That, then, is us done for the day. thanks all for your company, and we’ll be back tomorrow at 10am BST with some tasty-looking tussles – Svitlina v Rybakina, De Minaur v Medvedev, Navarro v Sabalenka, Djokovic v Cerundolo and more. But until then, peace out.
Jabeur says Clara made it difficult for her and she knew it’d be tough, so is grateful to the fans for supporting her and she concentrated all the way through until she’d won. She and her team did a lot of mental preparation, the idea to play her own game as she knew she could cause her opponent trouble and thinks she did. Looking forward to her quarter, she says Gauff is a fantastic player and won the US Open last year but she’ll cause her some problems and hopes the public get behind her. To establish the point, she sings to the healthy Tunisian contingent in the crowd, and she’s just got so much competitive charisma it’s beautiful.
Tauson wasn’t at her best today, but she gives it a prodigious thump and at 21 has lots of time to improve – and she’s already good. I’m excited to see how she develops over the next couple of years.
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Ons Jabeur (8) beats Clara Tauson 6-4 6-4
Jabeur is improving but still a way off her best; she’ll need to be a lot better than she was if she’s to trouble Coco Gauff in the last eight. But what a match that’s going to be!
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… and Tauson saves it, Jabeur tightening up, but another error hands over another opportunity…
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A miserable second serve, 110kmh and in the middle of the box, allows Tauson 0-15, but a big forehand, then a backhand slice winner to the corner levels the game. The Swiss then goes long with a forehand, Jabeur now two points away, and gets lucky when a weakly nervous second serve isn’t punished … for all it matters, Tauson eventually outlasting her in the rally for 30-all. An look at that, a booming forehand winner raising a break-back opportunity … extinguished by a few big forehands after another poor second-serve goes unbattered. Seconds later, Jabeur has her first match point…
Tauson does well to make 40-15, then two errors and she’s at deuce, two points from victory. She does, though, hang in there well to rush through deuce, so Oor Ons must now serve for the match – and we know she can struggle under pressure, also that she’s not in the greatest form.
Oh have a look! With nerves jangling at 30-all, Jabeur paints a tremendous forehand winner down the line, saluting the crowd arm aloft, then hammers down an ace for 6-4 5-3. She’s a game away!
Tuson plays a better game but a scrumptious backhand down the line earns Jabeur deuce, then, when down advantage, a forehand winner returns us to there. No matter, Tauson hangs in there and she remains in the match at 3-4, with plenty of scope for her opponent to get nervous with the line in sight.
Again, Jabeur struggles to consolidate, but at 30-all she finds a huge serve and cleans up at the net via forehand. Another decent serve follows, this time out wide, and a punishing backhand down the line takes her two games away at 6-4 4-2. I’d not be surprised if she breaks again next game.
You get the feeling Tauson sort of knows, and when she sits one up for Jabeur, a colossal forehand cross-court makes 0-30. A bad bounce then means she’s to chase a simple putaway which goes wide, but after opening the court Tauson thwcks her backhand long then sends a drop into the tramlines. At 3-2, Jabeur is nearly home.
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Tauson swings wildly and then makes a total mess of punishing a poor drop, shanking long; from 40-15 it’s now deuce, and coming in behind her serve she might let the ball bounce but instead sends a backhand into the tape. She doesn’t seem to have a strategy, just throwing hands whenever the opportunity presents itself … and it works well for her down advantage, a backhand cross-court regaining deuce. From there, she closes out, and Jabeur now leads 6-4 1-2.
Tauson gets herself deuce when Jabeur nets unnecessarily then, sent a moon ball, nets her overhead before a weak drop is given the treatment is deserves. We’re back on serve in set two, the break-back absolutely gifted.
Tauson is struggling to do anything with the drops she skates in to retrieve, Jabeur always there waiting to play the next shot. This gets her 0-30 and a swiped backhand means three break points at the start of set two; Tauson saves the first with a forehand winner but Jabeur has her on strings now, hauling her in to pass for 6-4 1-0.
