Otherwise, thanks all for your company and see you tomorrow at 10am BST.
That, then, is us for the day, so before we depart, a rundown of where we’re up to: Keys leads Zarazua 6-3 1-0; Goffin leads Mpetshi Perricard 4-6 6-4 1-0; Mannarino leads Zeppieri 5-3; Navarro leads Sonmez 4-2; and Mirra Andreeva leads Bektas 2-1 with a break.
Evans makes 15-all, then Rune plays a backhand in response to a deep slice, the ball flicking the tape and flying out. Rune, though, responds with a decent serve on to the T then, after Evans retrieves well, he hammers down an overhead for 40-15, a return drops wide, and that’s a 6-4 set for the 13 seed.
I mentioned earlier that Mpetshi Perricard is going for everything and it’s starting to cost him; Goffin is keeping the ball in play, has won 12 of the last 13 points, and now leads 1-0 with a break in set three.
Evans thinks he’s saved break point with a drop, but Rune flicks it back and the ball dies; perhaps the Brit’s feet were ill-placed. Either way, he trails 4-5 and the number 13 seed will now serve for set one.
Excellent work from Goffin: he holds to love and levels the match at one set apiece.
Less good work from Goffin: his rig, which comes with shocking pink trainers. As soon as I’ve a decent photo, I shall share.
Evans now leads Rune 4-3 on serve and this match is shaping up: both men are attacking the ball with zest and though I suspect the Brit will need to take this first set if he’s to win, he’s got every chance of so doing. Meantime on 14, Mpetshi Perricard leads Goffin 6-4 4-4, but now faces two break points … and the veteran only needs one, a decent volley inciting a shanked forehand. He’ll now serve for the second set…
That angle from Dan Evans 😯#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/W3oBtzHsDI
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 28, 2024
Zeppieri is, I’ve been advised, a player, and he looked like one at Wimbledon. But Mannarino is tricky, a lefty who looks for angles, and he breaks immediately, now leading 2-1.
Back with Mpetshi Perricard, I can confirm that he’s got something – and not just good tennising, but the kind of competitive charisma that can, if the technique is there and it seems to be, underpin something special He now leads Goffin 6-4 3-2, on serve in the second, and though he’ll probably need to rein himself in at some point – he’s probably too loose to contest the big pots – I very much like what I see.
Taylor Fritz (12) beats Federico Coria 2-6 6-1 6-2 6-1
He meets Lajovic next.
Facing break point, Evans hits hard from the back and eventually Rune goes long; he then closes out for 2-2, while Keys saves break-back point then breaks Zarazua a second time to lead 5-1.
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Rinderknech has beaten Walton 6-2 6-4 7-5; Mahac has beaten Borges 7-6 6-4 6-3; and Fritz leads Coria 2-6 6-1 6-2 4-1.
It seems unlikely that, if Madison Keys ever wins a Slam, this’ll be the one, but you never know, and she leads Zarazua 2-1 with a break.
On Lenglen, Rune and Evans are away, Evans holding, for 1-0 while Mpetshi Perricard holds then raises two set points at 5-4 15-40 … and he only needs one, Goffin responding to a thunderous return by sending a forehand wide. That’s three games in a row for the youngster, who wins the set 6-4 from 3-4 down; impressive behaviour.
Anna Blinkova beats Sorona Cirstea (28) 6-3 3-6 7-6(5)
She meets Avanesyan next.
Updated
Next on Court 7: Giulio Zeppieri v Adrian Mannarino. That should be good.
Elise Mertens (25) beats María Lourdes Carlé 6-3 7-6(8)
Again, Carle is done by her poor second serve and Mertens meets Martic next. That should be fun.
Oh dear, Carle totally botches a second serve, ball barely reaching net, handing Mertens the mini-break; she leads 8-7 in a race to 10 … but it’s immediately confiscated, exactly what happens to Goffin’s break when Mpetshi Perricard punishes a forehand down the line. He doesn’t wait to be asked – he’s going for everything, all the time.
On Lenglen, Evans and Rune are warming up, while on 7, Mertens and Carle are locked at 6-6 in a second-set breaker.
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We resume, Goffin quickly making 0-40; Mpetshi Perricard saves the first two break-points, but the Belgian rides a second serve to power a forehand return down the line for a straight winner; he leads 4-3.
Sake. With Goffin up 0-30 on the Mpetshi Perricard serve, the score 3-3, the rain comes down again. And Goffin isn’t happy, noting that Court 14 is renowned as the worst for handling rain and that it needs to be safe.
It really is crazy how many fine French tennisers we have these days and Mpetshi Perricard looks the biznis. He leads Goffin 3-2 on serve.
Ah, it’s stopped again. Good.
Ach, it’s raining again – more heavily now. So when Evans and Rune show, theirs will be the only match in progress.
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Next on Lenglen: Dan Evans v Holger Rune (13).
Daria Kasatkina (10) beats Magdalena Frech 7-5 6-1
She meets Stearns or Ciric Bagaric next; currently the former leads 6-3 5-4.
Frech resists gamely, forcing Kasatkina to decue, but she holds nonetheless and now, at 7-5 5-1, is a game away from round two.
