ostapenko can hold next up, she’ll fancy herself to level the match; if she cannot, Kenin will be serving for it immediately afterwards.
Updated
I meant to note that a little while ago, Bencic, the number 10 seed, sorted Podorodska 0 and 3. She meets Kasatkina or Doi next.
Kenin is gorging on Ostapenko’s serve at the moment, a backhand winner – but there’ve been forehand ones too – raising two break points. She only needs one, and is two games away. She might be hurt, but won’t want to halt her own momentum and is doing well enough to keep at it.
Ostapenko pushes hard but Kenin finds two colossal second serves to hang in there. The 2017 champ continues hitting though, earning deuce and eventually forcing a forehand error with a cleverly-angled volley. Kenin might’ve hurt herself in the process, but she’s moving ok for now. Kenin 6-4 4-6 3-1 Ostapenko
Updated
Kenin seizes on a short one, muscling a forehand winner that gives her 15-30. Ostapenko, though, quickly closes with two large forehands, but from 40-30 can’t close out because a second serve sits up nicely enough for Kenin to apply the drop. Kenin, who took a break before this set has grown like she ate a mushroom during it, and when she racks up another break point, comes in to attack a second serve and heaves a backhand winner down the line. This is nearly over now, and that’s a shame because Ostapenko worked so hard to yank herself back into the match.
Yeah, we’ve all seen it before. Kenin breaks Ostapenkz immediately – with help – then consolidates quickly. All that diligence, and now look.
Updated
A meaty forehand from Ostapenko incites Kenin to go long with a backhand, handing her set point ... and another hands her the set! Ostapenko enjoys an elemental geshrei and is playing really well now, as consistent and hitting twice as many winners. This decider should be decent. Kenin 6-4 4-6 Ostapeko
I feel like a moron typing this, but Ostapenkz has been really solid this set, and will feel nauseated we’re on serve at 5-4. Kenin, though, is a monstrous competitor, able to keep it ticking when not at her best and that’s why we are where we are.
That’s the end of the day session on Chatrier – Serena meets Irina Begu in its debut night affair, and they’ll get going in just under three hours, 9p local time and 8pm BST.
Federer [8] beats Istomin 6-2 6-4 6-3!
He plays Cilic or Rinderknech next – Cilic is a set and a break up – but more generally, he looked beautiful out there and though it’s hard to see him beating the other two, you never know.
Updated
Kenin hasn’t played a great set here, but tennis being tennis she finds two earth-shattering forehands to yank a break-back out of nowhere and suddenly she’s back in it, bellowing in celebration just as Ostapenko did. Ostapenko has the collapse in her locker, and if Kenin can maintain pressure we might just see one here. Kenin 6-4 3-4 Ostapenko
Federer is serving at 4-3 in set three and the commentator notes he’s not even been taken to deuce yet. It’s quite insane how good he is, and quite funny that he’s played in the same era as the greatest clay-courter ever.
Laugh! At 40-15, Kenin lands a forehand close to the line, so Ostapenko points it out then heads back to her chair. The umpire, though, has other notions, deciding it clipped the whitewash; Ostapenko detains him in conversation, then thunders down an ace before agitating the crowd once more. Lovely stuff.
Updated
Ostapenkz is giving Kenin all she can handle in her latest service game, netting a backhand on break point ... and then a forehand on her next one. As ever, she’s got the shots to threaten anyone, but she’s also got the shots to rescue anyone, and there she goes, playing a horrific drop on deuce only for Kenin to scurry in and net! Ostapenkz celebrates right in Kenin’s coupon and when a double fault follows, waves arms to try and wind up herself, her opponent and the crowd, We got ourselves a ball-game! Kenin 6-1 1-3 Ostapenko
Back to Chatrier now, where Federer has broken Istomin in set three. He now leads 6-2 6-2 3-2 and this is close to did.
Cirstea beats Konta (5)6-7 6-2!
Once Cirstea got ahead in the breaker she looked much the better player and the score doesn’t flatter her, nor the booming backhand that clinched victory. She meets Van Uytvanck or Trevisan next.
