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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Katy Murrells , Daniel Harris and Taha Hashim (for a bit)

French Open: Draper beats Monfils in thriller, Djokovic and Sinner win – as it happened

Coco Gauff Jannik Sinner
Jack Draper stretches for a shot during his victory over Gael Monfils.
Jack Draper stretches for a shot during his victory over Gael Monfils. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters

Tumaini Carayol's late-night report

I think I’ll sleep well, though, so it’s time to wrap this blog up. We’ll have a report up shortly. Thanks for your company, and do join us again for more tomorrow. Bye!

“First off I have to acknowledge Gael,” a very sweaty Draper says. “What a battle. What an experience. The guy’s incredible. I hope he’s able to play here one more time in the future.” Draper’s asked if it’s the toughest match he’s ever played. He doesn’t really answer directly – but says: “I’ve had some tough ones. This is why I play tennis, to play in front of crowds whether they’re with me or against me. My brain was fried because of what Gael was doing out there. I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

Next up for Draper: another potential blockbuster against the Brazilian wonderkid Joao Fonseca. Next up for Monfils: probably a very long ice bath.

Draper defeats Monfils 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5

The crowd save perhaps their biggest cheer for last, as they try to rouse their man into making another comeback. Monfils is barely moving between points, but has enough left to dart a backhand winner down the line for 15-all. A big hit from Draper and it’s 30-15. Make that 40-15, two match points. And at nearly a quarter to midnight in Paris, Draper seals his progression with a cross-court smash! The pair share a long embrace at the net. What a test of mettle that was for Draper on his Chatrier debut, and yet more proof of his growing maturity. And if that turns out to be Monfils’s final match at the French Open, what a cracker it was. Monfils departs to a standing ovation.

Updated

Monfils looks spent at 0-30. But we’ve seen this before. A bit of rope-a-dope? Possibly – but Monfils doesn’t really need to launch a counterattack, because Draper knocks himself out with two errors. 30-all. Monfils is hitting with more zip than a couple of points ago – but Draper soaks it up before volleying a winner. 30-40, break point, which would leave Draper serving for the match. Draper doesn’t make it. And then hits out! Advantage Monfils. A lung-busting rally ends in Draper’s favour. Deuce. Advantage Draper. Game Draper, with a forehand deep into the corner that Monfils can’t return! Draper – after three hours of what for me is the match of the tournament – will serve for a place in the third round!

Draper improvises with his back to the net but Monfils wins the point. 15-30. 15-40, two set points to Monfils, when Draper nets! Now Draper is doubled over, gasping for air, a la Monfils. Draper dismisses the first set point. Drenched in sweat and stained by the clay, Draper saves the second with some gutsy, gutsy play. Deuce. Advantage Draper. Game Draper, with a swinging ace out wide. How crucial that hold may prove to be. They’re locked at 5-5.

Monfils scorches the sideline for 30-0. And then whacks into the net. And into the tramlines. 30-all. A couple of tired shots, as he leans on the advertising boards between points. Another netted shot from Monfils and here’s Draper’s 11th break point of the set. And finally Draper gets the breakthrough as Monfils balloons long! This utterly absorbing set is back on serve and it’s Draper 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 4-5 Monfils.

Tim Henman says this is a great experience in Draper’s education, battling not only an inspired opponent but a 15,000-strong crowd. And he’s backing Draper to come through even if this does go to five. Draper holds to love. His mum is clapping but she’s in the minority. The rest are cheering for Monfils as he steps up to serve at 5-3 and take this match to a deciding set …

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But here’s a double fault. Draper’s advantage … and Monfils absolutely rips an inside-in forehand winner! Svitolina is still watching, despite her match tomorrow, which will soon be today. Monfils creates a few game points of his own, but can’t take them. And Draper produces a fine forehand cross-court pass! Break point No 4. And Monfils’s effort clips the tape not once but twice … and eventually trickles over! What fortune. But soon it’s break point No 5. Again Monfils saves it. He looks as if he can take no more. But somehow Monfils holds for 5-2!

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Credit to Draper, though, he’s not visibly showing much frustration. He still looks very focused as he moves to 0-30 on Monfils’s serve – and then 15-40. Two break-back points. Monfils swats down a 130mph ace on the first, and another strong serve sets up the next point too. Deuce.

At 15-all on Draper’s serve, Monfils runs at the speed of light to get to a drop shot – back in the day he was able to run the 100m in 10.98 seconds – but Draper sprints forward too and hits into the empty court. 30-15 becomes 30-all, and 40-30 turns into deuce. And Monfils has a break point, his first since early in the third set! And Draper doubles! Perhaps the one-sided support is starting to get to him. Chatrier erupts and Draper will be kicking himself. Monfils breaks for 4-2.

A serve half-volley move from Monfils and it’s 15-0. But he’s puffing his cheeks out when he doubles for 15-30. Monfils smartly goes back behind Draper, drawing the error. 30-all. 40-30. A second double in the game and it’s deuce. It’s nearly 11pm in Paris – and that’s after Monfils’s first-round tussle lasted until beyond midnight. Draper has a break point, his fifth of the set, but this one comes and goes too. And the crowd are on their feet when Monfils holds for 3-2.

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Another Draper drop, a lovely angled effort, and it’s 40-0. Draper’s hit 10 drop-shot winners to Monfils’s zero in this match. And the Brit holds to love.

Despite the tension, Monfils is still able to joke around between points at 30-0. He briefly loses focus for 30-15, but moves to 40-15 and slams down an unreturned serve for the game. He’ll gratefully take that easy hold. It’s now Draper 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 1-2 Monfils.

After that 11-minute game, Draper is in no mood to hang around. A forehand volley gets him to 30-15. Another perfect drop shot – he’s hit many of those this evening – and it’s 40-15. An errant forehand from Monfils and it’s game. Draper gets the chance to go right back at his opponent and pile the pressure on Monfils’s serve once more …

A rally of the highest quality, both jumping into their shots, hitting with depth and force, and Monfils is gasping for air when Draper emerges victorious. A fourth break point. And Monfils saves this one too! He’s bent over again between points. And somehow summons the energy to win the next two points for a huge hold! It’s Draper 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 0-1 Monfils.

… advantage Draper, a second break point. Draper has Monfils scurrying from one side of the baseline to t’other – the Frenchman would happily do that all day, Draper would be better off dragging him forward. But Draper doesn’t, and Monfils gets back to deuce. Draper produces once of his best shots of the match – a forehand pass when off-balance – and here’s a third break point. Monfils cancels it out with a 125mph ace!

Monfils is most likely playing his final Roland Garros, but I probably wrote that last year too. When he’s this fun to watch, why quit? But there’s nothing entertaining for him about the double fault he produces at 30-all, leaving Draper with an immediate chance to break at the start of the fourth. Monfils balances that out with a crowd-pleasing point. Deuce …

Monfils has Svitolina and his box laughing at something he says – all I heard was “délicieux” – which doesn’t really make sense given Draper is 30-0 ahead. Maybe he was admiring Draper’s shot. But Monfils’s forehand is délicieux as it forces the error from Draper for 30-all. Draper steadies himself for 40-30. And wraps up the set with another drop shot that Monfils doesn’t even try to chase down. Draper restores his one-set advantage, leading 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Updated

Monfils, serving to stay in the third set, offers some French resistance. But at 30-15, he barely moves to Draper’s drop shot. 30-all. Monfils has the assurance to put away the smash for 40-30, but hits well into the tramlines for deuce. Monfils looks equally incredulous and amused. You could make a whole highlights reel just of his facial expressions. Monfils holds from deuce and Draper must serve the set out at 6-3, 4-6, 5-3.