Jabeur nets a forehand for 0-15 and I can’t shake the sense that her chance of winning a major has gone; I’m sure she’ll win here, but I can’t see her giving Gauff too much aggro in the quarters. Tauson then hits the top of the tape skidding in after a drop – that’s poor, I’m afraid – an ace follows – then another good service down the T, and though Tauson thinks it’s out, whinging at the umpire, she trails 4-6.
This is nowt to do with tennis, but nice; Tauson holds to make Jabeur serve for set one.
14.06.24. Our Mannschaft is ready... #OptimismBackInScotland #WeCan #Mannschaft pic.twitter.com/1Oms4bSTCh
— IRN-BRU (@irnbru) May 31, 2024
Tauson just doesn’t have the game to seriously trouble an operator as powerful, deft and canny as Jabeur – who holds comfortably for 5-3, the set now hers for the taking.
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Half a set in and Tauson resorts to the time-honoured strategy of giving it some welly. It’s doing nothing for her, Jabeur up 4-3 and still with a break.
Tauson holds for 2-3 and at change of ends, gets a soft warning for taking too long to serve; she blames the noisy crowd, and the umpire isn’t having any of it.
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Finalement! Jabeur dashes in and flicks a drop-retrieval across the face of the net, finally securing her consolidation and a 3-1 lead.
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Daniel Harris will take over again as this endless Jabeur service game goes on .. and on … maybe he’ll see an end to it.
We’re on our ninth deuce, Jabeur saving break point this time with her third ace of the match, powerfully struck down the T. Tauson then meekly backhands into the net and Jabeur will hope to finally eke this thing out.
Jabeur just cannot get out of this game. How many deuces? I’ve lost count. Tauson is hitting them big, that’s all I can say.
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A few groans and gripes from Tauson, but she’s really doing OK. She does well to Jabeur to deuce before a backhand is needlessly dragged into the net. Some fierce hitting brings us back to deuce – a rare occasion so far when Tauson has won an exchange around the net – before a Jabeur ace … and then a double fault. The game lingers on.
Jabeur breaks, peeling off a powerful forehand winner after a hefty baseline exchange. Didn’t feel like Tauson did much wrong in that game. Jabeur just never went away and her persistence was rewarded. It’s 1-2 and the No 8 seed will serve to back it up.
Stunning play from Jabeur. Her angles are immaculate, striking the backhand cross-court to run Tauson wide and then approaching the net to guide a deft volley to the other side. Deuce on the Dane’s serve.
Oof, a net chord goes in Jabeur’s favour, as Tauson comes short anticipating a drop-shot and it flies up into her face. No chance there. The Dane’s net approaches, in fact, are not yet paying dividends in these early stages. Jabeur holds for 1-1.
A fairly confident start from the hard-hitting 21-year-old, Tauson, with her style almost completely in contrast to that of Jabeur. Plenty of drop-shots already from the Tunisian in the opening game, which Tauson takes on serve, finishing with a big cross-court backhand.
OK, no rest for the wicked. Time for attention to turn to Tauson v Jabeur, with the crowd rather sparse on Lenglen after the changeover in matches. We’ll bring you some reaction from Alcaraz and Tsitsipas if/when we get it.
Carlos Alcaraz (3) beats Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3, 6-1
It all start to fall apart for the Canadian in the third set, but you have to put that down as a dominant Alcaraz display, storming into the quarter-finals in as good a shape as anyone in this men’s singles draw. Auger-Aliassime was hampered by injury, but he was put away by the No 3 seed in emphatic fashion.
Tsitsipas awaits Alcaraz in what promises to be a mouthwatering last eight clash.
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Good hold, that man. The groans there were a sign of how deep Auger-Aliassime was digging into his reserves just to get on the board in the third set. It’ll all be in vain, but he gets a good ovation anyhow.
Another double fault, another error into the net and Alcaraz breaks again. 4-0.
This is done and dusted, people.