Updated
Konta has made Cirstea serve for it, but there’s no reason to think she won’t do so successfully and very quicky it’s 40-0.
“Federer is past it,” decides Simon McMahon. “I reckon even I could take a set off him now, in best Terry-Thomas style. Hard cheese, old boy. I have been drinking since early morning, mind.”
There’s a slot at which this is helpful, in table tennis at least; probably about three drinks, where you’re loose and seeing it. And then you’re not.
Updated
Podoroska has not only averted the double-bagel but has broken, so now leads Bencic 2-1 in set two, while Ostapenko battles through a humungous hold in the opening game of her second set. But Kenin looks really solid now, and breaking her might be a problem.
It looked likely and it’s happened: Cirstea is hitting too sweetly for Konta, whose game sort of relies on stopping her opponent from doing that, and a double break means that this is nearly over. And in the time it takes me to type that, Cirstea moves to 40-0, finding the line in improbable style and then holding to 15. She’s 5-1 in front in set two and Konta, the number 19 seed, isn’t long for this competition.
Belinda Bencic, the number 10 seed, leads Nadia Podoroska 6-0 1-0. is the double-bagel (not beigel) on?
Back on Chatrier, Federer has taken the second set and now leads Istomin 6-2 6-4. I think he might have a future, that lad.
Updated
From 3-1 down, Kenin wins five of six games, and out of nowhere she snaffles the set 6-4. Her ability to find on-court solutions is exceptional, though 19 unforced errors will always help.
Ostapenkz has probably played better than Kenin, but a double followed by a weak second serve that sits up and suddenly the American is serving for the set. She’s one of those sneaky players able to do just enough, and though Ostapenkz might unload a succession of winners, you’d expect her to close out from here.
It’s not especially surprising to see Cirstea break Konta in the first game of set two but Konta earns herself a chance to have it back at the first time of asking ... so Cirstea clouts a monstrous serve down the T to relieve her of the opportunity. Still, though, Konta isn’t going away and her forehand’s looking decent today, a huge return earning her another break point that her backhand can’t convert before Cirstea clatters a forehand down the line for 2-0. That was a really good game, but you sense that the Romanian has whatever she’ll need.
“Jelena Ostapenko, who likes to be called Alona, and Sofia Kenin, who likes to be called Sonya,” says, I think, Jo Durie; I wonder where the changes come from. Anyhow, this is shaping up into a very tight match with Kenin saving another break point in the process of making it 4-4.
Cirstea looks the stronger player but Konta is hanging in there, saving her second set point with a monstrous forehand. But the next one is on Cirstea’s serve, and when Konta goes long with a forehand, that’s enough. Konta (5)6-7 Cirstea
Updated
Cirstea takes a Konta serve early, punching a backhand winner down the line for the first mini-break– Konta quickly tzakes it back – while, on Lenglen, a double and a poor drop hand Kenin her break back and on Chatrier, Federer has broken Istomin early in set two.
Konta hangs in there so she and Cirstea will now play a breaker.
If Ostapenko were a Premier League footballer, would her nickname be Ostapenkz?
The game I expected to be the best of the day is underway between Kenin and Ostapenko. If Ostapenko’s hit everything style works, she can overpower anyone, and she’s in first with the early break to make it 3-1.
Updated
Federer takes the first set 6-2 and Istomin has nothing for him at the moment.
Cirstea is grooved now, breaking Konta back a second time before holding to 30 for 5-4. I’d not be shocked to see her take the set from here.
Federer’s only played one of the last five French Opens, and I wonder if he’s at this one just to get ready for Wimbledon, or because there’s been a lot less tennis this year. Either way, he’s looking decent so far, cementing a double-break to leave him 5-2 up on Istomin – who, like Roxette’s pal, has got the look.
Zidansek beats Andreescu [6] 7-6(1) (2)6-7 9-7!