Another awful game from Monfils and it’s 40-0 Draper. The court is shrinking for the Frenchman. And a serve-volley from Draper makes it 5-2. The partisan Parisian crowd is silenced.

But Monfils sees Draper’s three unforced errors from the previous game and raises it with four of his own, meekly surrendering the break to love. Draper’s coach James Trotman seems to be the only person in the crowd applauding. The British No 1 has the break again for 4-2.

Draper makes two mistakes on serve – both of which are roundly cheered – and it’s 30-40, break-back point for Monfils. Draper’s lefty serve swings out wide to Monfils’s backhand … and here’s another forehand error from Draper! Monfils breaks back! The camera pans to Monfils’s wife Elina Svitolina, who’s still in the tournament herself, and is due to play tomorrow. Not exactly the ideal match preparation for her, being put through a late night emotional wringer. It’s Draper 6-3, 4-6, 3-2 Monfils.

Monfils came from two sets to love down in the first round, so he has the heart to mount a comeback, but does he have the legs? Ever the showman, he’s grinning at himself when his drop shot, combined with an improvised backhand volley, gives him a hold to 15.

Monfils is in a similar position to Gasquet was against Sinner earlier – an ageing home favourite against a player near the top of his game – and the 38-year-old is feeling it right now. Somehow he hauls himself to 30-all on Draper’s serve, but Draper nudges ahead for 40-30, and the Parisians are clapping loudly as Draper serves at game point. If it’s an attempt to put him off it doesn’t work, because he secures the game when a net exchange of angles ends in the 5th seed’s favour. Draper consolidates the break for 3-0.

Updated

Monfils quickly finds himself in a hole at 0-15, 0-30, 0-40. An ace gets himself out of trouble on the first break point. But the Frenchman’s forehand whistles just wide on the second – cue almost silence from the Chatrier crowd. I don’t think there are too many Draper fans in the stadium tonight. But the Brit has the break, leading 6-3, 4-6, 2-0.

Tim Henman says between sets that he thinks it would be smart if Draper took 10% off his shots, didn’t take as many chances and made Monfils work harder for the points. Draper starts the third set off with a delicate touch, dispatching a winning drop shot. But he butchers a backhand, after the ball flies off the line and catches him off-guard. And a double fault gives Monfils deuce. The crowd are ooohing and aaahing as Monfils scampers from side to side; the running proves to be in vain. Advantage Draper. Jeu Draper for 6-3, 4-6, 1-0.

For all the criticism of the French Open having scheduled only men’s matches in the evening slot this year (and last year too), and it’s very, very valid, I doubt any of the crowd are complaining right now. They’re screaming when Monfils takes the first point for 15-0, and they’re encouraging their man just as loudly when he concedes the second point for 15-all. A classy volley from Monfils makes it 30-15. And a netted Draper return gives the Frenchman two set points. Draper hoiks a forehand into the tramlines and it’s game on! It’s Draper 6-3, 4-6 Monfils.

Updated

Thanks Taha. This is more like the Draper of the first set, and he continues in that vein by charging to 30-0 on serve. And then 40-15. He’s left scrambling in the red clay when his forehand misses by a mile, but takes the game to 30. Monfils will now get a second chance to serve this second set out at 5-4.

Monfils is up to the net for a forehand smash but Draper slams the return before breaking back in rapid style. Monfils still leads 5-3 and Katy is back in the chair.

Monfils holds to go 4-2 up before turning back the clock with the first point of the next game, sliding from side to side to win a long ol’ rally, his final forehand too powerful for Draper, who is up by the net. The next point is delicious too as he manoeuvres his opponent around before the killer volley. Monfils has two chances to break again – the first sees him net a forehand. But he takes the second and goes 5-2 up in the second set, just one hold away from claiming it.

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Monfils launches a powerful forehand down the line and Draper nets the return. The 38-year-old has a chance to break but Draper thunders his own down-the-line effort to force deuce. But Monfils finally breaks as Draper goes long – the former leads the second set 3-2.

Monfils holds and gets the fist-pumps going. Draper leads 6-3, 2-2.

Draper, 1-1 in the second set, begins the game with a delicious drop shot that Monfils recognises is a lost cause. Monfils is not in a baseline mood as he thunders to the net but Draper is in control and he sprints through to make it 2-1.

Draper takes the first set 6-3 against Monfils, the Frenchman’s advance to the net going all wrong as he dinks the ball long.

Updated

Evening all. Monfils has a chance to break but Draper resists at the net when the local hero appeared in control – we go to deuce. Then comes a double fault from Draper but he recovers brilliantly, the next three points seized in quick-time. Draper leads 5-3.

Monfils holds from deuce, but he was made to work for it, and the sweat is dripping from his face as he sits down at the changeover. I’m off to grab some food, so Taha will take you through the next stages …

If you’re just tuning in, there have been wins today for Sinner against the retiring Gasquet, Zverev, Gauff, Rublev, Pegula, Mirra Andreeva and the wonderful Fils, but defeats for De Minaur, Mensik and Krejkicova, the Wimbledon champion. From a British perspective, Norrie and now Fearnley are through, to face each other, but out have gone Boulter and Kartal.

Updated

Kenin is edging closer to round three, leading Azarenka 7-6, 4-3, having just held. And Draper is sprinting through the first set, holding to 15 for 4-2, with some brutal hitting. “Monfils looks like a 38-year-old who played five sets two nights ago,” says John McEnroe on the commentary.

Updated

With all that going on, there’s not been time to talk about Draper and Monfils, but the Brit has an early break, 3-1 up, with Monfils serving at 30-all. Monfils moves to game point, and they’re going at each other in the next rally, and Draper drags high and wide. Draper leads 3-2 with the break.

Fearnley advances as Humbert retires

Humbert is back, with his lower right leg heavily strapped, but for how long I’m not sure. He doesn’t look at all happy, and with Fearnley leading 6-3, 4-4, the Frenchman shakes his head and decides to call it quits. Humbert retires and we’ll have an all-British meeting in the third round between Fearnley and Norrie.

Updated

Djokovic beats Moutet 6-3, 6-2, 7-6

Djokovic is turning it on in the breaker, surging into a 4-0 lead, which quickly becomes 5-1. A wild return from Moutet hands Djokovic five match points. And a wayward first serve puts the pressure on the Frenchman... who lands his second, but Djokovic is always in control of the point, and an easy putaway at the end completes the win. Moutet had his chances in each set, but will be kicking himself for not taking them. Next up for Djoko: the winner of Shapovalov v Misolic, with Misolic, the Austrian qualifier, currently two sets to love up against the 27th seed.

Updated

I think it’s may be Humbert’s ankle rather than calf. He’s absolutely covered in clay after his fall and has to be helped up. Unsurprisingly, he’s taking a medical timeout.