Monday's order of play
COURT PHILIPPE-CHATRIER
(15) Elina Svitolina v Elena Rybakina (4)
(22) Emma Navarro v Aryna Sabalenka (2)
(1) Novak Djokovic v Francisco Cerundolo (23)
(4) Alexander Zverev v Holger Rune (13) - night game
COURT SUZANNE-LENGLEN
Elina Avanesyan v Jasmine Paolini (12)
(11) Alex De Minaur v Daniil Medvedev (5)
Varvara Gracheva v Mirra Andreeva
(12) Taylor Fritz v Casper Ruud (7)
An untimely double fault from Auger-Aliassime gifts another break point to Alcaraz. This feels like that Simpson’s meme now, you know the ‘stop, he’s already dead’ one.
Having said that, Alcaraz is on the stretch and puts a backhand wide, so we’re at deuce.
Alcaraz is 3-0 up in the third and the task for his Canadian opponent is now simply to get on the board in this set. He starts off with a drop volley, finally putting away Alcaraz with a lovely deft touch at the net.
Denmark’s Clara Tauson is next up on Suzanne Lenglen, taking on the might of Ons Jabeur. Tauson has won a few admirers in the past week in Paris, but this looks a big ol’ challenge.
Alcaraz has broken and Auger-Aliassime is looking increasingly broken, not just physically with that injury niggle, but mentally too. This should only be a matter of time now, as the unforced errors by Auger-Aliassime increase by the game.
Stefanos Tsitsipas (9) beats Matteo Arnaldi 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-2
After going a set down, it’s an impressive comeback from the big Greek. He’ll take some beating at this tournament, you know.
Tsitsi-passes the Arnaldi test ✅#RolandGarros @steftsitsipas pic.twitter.com/43ldGJzava
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2024
Tsitsipas is serving for the match against Arnaldi while Auger-Aliassime is made to labour on his own serve. No escape from Alcaraz etc etc.
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Thanks Daniel. It could all unravel rather quickly for Félix Auger-Aliassime unless he’s very careful here. A couple of sloppy volleys means Alcaraz has forced deuce on the Canadian’s first service game of the third set.
Arnaldi is still fighting – he’ll be so much better having experienced the intensity longevity of a five-setter against Tistsipas – and gets on the board in set four, down 2-1 and 4-1. Anyroad up, I’m off to sauna, so here’s Dominic Booth to croon you through the next hour … as Tsitsipas holds to 15, now a game away from the last eight.
Oh I say! Down 0-40, Auger-Aliassime saves one set point, but en route to the net he sees a backhand cross flying past him, and as he stretches for it in vain, you can see the thigh is bothering him. Alcaraz is just a total freak of nature, a powerhouse touched by creative genius, and he leads 6-3 6-3.
Alcaraz is enjoying himself now, stroking a backhand up the line for 6-3 5-3 and forcing Auger-Aliassime to serve to stay in set two. He can play better than he is, but this is a very good version of the world number three.
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Laughter in comms as Alcaraz chases out of court, backhand side, to caress a winner down the line; even he knows that’s ridiculous. But Auger-Aliassime holds to keep the set alive, while on Lenglen, Tsitsipas breaks for a econd time in set four and at 3-0, he’s nearly into the last eighrt.
More good work from Alcaraz, down 0-40 before winning six points – one a ridiculous retrieval at the net – on the spin for a 6-3 4-2 lead. There’s not a whole lot Auger-Alassime can do about this really; he’s good, but he’s nowhere near as good.
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Serving at deuce, Arnaldi punishes a backhand winner only for Tsitsipas to do likewise with his fore. And shonuff at the end of a five-minute game he elicits the errors that surrender the break and this match feels over now, the Greek up two sets to one with a break in the fourth.
Auger-Aliassime is still off and he’s found it hard enough to land on Alcaraz even without whatever knack he’s now got. But here he comes again, the Wimbledon champ looking very nice indeed.
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Back on Lenglen, Tsitsipas serves out with no alarms and no surprises, securing a 6-2 set and a 2-1 lead. Long way back now for Arnaldi, who’s played a superb match, and Auger-Aliassime disappears to be treated inside.
Great work from Arnaldi to hold for 2-5, forcing Tstsipas to serve for the set, and what a pass does Alrcaraz find, a backhand down the line securing a break for a lead of 6-3 3-2. This prompts Auger-Aliassime to call for the trainer, his left quad causing him problems, and he doesn’t look especially chuffed with things, wincing as it’s massaged.