What a superb match that was and what a superb win that is! After Andreescu won the first set, you wondered if she’d accelerate away, then again when she racked up match point. But Zidansek never lost faith in her forehand, grinding out the win. She meets Brengle next.
Updated
Hi again. They’re still going like the clappers on court 14, where it’s 7-7 and deuce in the final set, some big forehands from Zidansek saving a break point that Andreescu managed to eke out. Shortly afterwards it’s 8-7, and it’s extremely tense out there.
And let me hand back to Daniel for the rest of the afternoon’s action.
Federer is on court now, and has received a most warm reception from the crowd. After all, he’s Roger Federer. Konta and Cirstea continue to grind each other’s serves, with the Romanian having a series of break points before Konta finally gets to advantage on deuce. And goes 3-1 up with a serve down the centre of the court.
Updated
Some actualité.
Ruud passe le premier tour ✅
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2021
L'excellente saison sur terre battue de @CasperRuud98 se poursuit avec une victoire 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (4) contre Benoit Paire. pic.twitter.com/trrHND6yso
That’s three breaks as Konta goes 2-1 up. The return of service has been great, the serving itself rubbish.
Updated
Konta is immediately broken back by Cirstea in a nervy exchange of service between the two of them.
Konta lands a handy break to love when Cirstea serves like a drain in the opening game. On Philippe-Chatrier, Roger Federer is imminent, and he’ll be taking on Denis Istomin, the Uzbek, on Philippe-Chatrier.
Jo Konta is up next, talking of plucky Brits. She says she is happy the tournament is being played in May/June rather than in October, and that her body is in better shape than it has for a while. She reached the semis in 2019, and has lost in the first round every other visit - four. The experienced Sorana Cirstea of Romania is her opponent, and is in form.
Updated
Medvedev beats Bublik. 6-3 6-3 7-5. He’s served for the match at 6-5 after Bublik coughed up a break. Nice and easy.
Updated
From our tennis correspondent.
Defending champion Iga Swiatek on hitting with defending champion Rafael Nadal:
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) May 31, 2021
"I had to prepare (smiling). Write some small talk topics, not to have awkward silence." pic.twitter.com/0YVyVhwh5m
Norrie beats Fratangelo 7-5 7-6 6-2
Fratangelo lands a slice that catches Norrie out and has chance to break back. Then hooks a backhand out to go to deuce. An enforced error from the Norrie serve takes it to match point. On second serve, Fratangelo rides out a let cord to smash a winner to go back to deuce. The American saves the next match point, too. Then faces another before a double fault returns it to deuce. Then another. This time an ace gets the job done. Three straight sets, but plenty of practice, too.
Updated
Some fist-pumping from Norrie as he goes 5-2 up. Surely, surely this plucky Brit will be in the next round.
Norrie serves the next game out with some comfort, and he’s 4-2 up, closing on a first win for three years at Roland Garros.
Incroyable.
That bounce 😯#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/8Iphf8MsVr
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2021
Quick observation, it’s very loud and distracting in these courts out in the Roland Garros car park, the noise travelling from one court to another. Norrie pushes for the break, but his passing shot fails and Fratangelo booms an ace past him. Then comes another break point, a chance that is passed up, but another presents itself. And Fratangelo whacks his attempted passing shot wide. A break up and cruising to a win?
Afternoon, all. You join me as Norrie holds to love to make it 2-2 in that third set.
Right, I’m off for some scran; John Brewin will coax you through the next hour.
On court seven, Mertens, the number 14 seed, has come from a break down to take the first set against Sanders, while Fratangelo has rediscovered himself, breaking Norrie back and then holding for 2-1.
Zidansek is hitting beautifully now, and a booming inside-out forehand is enough to give her the breaker. Andreescu, the number six seed, is in a proper row, and the deciding set should be a jazzer.
Updated
On court six, Norrie senses Fratengelo weakening – a “check-out point” is what they call the one which gives the Scot a chance to break – so he chases that bit harder to drive it home and now leads 1-0 as well as by two sets to love. If he can consolidate here, he’ll be very close to round two.