Djokovic misses his first serve, then bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounces the ball before his second, and Moutet goes on to net in the rally! Deuce. Advantage Djokovic. Game Djokovic. We’ve got ourselves a third-set tie-break, with Djokovic up 6-3, 6-2, 6-6.

Well, well. Set point Moutet at his advantage on Djokovic’s serve. Just as Humbert slumps to the clay clutching his right calf. This doesn’t look good; I’m not sure if he’ll be able to continue …

Draper has form on his side – having reached his first clay-court final, at the Madrid Open, and then the quarter-finals in Rome – but Monfils will have the crowd on his. Not that I think that’ll put Draper off; he’s such a tough competitor these days, with his career-high ranking of No 5 reward for the progress he’s made since a first-round defeat at Roland Garros last year.

Updated

Here come Draper and Monfils. It could be a cracker – if the 38-year-old Monfils’s body holds up. It’s taken a battering during the Frenchman’s career – and did again on Tuesday night when he crashed into the advertising boards and needed treatment to his hand, knee and back during his comeback from two sets to love down against Hugo Dellien.

Props to Ethan Quinn, the young American qualifier and 2023 NCAA singles champion, who has come through a five-set arm wrestle against Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko, prevailing 7-5 in the decider.

Updated

Clutch point for Fearnley, leading 6-3, 3-2, 30-40 on Humbert’s serve. The Brit can’t take it. An important point, too, for Djokovic at 6-3, 6-2, 4-5, 30-all, with Moutet pushing for a break, and Djokovic holds. And a set point for Kenin, which she takes, to claim the first-set tie-break against Azarenka 7-5.

Updated

The evening patrons on Chatrier, meanwhile, are waiting for the arrival of Jack Draper and Gael Monfils.

Djokovic holds for 6-3, 6-2, 4-4. Fearnley, meanwhile, is 2-2 in the second set with Humbert, having taken the first 6-3. And Azarenka and Kenin are into a first-set tie-break.

Stef. What a gentleman. Probably a good thing he carried Badosa’s racket bag given her dodgy back.

Updated

Beware a wounded Djokovic though … the Serb comes straight back for 0-15, 0-30, 0-40, three break-back points. Djokovic gets the job done at the first time of asking and Moutet is giving himself a stern talking to. They’re back on serve in the third set and Djokovic is 6-3, 6-2, 3-4 ahead.

Djokovic is in a bit of discomfort, it looks as if he may have blisters, and he’s getting his left foot taped by the trainer. When he resumes he still doesn’t look happy, and drops 15-30 down on serve. He does lead 6-3, 6-2, 2-3, though. A second double fault of the match from Djokovic and it’s 30-40. Moutet broke Djokovic in the opening game but hasn’t done so since … but he does here with a winning drop shot! A smart tactic against an ailing opponent.

Kenin holds, which leaves Azarenka serving for the opening set at 5-3 … and Azarenka slides 0-40 down. Kenin breaks back to 15.

Fearnley is a game away from the first set against Humbert, leading 5-3, as is Azarenka against Kenin, leading 5-2. Fearnley doesn’t fancy waiting to serve it out; instead he’s got a set point on Humbert’s serve at 30-40. But the Brit can’t take it. Deuce. But Humbert coughs up two consecutive doubles! A second set point. Which Fearnley takes by painting the line with a forehand! Fearnley takes the first set 6-3.

Updated

Ethan Quinn, the 21-year-old American qualifier who benefitted from Dimitrov’s retirement in the first round, is going to a fifth set against A Shevchenko – I wish it was that one, but no, it’s Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko. But if Diego Forlan can make his pro tennis debut at the age of 45, maybe there’s hope for Andriy Shevchenko. Paolo Maldini dabbled in tennis after his retirement from football too. Can’t think of anyone going the other way … though Nadal and Murray may well have made it as footballers had they not chosen tennis.

Updated

Kenin ends the prospect of a first-set whitewash by holding for 1-3. Whoever comes through here will be second favourite in the next round, where Madison Keys is waiting.

Azarenka, having whizzed through her first-round match 6-0, 6-0, is in an hurry again, leading Kenin, the former finalist, 3-0. I’d love to see Azarenka have a deep run here; the two-times grand slam winner has never quite been able to reproduce the form she had before the birth of her son in 2016, though did reach the US Open final in 2020. Her best result at Roland Garros is a semi-final appearance in 2013.

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Fearnley and Humbert have traded early breaks, and it’s 1-1. Fearnley, who’s copied Zverev’s neon yellow look, then flashes a forehand pass for another break. The Brit leads 2-1. Fearnley has history of being able to block out the noise of a hostile crowd, having beaten Nick Kyrgios at the Australian Open this year and Fabio Fognini at the Italian Open, and he’s relishing the early exchanges against the Frenchman.

15-0, 30-0, 40-0, and I’m about to write game and second set Djokovic. But then Moutet makes a comeback to 40-30. And then picks Djokovic off with a perfect lob followed by a volley between his legs! Even Djokovic is smiling. Deuce. But then Djokovic has got his game face back on as he ruthlessly rips through the next two points. The three-times champion is a set away at 6-3, 6-2.

Updated

Moutet is known for being rather volatile, by the way, and has had a few run-ins with opponents and umpires in the past, which even resulted in the French Tennis Federation cutting all his funding. He regroups here, though, to get to deuce, but then all but concedes the second set – and most likely the match – with a double fault on the second break point. Djokovic leads 6-3, 5-2.

As for Djokovic, he’s ticking along nicely in the second set, leading 6-3, 4-2 against Moutet, having broken in the third game. He’s got a sniff of a second break at 30-all on Moutet’s serve, and Djokovic sends up a lob, the Frenchman smashes it back, Djokovic loops a backhand cross-court and Moutet is furious with himself when Djokovic prevails. 30-40, break point.

Soon to get started: Britain’s Jacob Fearnley v France’s Ugo Humbert, and Victoria Azarenka, the two-times grand slam champ v the American 31st seed Sofia Kenin.

Fonseca defeats Herbert 7-6, 7-6, 6-4

Looking at the scoreboard, Fonseca has match point against Herbert, but just as I get the match on my screen they’re shaking hands at the net. Gah. But I can tell you the Brazilian teenager, bridging a 16-year age gap, has won 7-6, 7-6, 6-4. So Fonseca, playing his first Roland Garros 24 years after another Brazilian – Gustavo Kuerten -won the last of his three titles, is into round three. What a talent he is. And he’s got countless fans asking for his autograph despite having just taken out a Frenchman.

Updated

It’s b2b comebacks for Badosa after her three-set victory over Naomi Osaka in the first round.

Badosa is screaming to the skies after an unlikely 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 turnaround against Romania’s Ruse. The Spanish 10th seed has been plagued by back problems in recent years, and has said she’s accepted she’ll have to retire from the game for good before she’d like to, but this time she had the physio and doctor out mid-match because of a fever. “I needed strength from the crowd, you were amazing,” Badosa says. “It means a lot. Merci beaucoup. I had no power and energy and you guys were pushing me all the time.”

Updated

Boulter’s defeat, by the way, after Kartal’s earlier today, means there are no Brits left in the women’s singles. Norrie has prevented it from being a total British wipeout so far today, and as Daniel says there’s still Draper to come – along with Fearnley.

Thanks Daniel. Look at young Rafa and Reeeeechard!