Alcaraz is flowing nicely now, leaping and appearing to change his overhead winner in mid-air. It secures him a hold through deuce to lead 6-3 2-2 and decently though Auger-Aliassime is playing, you get the sense that if ever he finds a different level, his opponent will find one too, that’s just a bit higher.
Apostolos Tsitsipas, Stefanos’ dad and coach, has been chatting away throughout the match and Arnaldi is tiring – I’m not sure if those two aspects are connected but he might just’ve had enough of the noise. But he saves another break point as Alcaraz does likewise, only for Tsitsipas to hit the baseline with an overhead, and the Greek now leads by a double break in the thir at 4-1, the first two sets having been split. He then calls the trainer out, but it’s just for a chat by the looks of things.
Tsitsipas holds for 3-1 and it feels like he’s got the better “speed endurance” – to borrow a phrase Michael Johnson likes to use when chatting athletics. Which is to say that he looks able to play better for longer, and the same looks likely to be so on Chatrier, but Auger-Aliassime is still well in the match down 3-6 2-1.
Arnaldi saves two further break points, then another with a lovely delicate chop from the corner, and an ace eventually secures the hold which keeps set three alive. Tistsipas leads 3-6 7-6 2-1.
At 30-all, Auger-Aliassime has a chance, and when he nails a decent backhand, Alcaraz, advancing, is in trouble. But he somehow hops into a pick-up that sends the ball over the net, just, from there he serves out, and that’s the first set over at 6-3! The Wimbledon champ can play must better than this, but he’s still been good enough. Meantime Arnaldi, down two points for a double break, saves the first … and the second. He’s not going away, but Tsitsipas’ forehand is the key shot in the match now.
Auger-Aliassime saves three break points but can’t handle a third, Alcaraz seizing upon a shorter ball to secure a 5-3 lead; he’ll now serve for the first set.
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On Lenglen, both players take a break and on their return, Arnaldi finds himself down 15-40; he saves the first break point but not the second, Tsitsipas mashing a backhand winner for 1-0 in the third, and it may just be that momentum has switched here, the more experienced man in control.
On Chatrier, Auger-Aliassime and Alcaraz are level at 3-3, the Spaniard hitting it hard enough to suggest his forearm is fully healed.
Arnaldi is so solid, annihilating a backhand winner down the line for 4-3. This is such an engrossing contest, forehand and service excellence from Tsitsipas giving him 5-4. A fine rally follows, both men missing chances to win it, but it’s Arnaldi who errs first, missing a highish volley, he then wallops a forehand wide, and we’re at one set apiece! Tsitsipas found a way there, and the youngster will have to calm himself having lost a set he’ll feel he should’ve won; I can’t wait to see how this shakes out.
Arnaldi’s got such presence on the court and he does a fine job of making 6-6, pointing directly at his opponent before securing an immediate mini-break; he then goes long on the forehand for 1-1.
Up 2-1, Alcaraz gets himself break point on advantage, only to net a forehand, then an exchange of drop-shot winners returns us to deuce; Auger-Aliassime eventually holds for 2-2. On Lenglen, meanwhile, Tsitsipas – who’s finding more ways to get his forehand into the match now – holds for 6-5, Arnaldi now under pressure as he seeks to secure a breaker.
Having trailed 30-0, Tsitsipas levels the game with a booming forehand, then blazes a barely believable return cross-court; Arnaldi can only applaud. But he makes deuce when his opponent overhits, and this is very tense; the way the kid is playing, if he can get over the line here, I’d expect him to win the match. As I type, though, he sends down his first double of the match then goes well long on the forehand, and there’s the break back! It’s tough out there!
On Chatrier, Auger-Aliassime has made a fine start, breaking Alcaraz immediately … only to be broken back immediately. This has the makings of a proper contest.
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Consecutive doubles from Tsitsipas leave Arnaldi two points away from the second set, and when he wins a net exchange for 15-40, he wheels away in triumph. The no9 seed, though, is nobody’s patsy and makes deuce … only to thrash wide on the forehand! Arnaldi is asking a lot of questions here, his power inciting Tsitsipas to overhit, but the Greek finds the answers, forcing the youngster to serve for a 2-0 lead.