Andreescu and Zidansek are playing a breaker so I’ve switched over to that from Bublic-Medvedev and it’s Zidansek who leads, 3-1. There seem to be a fair few Slovenians in the crowd because Zidansek has a lot of backing, on which point the ice cream in Ljubljana is some of the finest I’ve ever encountered.
And though Fratangelo retrieves the mini-break he soon loses another service point, enough to give Norrie the second set. He now leads 7-5 7-6(5).
Medvedev requires four set point to get it done but he now leads Bublik by two sets to love. Bublik is playing ok, but 11 unforced errors is not sustainable in a set against a player of Medvedev’s quality.
Meanwhile, Norrie and Fratangelo are playing a breaker in which Norrie leads 5-3, Ruud has levelled his match with Paire at one set all, now leading 5-1 in the third, and Andreescu and Zidansek are at 5-5 in the second, Andreescu having taken the first 7-6.
Just when Bublik looks ready to hand over the second set he finds a monster second serve and uses it a springboard to hold; at 6-3 5-3, Medvedev will have to serve for it. I daresay he copes.
Just when Norrie looked to have broken the back of Fratangelo, Fratengelo broke back Norrie, who now leads 6-5 (and by one set to love).
Medvedev is now up a break in set two against Bublik, and this one looks a formality now. But I’m still interested to see how he moves, and whether he loos capable of doing serious damage on clay.
Diyas beats Watson 6-4 7-5!
I feared for Watson after she was broken back, and shonuff Diyas outlasted her, the final point a timid smash dumped into the bottom of the net. She played ok, leading in both sets, but couldn’t hold it down at the business ends; Diyas meets Sanders or Bertens next, with Sanders 2-0 ahead in set one.
Updated
Sinner is pleased to have made it through and talks about how many momentum changes there were in the match. He tried to stay calm, and looks absolutely delighted with himself. Well done young man.
Sinner [18] beats Hernert 6-1 4-6 (4)6-7 7-5 6-4 Herbert!
That’s Sinner’s first five-set win, and he meets Mager next. He’ll be delighted to have got out of that one – mentally, he is spot-on, surviving a match point in the process of coming back from the brink – but will be concerned that he didn’t move that well and looked second-best most of the time. I’m sure he’ll be better in the next round but forget him for a second - what a tussle that was, and what a performance that was was from Herbert. We’re into this competition now, and I can’t wait to see more.
Updated
This is great from Sinner, clouting forehands like he’s still playing the first set for 30-0. Herbert looks done for, and as I type that yerman unleashes another to raise three match points.
Medvedev has come back from a break down to take the first set against Bublik 6-3. I’m not sure he’s got the chops to trouble the meisters, but I’m interested to see how his clay-court game has developed.
Look at Pierre-Hugues Herbert! He rushes through advantage, and Sinner will have to serve for it!
Hello! Herbert hammers an ace out wide which takes us back to deuce!
Oh dear. Herbert, whose double cost him at the back end of set four, chucks in another at 40-30; Sinner is two points away. Herbert then loops up a tentative one that drops into the tramlines, and after three hours and 27 minutes, Sinner has match point...
A thunderous service-game from Sinner leaves Herbert serving to stay in a strange but delightful match, while Norrie now leads Fratengelo but a set and a break.
Updated
It had to happen. Diyas has broken Watson back for 4-4, and I’d not be surprised to see her close it out from here. Sinner, meanwhile, now leads 4-3 with the break, and if he can rustle up two holds he’ll be into round two.
Andreescu has taken the first set against Zidansek, 7-1 in a breaker, while back to the men’s competition, Albot and Delbonnis have swapped 6-2s.
Johnson beats Tiafoe (5)6-7 3-6 6-4 6-2 6-1!
What a comeback that is! Johnson plays Monteiro next.
Updated
Watson is fighting hard in set two against Diyas, 4-3 ahead with the break. Every game is a struggle, but she’s making it work for now.