Oooh, at 0-0 in the second, Djokovic forces break point, only to net a slice looking to shorten an already long point. Then, when he raises another, he can’t control his return, so back to deuce we go; from there, Moutet closes out.

And I’m closing out too, my watch over. Happily, though, Katy is back to croon you through what remains – and, with Monfils v Draper coming up, an already brilliant day isn’t over, not by a long chalk. Peace.

Ruse isn’t going away, but Badosa has found a way of trusting herself in the big moments. She leads 4-3 in the third, but is serving at deuce … and boom, an ace down the T … and another. She did not look capable of that an hour ago.

That’s Chatrier finished until Monfils v Draper at 8.15pm BST. And we’re also finished on Court 7, where Boisson has continued her march, thumping Kalinina 1 and 2. I can’t wait to see how she goes in her next match.

Keys says she generally tries to focus on herself, but she knew today she’d have to be OK with balls flying past her.

Otherwise, though she likes pace in a court, she’s coming to love clay, learning to add more shape to her shots.

Tomorrow, she’ll practise, relax, think a little bit about the next match, and enjoy the city.

Not without hiccup, Djokovic serves out to claim a 6-3 first set. more on him shortly, but first, here’s Maddy…

Madison Keys (7) beats Katie Boulter 6-1 6-3

Straightforward for the Aussie Open champ, who was far too good for the British no 1. She’s playing with such equilibrium now: as soon as she accepted she might never win a major and accepted that version of herself, she became infinitely more likely so to do. Next for her: Azarenka or Kenin, in what could be a very fun match.

Updated

Cameron Norrie beats Facundo Gomez 7-6(7) 6-2 6-1

A one-set match. When Norrie took the first, he grew and his opponent shrunk; next for him, Humbert or a UK derby against Fearnley.

Updated

Biggup Boulter! She breaks Keys to trail 1-6 3-5, but will need to do so again to stay in the match – and only if she can hold first. Meantime, Ruse, who looks out of ideas – geddit? – takes a medical timeout at 2-3 in the third.

Djokovic is coming to the net a lot, which makes sense: he won’t want to get involved in long points, especially against Moutet, whose array of spins and drops will get him on the bike. And so far it’s working well enough: he’s serving for the first set at 5-3.

Norrie has broken again for 2-0 4-1 and Gomez knows the jig is up; Fonseca has won a second set via tiebreak to lead Herbert 7-6 7-6; Keys is serving for the match against Boulter at 6-1 5-2; Badosa leads Ruse 3-1 in the third; and Shevchenko leads Quin 4-2 in a third-set breaker, the first two having been shared.

Updated

Boisson is giving Kalinina a right going-over, now leading 6-1 2-1 with a break. The way she beat Mertens, it didn’t look like she was just having a day out at a convenient time, rather the first major expression of a proper talent, and should she win, she’s a fair chance of seeing off Parks or Jacquemot, one of whom would come next.

Boulter has nowt for Keys, who now leads 6-1 3-1, and Norrie now leads by two sets and a break at 2-1 in the third. He seems to be coming out of a difficult period.

Back with Moutet, he’s down 2-3 15-30, both men hitting hard and long, and when he tries a lob, Djokovic puts it away superbly to raise two break points.And though he burns the first, a drop bounces too high, so he sticks one into the corner then cleans up via overhead. The champ leads 4-2 in the first.

Badosa looked in trouble not long ago – she was a set down and feeling ill. But she must be feeling better and has now broken in the first game of the decider, then saves the immediate riposte with a terrific backhand down the line. Thereafter we go backwards and forwards, deuce and advantage, but eventually Badosa does the necessary and leads 2-0 in the decider.

Meantime, Norrie seals a 6-2 second set against Gomez to lead 2-0 and they’re 1-1 in the third.

And a bit mo Moutet.

Djokovic breaks Moutet straight back, but here’s the latter alongside Denis Shapovalov, soon to be on court himself.

Keys serves out for a 6-1 set; Norrie, the third match I’ve got on, leads Gomes 7-6 5-1; Fonseca, a player I’d love to be watching if only I had more screens, leads Herbert 7-6 5-4; Boisson, so pungent in beating Mertenz, leads Kalinina 5-0; and Arnaldi has just halved his arrears against Cobolli, who leads 6-3 6-3 6-7.

Hi again. I won’t lie, I’m not watching that match. I love Maddy, but she’s way too good for Boulter, so I’ve recently put them away to get Badosa on – she’s just levelled against Ruse at a set apiece.

On Lenglen, Djokovic is break-point down, spending time sending Moutet out wide to the backhand. But when he comes in to volley, he catches the net-cord, allowing a beautifully disguised putaway down the line. The Frenchman leads 1-0.

Boulter v Keys could be going the way of Raducanu v Swiatek, alas, as Keys is threatening to make it rather one-sided. Here are more break points for the American at 4-1. Six to be exact. Make that seven, as the game clock ticks over nine minutes. And Boulter surrenders with a double – just as she did in the fourth game. Keys will serve for the set at 5-1 – and Daniel is back to take you through that game …

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Lois Boisson, who’s making her grand slam debut at her home event and unwittingly made headlines last month when Britain’s Harriet Dart told the umpire mid-match that her opponent “smells really bad”, is under way against Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina as both reach for a place in the third round for the first time. Boisson leads 1-0 and has a break point for 2-0.

Gauff’s victory means Djokovic is soon to take to Suzanne Lenglen. But let’s check in on Chatrier, where Boulter is break point down against Keys. And she hands it over with a double fault. Hugely frustrating, especially as Keys had missed a few returns in the game. Keys has the early break and leads Boulter 3-1.

Gauff says she’s happy with her return game, but thinks she could have done better with her serve, and that Valentova’s a great young player. She’s then asked what it was like waiting to take to court during Fils’s absorbing five-set win. She says she took a nap – and was then rooting for Fils. I think she’s just gained herself some more French fans – though the 2022 finalist has plenty of those already.

Gauff beats Valentova 6-2, 6-4

After an hour and 15 minutes, Gauff has two match points, leading Valentova, last year’s girls’ champion, 6-2, 5-4 and 15-40 on the Czech’s serve. A long rally plays out, with half the court in sun and the other in shade, and the second seed eventually puts Valentova in the shade to complete the win.

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Norrie finally shakes off Gomez, the lucky loser ranked down at 144 in the world, on set point No 7, when Gomez nets. Norrie takes the first-set tie-break 9-7.

Norrie nudges ahead for 7-6, so here’s a sixth set point. He’s still jumping up and down enthusiastically on the baseline, even though he must feel like kicking himself right now. Or hitting himself with his racket Rublev-style. Speaking of the Russian … he’s just finished the job, 7-6, 6-1, 7-6, against Walton. Up next: a potential cracker against Fils.

It’s tie-break time on Court 13, where Norrie has put that missed set point to the back of his mind, and is 4-2 up on Gomez. And soon 5-2. Norrie then drags Gomez around the court and his opponent nets. 6-2, four set points. Norrie goes long on his first serve … and then doubles! At least he has the luxury of three more set points, though the next two are on Gomez’s serve. Gomez takes both points for 6-5 … and then turns defence into brutal attack and it’s 6-6!