Arnaldi finds an awesome forehand down the line that gives him 40-0, but a lazy drop followed by two further errors bring us to deuce. If the Italian sees this out, he’ll feel very good about himself, and when he punishes a forehand winner, Tsitsipas discharges fury. And he’s no more jubilant when Arnaldi finds a winner and a huge serve to secure a game that ought to have been his time ago. He leads 6-3 5-3.
Alcaraz and Auger-Aliassime are readying to come on to court. I remember the first time Coach Calv saw the latter as a 16-year-old, and was amazed by how good he was. Problem being he’s not improved much since then, still with three major weaknesses: second serve, return and volleying, his rendition of them not dreadful but not good enough. Tennis players don’t really get time to improve, but Auger-Aliassime had four months during Covid and emerged from it the same player he went into it. All of which puts in mind Shane Warne’s saying that Monty Panesar hadn’t played 30 Tests, he’d played the same Test 30 times.
A delectable lob earns Arnaldi 3o-40, he pushes Tsitsipas to the backhand corner with his next return, and backing away to hit a forehand, the no9 seed can only net! At 6-3 3-2, he’s in a fantastic position, meaning grief for the Greek.
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Lovely length on the return allows Tsitsipas to drop for World Cup glory for 15-all, but Arnaldi is so solid, making 40-30 with a colossal serve-forehand combo move and securing the hold with another of weapons-grade. He leads 6-3 2-2.
Arnaldi larrups a return cross-court for a winner that, at 40-30, gives him a sniff. But Tsitsipas dominates the next point for hold for 3-6 2-1 and this match is on a rolling boil now.
A hold from Tsitsipas who then takes Arnaldi to deuce, thwacking from the back to make advantage. But a big first serve is returned long and when he misses again, Tsitsipas chunters to himself, disgusted by his largesse. And he’s equally unamused when netting a drop-recovery, Arnaldi now leading 6-3 1-1 – but pressure is growing.
Running in to pick up a drop, Tistsipas makes 0-15, and when Arnaldi goes long on the forehand, he’s a sniff. BUT HAVE A LOOK! Sent racing to the forehand corner, Arnaldi absolutely clobbers a fantastic winner down the line, a backhand return flies wide, and the youngster leads 6-3!
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Tistsipas holds to love in short oder, forcing Arnaldi to serve for the set at 5-3. P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E.
Arnaldi is being given a proper examination by Tistsipas – nothing is coming easily – but he retinas his break, leading 5-2 in the first.
Gauff says she’s been working hard on her footwork – she moved great today – and unusually for an American, she’s been lucky enough to play on clay since she was 10. She likes to slide after drop-shots, she says, then explains that after her morning warm-up they talk tactics for two or three minutes – not long. She likes to keep things simple, has played most players before so knows what they like to do, and also that they may change things up sop there’s no point being too fixed of mindset. She’s got her first-round doubles match today, and though, if she wins, she’ll be playing again tomorrow on her day off, this is what she loves to do and the rain means she’s actually done less than she’d have expected to by now.
Next on Chatrier (but not for 45 minutes): Felix Auger-Aliassime (21) v Carlos Alcaraz (3). De-cent!
Coco Gauff (3) beats Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1 6-2
A(nother) brilliant performance from Gauff, the match over is exactly an hour, and she meets Jabeur or Tauson next, looking a contender in every aspect.
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Arnaldi breaks Tsitsipas then consolidates for 4-1, and this match is hitting a decent level.
Gauff is feeling herself. Her lengths are so good, and it’s no great surprise to see her earn two points for a double-break and 5-2; she saves the first, but in control of the second – Gauff retrieves superbly – she doesn’t do enough with a drop, and for the second time in the game, sees her opponent race in, seize control of the rally, and secure a 6-1 5-2 lead. The American will now serve for the match.
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Tistsipas, by the way, has found a bit of form after a dodgy period, his serve and forehand firing. It’s still hard to see him winning a Slam unless he does a lot of work on his backhand, but the form he’s in, he can beat anyone in a one-off – and if he wins here, he meets Alcaraz or Auger-Aliassime next.