A better game from Herbert, who gets Sinner moving again; Sinner isn’t bringing his racket through at quickly as he usually does, and I’m not sure why. But when he has to, he races in to flick a vicious topspinner cross-court, and that consolidates his break. Sinner 6-1 4-6 (4)6-7 7-5 3-1 Herbert
I’m not sure if Tiafoe has hurt himself, but he’s 5-0 down to Johnson in their deciding set, having lost the previous one 6-2, having taken the first two. Oh, and on Chatrier, Bublik has broken Medvedev for 2-0 only to be broken straight back.
Meanwhile, Norrie has outlasted Fratengelo to take the first set 7-5.
Sinner rushes through a hold and this looks a lot like the end. 2-0 in set five.
Has Herbert gone? His level has dropped the last few games and he’s been broken immediately at the start of the final set. I guess the way he plays involves a lot of risk, especially on clay when he’s charging to the net to dispense his doubles-champion volleys, and the margins are now working against him.
Around the courts: Bublik and Medvedev are away on Chatrier; Johnson is a break up in the decider against Tiafoe, having lost the first two sets; the mercurial Paire has taken the first set against 15-seeded Ruud; Norrie and Fratengelo are 5-5; and Watson is a break in the second having lost the first to Diyas.
Updated
Since the start of set two, this match has been on Herbert’s racket – he’s been dictating, even the points he’s not won – but Sinner battles through a hold to 15 to take the fourth set! He’s never won a fifth before, but if he wants to progress, he’s going to have to. Sinner 6-1 4-6 (4)6-7 7-5 Herbert
Yes he is! Next game, he forces two break points – I say forces, but Herbert lost a bit of something there, whether confidence, concentration or both – and one loopy forehand winner later, he’s got a chance to serve for 2-2!
...and Sinner battles through deuce to hold. As we were advised earlier, he’s a solid individual.
...but Herbert swishes a backhand well wide. Deuce at 4-5 in set four...
Right then! Two blazing winners from Herbert give him match point against Sinner....
Johnson has ceom fro two sets down to take Tiafoe to a decider, while Bianca Andreescu, the number six seed, is on serve at 3-4 against Tamara Zidanšek.
Diyas has taken the first set against Watson 6-4; Norrie and Fratengelo are at 3-3.
Oh! Herbert’s command of clay and angles isa working beautifully here, and he stretches Sinner into a volley he can’t make for 0-30. Are we watching the end? Well, Sinner goes wide with a forehand to give Herbert three break points and if he can take one he’ll serve for the match. A long rally ensues before Herbert nets, then Sinner tries a lob which Herbert gets alongside, allowing it to drop out ... except it drops in! He was right there! What an error, and what a potential turning point! A service winner then makes deuce - this is gorgeously nervy now – and though Herbert has two more break points, Sinner saves them both! If Herbert wins this set he’ll deserve to, but I’d love a decider. Sinner 6-1 4-6 (4)6-7 4-4 Herbert
Next on Chatrier: Bublik v Medvedev [2]. Don’t mind if we do!
Swiatek [8] beats Juvan 6-0 7-5!
That second set was a ruckus, particularly it’s final game, which had many many deuces, but the champ is safely through and meets Peterson or Rogers next; Rogers won the first set on a tie-break and is serving to earn a second in the second.
Updated
Back to the Brits, Dias has broken Watson aback and now leads her 5-4, while Norrie has broken Fratengelo back and they’re at 2-2.
More like it from Sinner, who rushes through a love hold which he seals with a dismissive forehand swipe. I fancy him for a break in Herbert’s next service game, and as I type that he’s handed a double then a poor volley. This is a chance, but a ridiculous whip cross-court to break the sideline followed by a composed overhead makes it 30-all, and shortly afterwards it’s 3-2. If Sinner didn’t know before, he knows now: he’ll have to take this, because Herbert won’t hand it over.
Updated
Norrie, who’s had a bazzer of a spring, is broken by Fratengelo in the first game of the match, while Watson now leads Diyas 4-2.
Updated
Herbert is absolutely loving it out there, bouncing off to his seat and gesticulating at the crowd as he makes it 2-1 in set four. Sinner needs to find something.