TNT Sports shows footage of Boulter finding her fiance De Minaur in the gym before her match to commiserate with him about his shock loss. Hopefully it won’t distract her from the task in hand this afternoon. Boulter is definitely the underdog against Keys, who can play with freedom now she finally has her name on a grand slam trophy, but Boulter is a fighter and is feeling confident after claiming her first clay-court title nearly two weeks ago, having dropped down to play the Paris WTA 125 Challenger event. She even called herself Klatie after that victory.

Norrie has taken Gomez to deuce on the Argentine’s serve. And from there he gets himself a set point. Gomez looks in control, striking hard to Norrie’s forehand, again and again, before switching things up and hitting a winner past the Brit’s backhand. Deuce. Advantage Gomez. Game Gomez. It’s 5-5.

You wait a few hours for a Brit on court, and then two come along at once. Katie Boulter is getting going on Chatrier against Madison Keys, the Australian Open champion.

Norrie is strutting around the court as he serves for the first set at 5-3. That five-set win over Daniil Medvedev in the first round, and his run to the Geneva Open semi-finals last week, has given him some confidence after a difficult run. But from 30-all, he is broken. Call that the commentator’s curse. They’re back on serve, with Norrie leading Gomez 5-4.

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Lovely video this. Though Gasquet must wish those first two hadn’t been playing when he did:

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And a word for the young American qualifier Ethan Quinn:

Gauff takes the first set against Tereza Valentova, the 18-year-old Czech qualifier who won the French Open girls’ title last year, 6-2, when Valentova nets.

Paula Badosa, who took out Naomi Osaka in the first round, is under way against Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse, the 18-year-old sensation Joao Fonseca is 5-5 opening set against France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Andrey Rublev is still two sets to the good in his match … and over on Court 13, Cameron Norrie, the second of five Brits in singles action today, has started well against Argentina’s Federico Gomez, leading 5-2.

Interesting news. Tsitsipas definitely needs to do something to reboot his career.

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And that, the era he played in, was Gasquet’s problem. He could have been a contender with the talent he had. He should have been a contender. But he played at a time when Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray were ruling. There’ll be a ceremony now to celebrate his career, and there is much to celebrate, but three grand slam semi-finals and two quarter-finals seems a low return for a player of his immense ability.

An emotional Gasquet stays on court – he’ll talk after Sinner does his interview. “Thank you so much for being so fair to me,” Sinner tells the crowd. The Italian’s then told he was only one when Gasquet won his first match on the tour. Sinner smiles. “We are a different generation. Congrats to your amazing career. You played in an incredible era of tennis.”

Sinner ends Gasquet's career with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 win

Sinner steps up to serve, and Gasquet prepares to receive in what could be the final game of his 23-year career. “Reeechard, Reeeechard, Reeeeeeeechard,” the crowd chant after he takes the opening point for 0-15. Sinner, as Sinner does, comes back for 15-all and 30-15. At least we get a couple of final looks at that famed backhand, but it misfires to give Sinner two match points. And this time Gasquet’s forehand goes long, and the pair share a lovely embrace at the net. Gasquet, a few weeks short of his 39th birthday, has been sent into retirement by the world No 1.

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Rublev is seemingly on his way, now 7-6, 6-1 ahead against the Australian Adam Walton. But for Gasquet the end appears nigh, as he drops 15-40 down on serve. If Sinner takes either of these break points he’ll be serving for the match. And that Sinner does, when Gasquet, after some admirable resistance, fires a forehand wide on the second break point. Sinner leads 6-3, 6-0, 5-4 with the break.

Sinner doesn’t have time for sentimentality though. He wants to get the job done. From 15-all, he peels off two winners for game point. Gasquet puts away a forehand for 40-30 – the Frenchman’s actually hit more winners than Sinner in this set, 11 to 8 – but Sinner, after one, two, three smashes, secures the game for 6-3, 6-0, 4-4.

On Chatrier, Gasquet is playing this third set as if it is his last (which it may well turn out to be), and he leads Sinner 4-3 on serve.

Fils’s fantastic win means that Gauff has just wandered out on to Suzanne Lenglen. She’s got her rackets this time. That’s a good start.

Zverev defeats De Jong 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3

And here are three match points for Zverev, at 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 5-3 and 0-40 on De Jong’s serve. That first set must feel like a week ago now for poor Jesper. And Zverev zips through to complete the four-set comeback win. “Once I found my rhythm I felt very comfortable,” says last year’s runner-up. “I’m happy with my level. Credit to him, he played a fantastic match also. Let’s see how far I can go.”

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Krejcikova won the title at Roland Garros in 2021 and is the reigning Wimbledon champion, but it won’t register too high on the scale of shocks, given that she’s still seeking her first victory of 2025 because of a back injury that kept her out until last week.

Thanks Daniel. I’ve had to reboot my WiFi about 623 times just to get to this point, so I’m not feeling too confident about guiding you through the closing stages of Sinner v Gasquet. But I can reliably inform you that Barbora Krejcikova has gone the way of Alex De Minaur, losing 6-0, 6-3 to Veronika Kudermetova.

Righto, I’m off for a spot of lunch to clean and brine some chickens, so here’s Katy to chill with you for the next bit.

Next on Lenglen: Tereza Valentova v Coco Gauff (2).

“Ici c’est Paris, eh!” Fils shouts, to wild approval. Oh, that’s all we’re getting. I’ve no idea why, but we’re not allowed to watch any more of the interview, but whatevz. That was the match of the competition so far, better than Badosa v Osaka, and though Fils’ pyrotechnics were its defining feature, the composure he showed to handle his injury and when playing the most important points was just as significant. At 20, he’s got a lot of improving still to do, and he’s already pretty useful.

Arthur Fils (14) beats Jaume Munar 7-6(3) 7-6(4) 2-6 0-6 6-4

An amazing win for Fils, who fought off injury to harness every fibre of his being, along with the crowd, into a devastating concoction of fire and ice. Next for him: Rublev or Walton.

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Fils opens the angle down the line, runs around his backhand … and dumps into the net. But then Munar sends backhand cross-court and wide; two match points to Fils, and the way he’s hitting it, you’d back him…

NOW THEN! A forehand winner, and error from Munar, and at 5-4 0-30, Fils is two games away, the crowd seeking to sing and scream him over the line. Whatever happens from here, he’s shown the very best of himself today, but back to the now, noise from the seats mean Munar can’t serve. Eventually, quiet.

Yet another forehand winner and Fils is up 5-4 in the fifth. Lenglen is jumping and rightly so, this is a blinding display of skill, will and thrill.

On 9, a match with which we’ve not yet visited: Griekspoor leads Diallo 7-5 4-3; and on Chatrier, Sinner does indeed deliver a bagel, leading Gasquet 6-3 6-0. And that’s the thing with him: the way he plays, it’s only the best players with the facilities to give him a game.

The 2021 champ is in deep trouble: Kudermetova leads Krejcikova 6-0 5-2. Back on Mathieu, Zverev has broken De Jong again to lead 2-1 3-0, and on Chatrier, Sinner is serving for a 6-0 second set against Gasquet.

Shut up! Down break point, Fils conjures an absurd forehand winner – his power and spin is one thing, his bravery to commit to his shots another – then annihilates another for advantage. A shank, though, brings us back to deuce and, when that forehand gives him yet another overhead, for what feels like the first time, his joyous thump takes the ball long. No matter, a service winner restores l’égalité, he noises up the crowd both necessarily and unnecessarily, and round we go. this is fantastic stuff.