As all that was going on, Gauff broke Cocciaretto again for 6-1 3-1 – she’s nearly home – and Arnaldi hangs on to lead Tsitsipas 1-0.
We’re under way on Lenglen, and I’m looking forward to this one, Arnaldi is one of a stable of young Italians en route to the top of the men’s game – Flavio Cobolli, who ought to have beaten Holger Rune in round two, only to capsize in the fifth-set breaker is another. Down 30-40 in game one, he finds a second-serve ace, then facing a third break-point, he clumps a forehand winner on to the line. Already, this is intense.
Hang about! Cocciaretto makes 0-40 … so Gauff saves the first break-back point with an inside-out backhand winner, then second with a leaping forehand winner down the line … but a weak double of her own means Cocciaretto is on the board in set two, trailing 1-6 1-1. Do we got ourselves a ball-game?
Cocciaretto looks a little underpowered, I’m afraid to say. I’m not sure if that’s partly because her left leg is hurt, but she’s also made 13 unforced errors – relative to Gauff’s four – the combination not necessarily a winning one. And down 30-40, a weak double cedes the immediate break, and this looks like being another hiding.
A backhand swiped cross, and Gauff takes set one 6-1. She’s so solid now – you can assume she’ll beat everyone you assume she’ll beat – and though I’m not sure her forehand'll hold up in biggest matches, she’s a proper player now.
Brad Gilbert, Gauff’s coach, appears to have come in disguise.
Cocciaretto holds to avert the bagel and at 1-5 will be feeling a little better. Gauff will now serve for set one.
Gauff now leads Cocciarretto 5-0, and so far, this is a proper daughtering-off.
Next on Lenglen: Matteo Arnaldi v Stefanos Tsitsipas (9).
Vondrousova loves Lenglen and says the match was tough – Danilovic played “some amazing points” – but she focused until the end and it’s amazing to be in the quarter-finals again.
Marketa Vondrousova (5) beats Olga Danilovic 6-4 6-2
After an iffy start, Vondrousova was far too good for her young opponent and meets Iga Swiatek next; that should be a nice quiet night in at the library. Not. I don’t think. Danilovic, meanwhile, has plenty of talent but needs to find a more equilibrious court presence.
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Cocciaretto is taped up her left leg and Gauff is bullying her, zetzing from corner to corner as her opponent scurries, before finishing with an overhead. That means three points for a double-break and the US Open champ leads 4-0.
Gauff breaks Cocciaretto immediately for 2-0, then consolidates, as Danilovic again works a rally nicely only to net her swing volley, and she’s tearful out there. Real talk, it’s incredible we see as little of that as we do, given how much the players put into their careers and how intense the competition is, and Danilovic is gone, broken again. Vondrousova will shrtly serve for the match at 6-4 5-2.
Danilovic loves a chunter, and down 4-6 2-3 15-40, she gives herself what for then swings a lefty forehand that sends Vondrousova to the corner, only to send the clean-up down the line wide. This match is being taken away from her.
Gauff holds for 1-0 against Cocciaretto – of whom, I must confess, I’ve seen little. I’m looking forward to addressing that forthwith.
Vondrousova now leads Danilovic 6-4 3-1 while, on Chatrier, Cocciaretto – who seems very pleasant – and Gauff, who does too – are knocking up.
Danilovic forces a break point but goes long from the back – she’s as delighted by this development as you’d imagine – then again, with a huge target at which to aim. Vondrousova leads 6-4 2-0.
That win for Swiatek is the quickest since Graf beat Zvereva 6-0 6-0 in the 1988 final; Potapova won just 10 points.
Vondrousova breaks Danilovic immediatelty in set two, and this looks like another match that’s going to go as expected.
Next on Chatrier: Coco Gauff (3) v Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Swiatek says she was really focused and in the zone, not looking at the score and working on the things she wanted to. The balls are bouncing higher today, which is what she wants, but it’s still not warm and doesn’t feel like summer in Europe, but they’ll see how it goes today – even if the forecasts are imprecise. She then goes on to say that in her team is an ex-sailor, who helps her navigate Chatrier’s idiosyncratic winds, but she’s also got good at doing it herself.