Steve Johnson has clawed a set back off Francis Tiafoe; Tiafoe now leads 2-1.
Updated
Juvan is doing much better in her second set against Switaek; it’s 5-5, following a first-set bagelling.
On court six, Cam Norrie is about to get underway against Bjorn Fratangelo, the qualifier. Fratengelo won the boys’ competition in 2011, one of only three Americans so to do – the others are McEnroe in 1977 and Tommy Paul in 2015. In other British news, Watson still has her break and leads Diyas 3-2.
Sinner has never won a match in five sets (which is what we were saying about Pablo Andujar until he beat Dominic Thiem yesterday).
And there it is! Herbert serves out wide, Sinner nets, and Herbert leads 2-1! What an odd and invigorating set that was, Sinner disappearing, fighting back from 5-2, then sinking at the business end of the breaker! I’ve not a clue what’s coming next, but I can’t wait to enjoy it. Sinner 6-1 4-6 (4)6-7 Herbert
At 3-3 in the breaker, Herbert mistimes a forehand, addressing the ball late and on his down-jump, swiping wide. But he immediately redeems the situation when Sinner misses with a forehand, then he does so again! It’s 5-4 Herbert, and if he wins two service points, he’s 2-1 in front!
On Chatrier, Swiatek has been broken back by Juvan and now leads 6-0 4-3.
Hercog beats Bertens [16] 6-1 3-4 6-4!
Bertens is still trying to get back to where she was before she got injured, but that’s still a great win for Hercog who weathered the storm then rode it out. Sahe plays Siegemund or Garcia next.
Back on Lenglen, Herbert has hung on for a breaker, and will fancy himself given his second serve and ability to produce the unexpected. But it’s Sinner who starts well, lashing a forehand winner down the line to hold.
Isner [31] beats Querrey 7-6(2) 6-3 6-4
He meets Krajinovic or Marterer next; currently, Krajinovic leads by two sets to love.
Updated
More agita from Bertens, who’s been broken for 5-4 – Hercog will now serve for the match – whole Watson has broken Diyas in the first game of their match.
In commentary, they wonder if Sinner has recovered from whatever required him to get the trainer on – apparently he told him he felt strange – but he’s looking himself again now, and Herbert is serving to stay in a third set that was previously in his pocket.
On court nine, Heather Watson is just underway – she’s playing Zarina Dias of Kazakhstan, ranked 22 places below her but better on clay.
Oooh yeah! An outrageous backhand cross-court – from deep in the corner and almost facing the wrong way – gives Sinner 0-30, and Herbert then dumps a volley! That’s three break-back points ... and a majestic return means Sinner only needs one! From 2-5 he’s now 5-5, and that’s why he’s a superstar. Sinner 6-1 4-6 5-5 Herbert
Updated
It’s Tan who’ll play Vondrousova next; she’s beaten Cornet 4 and 4.
On Chatrier, it’s taken slightly longer in set two but Swiatek has broken again, so leads Juvan 6-0 3-1.
Bertens has broken Hercog and will be in round two with two holds ... no she won’t, she’s broken back to 15 immediately; inwardly, her racket winces. Sinner, meanwhile has retrieved one of Herbert’s breaks and looks to be in working order again. Can he save the third set?
That Sinner be rusty is not especially surprising, but given how beautifully he played in the first set, the drop-off is very odd. Herbert has improved a lot, but not enough to make someone so technical and tough look as ragged and tentative as he now does.
HAVE A LOOK! Herbert earns a point for a double-break and seizes it with a sensational backhand down the line! Sinner is in all sorts here, being directed about the court by a player known better as a doubles champ. Can he respond? Sinner 6-1 4-6 2-5 Herbert
Vondrousova [20] beats Kanepi 4-6 6-3 6-0
That’s a bazzer of a comeback - Kanepi is a nasty first-round draw – and meets Tan or Cornet next. Currently, Tan leads 6-4 5-4.