Fils burns two break points and though Munar then holds for 4-4 in the fifth, he’s in the ascendancy now. For the not very much that means; this mach will turn on a shot or two, nothing more.

On Chatrier, Sinner breaks Gasquet for a 6-3 3-0 lead, while Rublev and Watson are 5-5 in the first.

On Mathieu, it’s a matter of time: Zverev serves out for a 3-6 6-1 6-2 lead and, as I type, breaks in the first game of set four.

But it’s on Lenglen where it’s all happening, Fils holding for 4-3 and saluting an increasingly febrile crowd after each point he wins. Otherwise, Sinner is blowing Gasquet away, leading 6-3 2-0 and Kudermetova now leads Krejcikova 6-0 3-2 on serve.

A ridiculous point, somehow won by Fils gives him 15-30; we said at the start this had the feel of an epic, and here it is. He should win the point that makes 30-all but another display of skill, athleticism and heart, finished with an overhead, raises break-back point, and a barely believable forehand winner, from centre to corner, means we’re back level at 3-3 in the fifth! This is unfathomably fun fare, and I’ve not a clue what’s going to happen next.

Yeah, De Jong is de gone. Zverev breaks him again and will serve for a 2-1 lead at 5-2 in the third, while Fils holds to trail 2-3 in the fifth. He’s giving it absolutely everything, and so are the crowd.

On which point:

Gasquet makes him plough through deuce, but Sinner gets there in the end, as we knew he would. He leads 6-3, but that can only be minor consolation when you’re cutting about dressed like this. World no 1, and this is the stash they give him and he accepts, I don’t even know.

De Jong raises break point but Zverev saves it then eventually holds for 1-1 4-2; Munar breaks Fils and leads 2-1 in the fifth; and Sinner is serving for the first set at 5-3, but Gasquet is making him fight for it.

I guess I’ll get this match on a screen when Munar v Fils is over, but a word to the wise: Court 6 will soon enjoy an Italian derby, and Cobolli v Arnaldi should be a lot of fun.

Elsewhere, Krejcikova, the Wimbledon champ, has been bagelled by Kudermetova; Walton leads Rublev 2-0; Alexandrova beat Cocciaretto 1 and 3; and Putintseva leads Garland J (Joanna not Judy) 7-6.

In all of that, I don’t see the ball that makes Zverev furious with the umpire, who gets off his seat to check a mark, but it makes no odds: De Jong eventually goes long on the forehand, cedes the break, and seems to have run out of good play.

Yup; well, maybe yup. Fils takes the first two points of set five looking more sprightly than at any time since he hurt his thigh. You’ve got to feel for him – this isn’t the first, or second time his body has let him down – but there’s a spring in his step now and he holds to love, the crowd going wild. This is going to be intense.

Munar takes the fourth set 6-0, but can and will Fils continue? I guess he might’ve tanked to allow any painkiller he’s taken to hit; we’ll soon see.

Sinner has broken Gasquet and leads 4-1. It’s hard to see how this one can be close.

Meantime Coach Calv, fresh off court with Henry, says: “Rocha is [redacted] good. Maybe not a top-tier but he’s a very talented lad. Played him a few times in doubles.”

And on Bublik: “Harri’s coach grew up with Bublik. He said ‘no chance’ at the start of the match,” which tells us exactly what a magical win it was.

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Munar, meanwhile, is up a double-break at 3-0 in the fourth, and I fear for Fils – not just because I wanted to use those words consecutively.

A huge hold for De Jong, who’s made to fight for it, but he there. He and Zverev are now 1-1 1-1, and the next 15 minutes or so will tell us if we’re going to see a contest or a procession.

I was lucky enough to meet Henry recently, and also allowed to cut about the Wimbledon clubhouse, each absolutely great.

Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara, the reigning Wimbledon and Aussie Open men’s doubles champs, seeded two here, are into round two having beaten Petr Nouza and Patrik Rill 3 and 4.

Henrique Rocha beats Jakub Mensik (19) 2-6 1-6 6-4 6-3 6-3

Wow wow wow! A second comeback from a battering in the first two sets, and a potentially career-cementing win for the 21-year-old Rocha! Mensik, a prodigy himself, is no joke, and to duff him up like that is extremely impressive. Next for Rocha: Sascha Bublik!

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Fils takes a medical timeout. He was struggling to reach on the backhand, but when he emerges he’s running, presumably to tell Munar he’s still in dis ting. Meantime, back on Mathieu, Zverev has taken over, sealing a 6-1 set, and on Chatrier, Sinner and Gasquet have just got going.

Alreet, Munar is not disappearing. He’s serving at 5-2 in the third – I didn’t see how or what, but Fils has hurt himself, barely attempting to return the ace that seals the set.

And here it is. Bublik is the first Kazakh to reach round three at Roland Garros and perhaps, at 27, he’s finally ready to milk the most from his talent.

Anyhow, our butcher just dropped off some meat, so I’m going to take a swift screen-break to stick it in the fridge, after which we’ll dive right back in because there remains an indecent quantity of tennis for us to enjoy and Sinner v Gasquet is imminent.

Alexander Bublik beats Alex de Minaur (9) 2-6 2-6 6-4 6-3 6-2

An amazing win from Sasha Bublik, who doesn’t really like clay, definitely doesn’t like playing Demon, and is unrenowned for his fighting spirit. But he has ridiculous talent and what a day out he had; next for him, it’s Rocha or Mensik and, ironically, Rocha leads 2-1 with a break in the fifth, having been two sets down. Shame about the neck-beard, but we’ll forgive it.

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…and he swipes a backhand long! This is not yet over as we mooch to deuce.

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A fine forehand from De Minaur saves match point, but Bublik has another…

De Minaur makes Bublik serve for it, but at 30-0 he’s in decent shape meantime, Zverev builds on that difficult hold to break De Jong and suddenly looks to be in charge, while Munar breaks Fils only to be broken back immediately afterwards, to trail 6-7 6-7 2-2.

“Please leave the typo at 12:33,” writes Mathias Kowoll. “In Paris it might indeed be Dinner or Gasquet.”

Oh that’s good. Usually, my favourite such errors comprise accidental profanity – the “cut-shot” is a prime candidate – but this is good. Gasquet or Dinner, a difficult choice indeed.

Next on Chatrier: Jannik Sinner (1) v Richard Gasquet. Oh go on then, don’t mind if we do.

Jessica Pegula (3) beats Ann Li 6-3 7-6(3)

We knew she’d get there. Next for Pegula: Marketa Vondrousova, and already I can’t wait for that one.

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Goodness gracious me, Bublik has broken Demon! He breaks again for 4-1 in the decider and this is the performance we’ve always known was in there. Bublik has loads of talent but considerably less desire, so from 2-0 dpwn he’s not one you’d back to come back, especially against De Minaur, his precise opposite. But here we are! He’s two games away!

A sumptuous cross-court pass and again, De Jong has break point in the first game of a set. Zverev saves it, though, then hammers a forehand to the corner on advantage only for De Jong to make him play one more shot, on overhead … which he totally botches! And have a look! A tremendous lob, with Zverev at the next expecting to be passed, earns a second opportunity … saved with an ace. This is on a rolling boil now, another ace making advantage … and another sealing a massive hold. De Jong leads 6-3 1-0.