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Talking of whom, Vondrousova is now in full control of their match, serving out for a come-from-behind 6-4 set.
Iga Swiatek (1) beats Anastasia Potapova 6-0 6-0
Ruthless from the champion and favourite, painful for the Russian and Swiatek, fearsome from the back, moves on to meet Danilovic or Vondrousova. Forty minutes, that took.
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I said Danilovic was serious but because of that she’s losing her temper with herself … though as I type, she clobbers a redemptive overhead for 4-4 40-30, baying at her box in celebration. She can’t close out though, and at deuce offers Vondrousova a wrong-footing pass down the line that she gleefully seizes upon. And though a decent volley, saves break point, a return towards the ankles converts another, and after a little sit-down, the Czech will serve for the set. And as for Swiatek, she now leads Potapova 6-0 5-0, which is to say Sunday morning bagels are on the agenda.
Here it comes! Down 0-6 0-1 0-40, Potapova blazes a forehand at Swiatek, then an inside-out winner followed by another down the line. Er yeah. She loses the next point in short order to trail by a set and a break; Vondrousova is now in charge on Lenglen, levelling at 4-4.
On Court 5, Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten have beaten Luke Johnson and Skander Mansouri in the men’s doubles; watch out for those two.
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Oh yes! A gorgeous lob from deep in the backhand corner raises break-back point, and a glorious, oblique stop-volley at the net cements in. We’re back on serve on Lenglen, Danilivoc leading Vondrousova 4-3.
Gosh, Potapova ends the set in the only way she can, a double to see herself broken to love and bagelled – in 19 minutes. Swiatek is hitting so cleanly off the ground, and Potapova just can’t get it going. Vondrousdova, though, is starting to settle – she’ll not get away with taking this long should she continue progressing – down 2-4 but up 0-30.
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This is ruthless from Swiatek, who consolidates her double break, and that classic which I semi-predicted looks on schedule: Potapova, now trailing 0-5, is already plotting her miraculous comeback.
Danilovic is a serious competitor and having spent time injured, at 23 is absolutely ravenous. Vondrousova is on the board now at 1-3 and started slowly in her last match too – she was bagelled in set one by Volynets – but the Serb won’t let her off the hook as easily. Swiatek, meantime, has broken Potapova again for 4-0, taking full advantage of the extra life granted her by Naomi Osaka.
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So we’ve had immediate breaks in both matches, Danilovic leading Vondrousova 3-0 and Swiatek up 2-0 in Potapova; the winners meet in the last eight.
Apologies, by the way: my mouse decided to cease operating hence my apparent disappearance, but I’ve remonstrated and it’s now back with us.
Our resident coach, Calv Betton – whose charges, Luke Johnson and Henry Patten, are playing each other in the men’s doubles as we speak – messages to say he was at the junior Davis Cup in 2016, and saw Swiatek play Potapova. At the time, it was the Russian seen as the next big thing with the Pole considered a good but not special player. A lot’s changed since then, of course, Coach Calv noting that Potapova has periods of being good and others of just whacking everything.
And off we go!
Out come our players…
Preamble
Salut tout le monde et bienvenue à Roland-Garros 2-24 – jour huit!
And what a jour it should be! We begin on Lenglen with Olga Danilovic – a qualifier in terrific form, having seen away Marta Trevisan, Danielle Collins and Donna Vekic – against Marketa Vondrousova, the 21 runner-up and reigning Wimbledon champion. Not bad.
Elsewhere, defending two-time champ Iga Swiatek meets Anastasia Potapova – who might just be finding her best self – before Coco Gauff faces the surging Elisabetta Cocciaretto, conqueror of Beatriz Haddad Maia and Liudmila Samsonova. Either of both could be classics.
Meantime, in the men’s competition we’ve an afternoon, Matteo Arnaldi – ejector of Andrey Rublev – taking on Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Felix Auger-Aliassime rucking Carlos Alcaraz. Toss in a bit of Hubie Hurkacz v Griggzy Dimitrov and Clara Tauson v Ons Jabeur, and we’ve got the day of the championships so far – by far. On y va!
Play: 11am local, 10am BST
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