Updated
Tiafoe has taken the second set against Johnson to lead 2-0. I’m not sure clay is his surface, but I’d love to see him fulfil his potential; he’s got a lot to do to make that happen.
Vondrousova has found herself and no mistake – she now leads Kanepi 5-0 in the decider, while Bertens and Hercog are at 2-2.
Herbert’s second serve is working really well for him now, and he consolidates easily enough. If the pair of them keep playing as they are, there’s only one winner, and it’s him. Who expected that?
Oh! At 30-40, Sinner finds a terrific second serve ... only for Herbert to find a terrificker return! This is a serious match now, Sinner’s forehand not where it was was and Herbert finding his top level. Can he keep it up? Sinner 6-1 4-6 2-3 Herbert
Eeesh! Swiatek has reversed the birthday beats tradition, and punished best-mate Juvan to the tune of a 6-0 first set. She’s looking decent.
Herbert is serving really well now and he and Sinner are locked at 2-2 in set three, while Vondrousova has her foot to the floor and leads Kanepi 3-0 in the decicer.
Sinner, 2-1 up in set two, has the medical chaps on. They have a little red bottle out - perhaps he needs some Old Spice – and check one of his fingers. But he’s soon back on court, though Herbert seems to have some kind of problem which he takes up with umpire.
I predicted more breakers in Querrey-Isner, but the number 31 seed has taken the second set 6-3 in much less time. It’s hard to see Querrey coming back from 2-0 down.
Bertens is much happier with life now, and a further break, clinched when Hercog dumps a forehand into the net, seals the second set. The number 16 seed now looks well-placed to stamp on the gas and force her way into round two.
Swiatek and Juvan are underway and it’s not taken long for superiority to be asserted, the champ holding and breaking from the get-go. Juvan 0-2 Switaek
Excellent from Vondrousova, who consolidates the breaks again her hitting more consistent than that of the powerful but erratic Kanepi. That match is now level at one set all.
Bravo Pierre-Hugues Herbert! After getting taken to school in the first set he serves out to take the second and looked pretty good doing it. Sinner 6-1 4-6 Herbert
Calvin Betton returns with more on Sinner: “He’s basically emotionless. I asked an Italian coach I know about him and he told me that it’s because he’s from a part of Italy that the Italians don’t really count as Italy. They think it’s more Austria. Everyone from there is very un-Italian. They’re calm, don’t show emotion, are very serious in their ways and demeanour.”
That’s really interesting, and the man is now facing Herbert’s serve, 4-5 down in set two; if he can’t find a break, we’re all-square.
Tiafoe has taken the breaker against Johnson, while things are hotting up in the women’s competition. Bertens is 4-1 up on Hercog in set two, and Hercog, who won the first 6-1, is vexed about an umpire’s call. Momentum looks to have switched there ... and might be about to do so elsewhere, where Vondrousova has three break points. She takes the third thanks to a double from Kanepi, who now leads 6-4 3-4.
Updated
Thanks in significant part to a second-serve ace at 30-all, Herbert has consolidated his break to lead Sinner 5-3 in set two.
On Chatrier, Iga Swiatek, on her 20th birthday, is coming out to play Kaia Juvan – her best mate. Great stuff.
The second set on Lenglen has been much more competitive, and Herbert has just broken Sinner again; can he hold on this time?
Isner has taken his breaker against Querrey; I daresay we may see another one or several before that mtch is out.
Bertens hasn’t been the best of moods this morning, but she’s just squash-shotted a complete misjudgment that looked like looping into the net. So Hercog stood over it, then watched in horror as it clipped the cord, flipped over and died, handing Bertens three break-points; she takes the second and now leads 2-1 in set two having ceded the first 6-1.
Yeah, very funny mate. Sinner has broken Herbert back, of course he has, and it’s not 2-2 in set two, Sinner having won the first 6-1. On court seven, Johnson and Tiafoe are back on serve, while on 14, Isner is up a mini-break against Querrey.
Great stuff from Kaia Kanepi, who’s come back from a double-break down to take the first set against Vondrousova, the number 20 seed, 6-4.