De Jong is playing with so much confidence. Up 40-30, he hauls Zverev to the net, passes him, and I’m far from certain the no 3 seed can just play better. Losing that Australian Open final in such conclusive style hurt him badly, advising him there’s a strong chance he may never win that Slam, and he’s not been quite the same since.

Meantime, Bublik consolidates for 2-0 in the fifth, while Pegula leads Li 6-3 5-5 and Rocha, also once two sets down, is serving to force a decider against Mensik.

Fils just has a bit too much for Munar. He’s playing the big points better because he is better, taking the second-set breaker to four while, on 14, Bublik is on one, breaking De Minaur for 1-0 in the fifth! what a comeback this is, because he didn’t just lose the first two sets, he was trounced in them 6-2. Meantime, on Mathieu, De Jong is serving for set one at 5-3 and is up 30-15.

Jiri Lehecka beats Alexander Davidovich Fokina (26) 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-2

A terrific win for Lehecka, who surely won’t be unseeded at majors for long. Next for him: Dinner or Gasquet.

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The first mini-break goes to Fils, who leads 4-2 … ah, but another overhead makes 5-2, and he poses- Cantona-style, as Lenglen cheers. Back on 14, Bublik, the crowd singing his name, responds to decent return with a tweener-drop then, when De Minaur retrieves, he nails a backhand winner down the line that means he’s come back from two sets down to force a decider! Amazing behaviour!

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Elsewhere, Pegula leads Li 6-3 4-3 on serve; Rocha has taken the third set to trail Mensik 2-1 and they’re 2-2 in the fourth; and Lehecka leads Davidovich Fokina 5-1 in the fourth, so is a game away.

Brutal hitting that Munar defends admirably but he can’t resist forever, Fils slamming down an overhead with the whole court to aim at, the equivalent of smashing into the next from three yards. He secures the hold at we’re about to undertake our second tiebreak in two sets. I’d always back the bigger server, and Fils looks the better player because he is, but Munar is as gritty as he is canny, so.

Interesting! Out on 14, having been spanked in sets one and two, Bublik took the third off De Minaur and now leads 4-2 in the fourth. I’d stuck Pegula on my third screen, but with a decider in the offing, I’m going to switch.

Mine eyes were elsewhere, but the commentary advises me that, after being broken, Munar looked broken, and yet he found something within himself, seizing Fils’ serve to prevent him from sealing set two. The French no 1 now leads 7-6 5-5.

De Jong’s enjoying himself, holding for 3-0 after saving, I think, four break points, while Fils has broken Munar for 7-6 5-4. But serving for the second set, he’s down 0-30…

Marketa Vondrousova beats Magdalena Frech (25) 6-0 4-6 6-3

A terrific win for Vondrousova – Frech played well in beating Jabeur in round one – and she now faces Pegula or Li, both of whom she’ll feel are eminently beatable.

Vondrousova now leads Frech 5-3 and, at 15-40, has two match points; Frech saves the first, but she’s second-best now, the 2019 finalist’s craft too much for her.

De Jong holds in game one against Zverev, and his is a name you might remember from last year – he beat Jack Draper over five sets, then lost to Alcaraz in four. He’s also in reasonable form, having beaten Davidovich Fokina in Rome to make the third round of a Masters for the first time, And, as I type, he breaks for 2-0; Zverev won’t panic, of course, but he’ll not have expected that.

I’ve gone for Vondrousova v Frech, as it’s nearly over and with Sinner v Gasquet imminent, it makes sense not to get involved in something we’ll have to turn off.

Pegula leads Li 6-3 1-0 on serve; Fils leads Munar 7-6 3-3; De Minaur leads Bublik 6-2 6-2 4-6 0-1 on serve; Mensik leads Rocha 6-2 6-1 4-4; Vondrousova leads Frech 6-0 4-6 3-2 with a break; Baptiste, who binned Haddad Maia in round one, leads Hibino 4-1; and Lehecka leads Davidovich Fokina 6-3 3-6 6-1.

Right, let’s go around the grounds, and while we do I’ll decide which of the various matches replaces the one that’s just finished on my screen.

Marie Bouzkova beats Sonay Kartal 6-1 6-4

Kartal had plenty of decent moments but couldn’t string good points together and is well beaten. Next for Bouzkova it’s Valentova or Gauff.

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And there is better! Facing a fourth match point, a pair of forehands close to the sideline save the day, but then another zips wide and again, Kartal has to find something…

Kartal’s service-action is similar to Jo Durie’s – as it happens, Durie is commentating on her match – in the way she puts the racket head behind her own head pre-toss. But back to the actual tennis, she saves three match points, raises advantage, and swipes wide. She’s capable of much better than this.

“Have you noticed that the players are not asking the ball-boys and ball-girls to fetch their towels for them?” returns Michael Bulley. “I think the players must have been told not to, as this bad habit had been creeping back in some recent tournaments (Djokovic was a notable offender). Apart from reasons of hygiene, the ball-gatherers have quite enough to do already.”

I had not noticed this, no, though I guess I’m watching three matches, the CMS and my little fingers. I’d get my own towel just to avoid the constant need to say thank you, already on top with the balls.

Back to Kartal, she did indeed break but was, for the third time, broken back before a hold for Bouzkova – the first in seven games – means that at 6-1 5-4 she’ll now serve to stay in the match.

Next on Mathieu: Alexander Zverev (3) v Jesper de Jong.

Looking at the draw, Andreeva will probably have to beat Badosa to win her section. But if she can, her last-eight opponent – if the seeding works out – will be Pegula, who I’d back her to sort. And once we’re into the last four, anything goes; most likely, she’d meet Gauff, a match I’d absolutely love to see.

Andreeva was expecting a difficult match against a powerful and aggressive player who beat her in New York. She knew she had to play well and though she struggled a bit with her serve, she stayed calm and fought hard.

She likes Mathieu, having won her first ever third-round match on the court. She appreciates the energy but sometimes the “Pa pa pa aller” before the serve distracts her.

As for her time off, she really wants to go and try an entrecote, but hasn’t managed yet so might have to Uber one.

Mirra Andreeva (6) beats Ashlyn Krueger 6-3 6-4

The kind of win, against a solid opponent, that’s becoming routine for Andreeva; she’s improved a lot the last six months, and I’d expect her to go deep here and threaten the usual suspects. Next for her: Garland or Putintseva.

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Andreeva and Krueger are pretty similar players, except Andreeva is a fair bit better, and she breaks to love for 6-3 5-4; she’ll shortly serve for the match. Fils does indeed take the first set against Munar, 7-6(3); Pegula has broken Li back for 2-2; Kartal was broken back again but has 0-40; mensik leads Rocha 6-2 5-1; Frech, after being bagelled in set one, has taken set two against Vondrousova; and Davidovich Fokina has levelled at a set apiece against Lehecka.

Three breaks on the spin on 14, where a gentle drop puts Kartal back in front in set two. On Lenglen, Fils’ power has given him a 4-1 lead in the first-set breaker, and a double from Munar for 5-1 means he’s nearly there.

The D-Mon is in a hurry and now leads Bublik 6-2 6-2; Munar and Fils has the feeling of an epic, and they’re playing a first-set breaker; Kartal ahs returned her break so trails Bouzkova 1-6 2-2; we’re under way on Chatrier, where Li has broken Pegula for 2-0; and Andreeva leads Krueger 6-3 3-3.

Yup, that length! Kartal makes 30-40 and when she hits close to the line, Bouzkova swipes a backhand wide so leads 6-1 1-2, a break down, and do we got ourselves a ball-game?

After saving set point, Munar held on for 5-5, while Davidovich Fokina, down a set to Lehecka, has broken in the second to lead 4-1.

Kartal has some serious forearms, and she’s controlling her power a little better now, her length closer to the baseline; she holds for 1-6 1-1. On clay, though, you need to be looking for angles and Bouzkova’s greater variety in that aspect is one reason she took the first set so easily. If it remains the case, she’ll win.

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De Minaur has broken Bublik in set two to lead 6-3 3-2; Mensik leads Rocha 6-2; Vondrousova leads Frech 6-0 2-3; and Fils has a set point at 5-4 in the first … which is saved by Munar, who sticks in the rally until his opponent forces it and the error comes.

Andreeva break immediately in set two but three doubles and she’s down three break-back points. She saves the first when Krueger nets, then lasers a backhand winner down the line, after which Krueger forces it, larruping a backhand long for deuce. What a wasted opportunity that is … but two further errors from Andreeva restore parity in set two.

Kartal just can’t get herself going, broken a third time to cede the first set 6-1. I bet Bouzkova expected a tougher assignment than this has been so far – but there’s still time.

At change of ends, Andreeva removes a notebook from her bag; perhaps she’s working on a novel. It actually reminds me that lying in bed last night I had a thought I decided wasn’t worth the hassle of getting up to record and now I’m annoyed I can’t remember it.

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Krueger forces a break-back point then initiates an exchange of moon-balls, then Andreeva steps in, runs around her forehand, and punishes a winner for deuce. From there, she closes out the first set 6-3, her class now telling.

On 14, the Demon is also a set up, leading Bublik 6-2 0-1, while Mensik leads Rocha 4-1.

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Andreeva has got Krueger’s measure now, her extra subtlety helping her craft a break for 5-3. She’s now serving for the first set, something Lehecka has already sone against Davidovich Fokina, who he leads 6-3. On Lenglen, Fils has broken Munar back and now leads 4-3, while Kartal is on the board at 1-4.

Andreeva, though, is on the move, breaking Krueger back before holding for 4-3. She’s another I wonder about: will she win a slam? At 18, she should get much better, though she’s already so good she might be much closer to the best version of herself than your average outrageously talented 18-year-old. With her, I’m going yes, because women’s tennis tends to allow a greater variety of champions.

Another long game on 14; another long game on 14 won by Bouzkova, who now leads Kartal 3-0 with a double break. There’s not loads in it, but Bouzkova is moving better and winning the big points.

An email fro the other day, courtesy of Richard Caulfield: “One point maybe worth mentioning as a result of Fritz’s defeat to Altmaier: it moves Jack Draper provisionally up to no 4 in the rankings. Very handy for him if he can stay there until the Wimbledon seedings are confirmed – no chance of meeting Alcaraz or Sinner (or Zverev, although that’s not such a scary prospect recently) until at least the semis.”

Spotter’s badge. The question with Draper, who definitely is one of the best four players in the world now, is whether he’ll get good enough to win a major. I’d say it’s not far-fetched or impossible, but if you’re asking me to pick a side, I’m tentatively and regretfully going no. I really hope he proves me wrong: he is, I’m assured, a great lad.

Kartal misses a chance to break back and trails 0-2; Munar misses a point for a double break but leads Fils 2-1; and Andreeva is on the board at 1-2, but so far, Krueger is not for breaking.

Elsewhere, De Minaur leads Bublik 3-2 with a break, Mensik leads Rocha 2-0, Vondrousova leads Frech – who, remember belted Oor Ons in round one – 5-0, and Lehecka leads Davidovich Fokina 4-3 on serve.

I can’t lie, I’d like further detail on the Roland-Garros tattoo parlour. How busy is it? Who’s been? What kind of thing are people getting? Any spider webs on faces or tears beneath eyes?

Krueger is playing nicely. Andreeva forces her through deuce in order to endorse, but she get there in the end; they’re both smacking it, but it’s the American whose radar is working better so far and she leads 2-0.

Email! “Isn’t it nice, at Roland-Garros, to have the umpire giving the score only in French,” writes Michael Bulley. “Sadly, in all other tournaments where the local language is not English, the umpire gives the score bilingually, with an English translation. It’s really irritating. Nobody needs it. If the tournament’s in Germany, German will do fine.”

I agree. We want the local flavour, and the translation of “égalité” is not “deuce”.

Similarly, Krueger breaks Andreeva and Bouzkova breaks Kartal, but neither has yet consolidated.

Fils is unusual for a French player, in that he’s not got much in the way of feel. Rather, he knocks the cover off it, so is betters suited top hard courts than to clay and, as I type, Munar – a specialist on the red stuff – breaks then consolidates for 2-0.

Oh! Another oversight! Ethan Quinn, the 21-year-old American who benefitted from Griggzy Dimitrov getting injured, also features; he meets Alexander Shevchenko.

Decision time: which matches to watch? I’m going to start with Kartal v Bouzkova, Andreeva M v Krueger, and … one of De Minaur v Bublik, Rocha v Mensik , Fils v Munar and Lehecka v Davidovich Fokina. Let’s go Fils v Munar to begin with…

Kartal had, we’ve just learnt via TNT, planned to get a tatt yesterday – there’s a parlour in the players’ lounge, because why wouldn’t there be? In the event, doubles got in the road, but I’m sure she’ll find a slot in the fullness of time.

Oh! An oversight! Sonay Kartal, so impressive in round one, is first on Court 11, playing Marie Bouzkova. Anyone got any spare sets of eyes?

Preamble

Salut et bienvenue à Roland-Garros 2025 – cinquième jour!

And – of course – it’s another ridiculous bangeur. Premières portes, we’ve got Mirra Andreeva – Ashlyn Kruger might give her a decent game – Arthur Fils, Jakub Mensik, Alex de Minaur and Jessica Pegula.

Then, as the day unfolds, local legend Richard Gasquet takes on Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev meets Jesper de Jong, with Coco Gauff, Andrey Rublev and Barbora Krejcikova also in action.

Mais ce n’est pas ça! Later in the day comes potentially the match of the day, MC Corentin Moutet against Novak Djokovic, impressive in round one but now facing a much sterner, more mercurial test.

Meantime, Paula Badosa, so impressive in beating Naomi Osaka, also returns; the Aussie Open champion Madison Keys – and what a thrill it remains to type those words – plays Katie Boulter; it’s Jacob Fearnley v Ugo Humbert; an Italian derby as Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi convene; Cameron Norrie, now with the no 11 seed’s path through the draw, has a winnable contest against Federico Gomez; and we’ve another chance to enjoy the future legend, Joao Fonseca; before, in the evening session, Jack Draper encounters Gaël Monfils.

Franchement, c’est absolument ridicule! Chauette et on y va!

Play: 11am local, 10am BST.

Updated

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