Hello! Herbert is into this now, and skids into the net to lap a lush backhand drop along the net for his first break of the match! Sinner is under a bit of pressure, so it’ll be good to see how he responds. Meanwhile, Bertens tosses a break point and remonstrates with her racket in the strongest terms. That’ll teach it.
Bertens is a in a bind, following her break with a drop; Hercog takes the first set 6-1. Elsewhere, Tiafoe is up 4-3 on Johnson with a break, Vondrousova has lost her other break and trails Kanepi 4-5, while Isner and Querrey are 5-5.
Ah man, Sinner is a joke. Finding himself 30-40 down, he hammers down a belting second serve then plays two more tremendous points and that’s got be soul-crushing for Herbert.
At 0-5 down to Hercog, Bertens earns a break point, and though the set is almost definitely gone she’ll want to assert herself prior to the next one ... and she does, a gorgeous backhand slice from well behind the line making it 1-5.
Wow, Sinner has broken again to take the first set 6-1, and is steaming hot. As if by magic, Calvin returns to qualify his Tsitsipas prediction: “Or Sinner. He’s [redacted] phenomenal. And a killer.”
Updated
Sinner is now 5-1 in front and purring. Meantime, Calvin Betton, a tennis coach mate of mine reckons Tsitsipas will be the next new major-winner, Tiafoe won’t get there and Auger Aliassime is a worry because though he was a brilliant junior, he’s not improved over the last few years. “His second serve is a major problem,” he says. “He got a golden opportunity that tennis players don’t get, coz of covid: to spend three months working on a specific area of his game with no competition or scrutiny. And it’s no better than it was before.”
When I watch Sinner – and Auger Aliassime and Tiafoe – and Tsitsipas and Medvedev – I wonder when they’ll be allowed to win a Slam. It’s impossible to look further than Nadal and Djokovic here, then Djokovic and Federer at Wimbledon. The first group aren[t quite ready but the second pair really are – and yet.
Vondrousova, who got to the final in 2019 as a teenager, was up a double break against the veteran Kanepi; Kanepi has retrieved one so is 1-3 down, while Hercog is 3-0 up on Bertens and serving.
Sinner is going to be an absolute superstar; he’s just such a natural, and after consolidating his break we see him dash to the net and flip over a winner; at 30-all, Herbert is under pressure again. But Herbert keeps the head and wins two quick points to get on the board, 1-2 and a break down.
Sinner has started well, breaking Herbert in the first game; Hercog has done likewise to Bertens, the number 15 seed.
FYI: for now, I’m watching Bertens v Hercog, Kanepi v Vondrousova and Sinner v Herbert. But I may check Johnson v Tiafoe.
Show court programme
Chatrier, from 11am BST
Juvan v Swiatek [8]
Bublik v Medvedev [2]
Istomin [Q] v Federer [8] (not before 4pm local)
Williams S [7] v Begu [not before 9pm local)
*
Lenglen
Sinner [18] v Herbert
Siegemund v Garcia
Kenin [4] v Ostapenko
Tsonga v Nishioka
*
Mathieu
Cornet v Tang
Ruud [15] v Paire
Cilic v Rinderknech
Muguruza [12] v Kostyuk
Preamble
Morning all! What a day we’ve got for you today! Our show courts kick off with Iga Swiatek, who opens her title defence against Kaja Juvan – and with Jannik Sinner, the brilliant teenager who made the quarters last term, against the canny veteran Pierre-Hugues Herbert. When they’re done, we’ve got a bit of Daniil Medvedev, and later in the afternoon, there’ll be some Roger Federer, along with a frankly ridiculous matchup between last year’s defeated finalist, Sofia Kenin, and Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 champions. Add to that a a bunch of Muguruza, Cilic, Tiafoe, Mertens, Bencic, Konta, Norrie and Heather Watson – plus Roland Garros’ first-ever night session, featuring Serena Williams – and away we go!
Play: 11am local, 10am BST
Updated