For what it’s worth, Mpetshi Perricard is still out there … and whaddaya know, it’s stopped raining, so clay being clay, we’ll back under way in a second.
Kasatkina breaks Frech again to lead 7-5 4-1, then it starts raining again, meaning this is our only match in progress.
Next on Mathieu: Madison Keys (14) v Renata Zarazúa.
Alex de Minaur (10) beats Alex Michelsen 6-1 6-0 6-2
That’s a very impressive performance but it gets harder in round two, Munar or Bautista Agut his next opponent.
De Minaur, meanwhile, is serving for the match leading Michelsen 6-1 6-0 5-2, and he too will fancy himself, the highest seed in his eighth Daniil Medvedev.
Martic has now beaten Mladenovic 6-4 6-4 and Rus has seen off Kerber 6-4 6-3, but Mertens, after winning set one, is a break down in set two against Carle, while Blinkova – who beat Rybakina in a belter at Flushing Meadow – leads Cirstea by a break in the third.
I’ve now binned Fritz, level at a set apiece with Coria but up a break, to watch Goffin v Mpetshi Perricard. I picked the latter as my best home hope and since then, he’s won Lyon; the veteran Belgian should be a really good test for him.
Ha! Tomás Martín Etcheverry bought a dog, quite some time ago, which he called Ronald-Garros – and now look. No one will fancy meeting him, and with Ruud being the highest seed in his eighth, the last eight looks a decent and attainable target.
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Kasatkina follows her break to win set one with a further break to lead in set two; Frech has work to do, but is playing pretty well. Meanwhile, Fritz now leads Coria 2-6 6-1 1-0 with a break; Martic is serving for match leading Mladenovic 6-4 5-4; Mertens leads Carle 6-3 3-4; Rus leads Kerber 6-4 4-2; and Cirstea has just levelled her match with Blinkova at 3-6 6-3.
Next on Chatrier: Novak Djokovic v Pierre-Hugues Herbert (but in the night session).
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Sabalenka thanks the crowd, acknowledging that it’s raining so they had no choice but to watch her; Alex Corretja lets her know that we’re now playing all over.
She’s trying to do well on clay, she says, and also to have fun – which you can’t do if you’re not playing your best. She’s good at drops in practice, she says, and is now able to integrate them into her power-game, making her opponents think.
Aryna Sabalenka (2) beats Erika Andreeva 6-1 6-2
That was a good match and good first-round test for Sabalenka. She meets Burillo Escorihuela or Uchijima next, while Andreeva will be much better for that contest; I’m looking forward to seeing her again.
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Andreeva’s resistance looks to be expiring: Sabalenka breaks her for a second time in the second set and will shortly serve for the match, 6-1 5-2 to the good.
She burns two set points, but Kasatkina eventually holds on to hold and now leads Frech – who’s played well – 7-5. Meanwhile, Fritz leads Coria 4-1 in set two, having lost the first 6-2.
On Chatrier, Andreeva is enjoying herself, still a break down but really leaning into her shots, and when Sabalenka goes long on the backhand, she has a deuce to try and parlay into a break. And have a look! The world number 2 pounds a forehand wide … then lands the exact same shot inside the lines and quickly closes out for 6-1 4-2. The teenager is making her work.
Eeesh, De Minaur has bagelled Michelsen to lead 6-1 6-0 – imagine how much he’s relishing the third – while Frech goes long from the back, handing Kasatkina a break and the chance to serve for the first set at 6-5.
I know Fritz probably thinks clay is for making models, but he’s the number 12 seed so I’ve switched from watching De Minaur to watch him; he’s now a break up in set two.
And the rest of the relevant scores: Frech 5-5 Kasatkina, De Minaur 6-1 5-0 Michelsen, Martic 6-4 2-2 Mladenovic, Mertens 6-3 Carle, Rus 6-4 Kerber, Blinkova 6-3 1-2 Cirstea, Fritz 2-6 1-0 Coria.
Righto, Daniel back in the seat. Andreeva may have broken Sabalenka back, but Sabalenka then seized the advantage again; she leads 6-1 2-1 0-15.
Sabalenka kicks off the second set with a break – but Andreeva isn’t done yet and breaks straight back to level things at 1-1.
Elsewhere, De Minaur leads Michelsen by a set and double break, while Frech has broken back to square the first set with Kasatkina at 4-4.
Andreeva punishes a terrific backhand down the line – she can play – but Sabalenka holds to secure a 6-1 set; she is awesome. I’m now off to do the school run, but stick with us as coverage continues…
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Kasatkina breaks Frech for 2-1 while Andreeva is too slow on a booming Sabalenka forehand – the only answer is to shorten the backswing which leaves her facing deuce – and on advantage, a double means she now trails 1-5.
Andreeva has started well, but the barrage Sabalenka unleashes is too much and earns her a break; she leads 4-1.
De Minaur takes the first set off Michelsen 6-1 and he’s another who’s taken big strides this year. I wonder if clay might end up being his best surface too, as it’s where his major strength – scurrying and retrieving – is most useful, and his biggest weakness – not enough power to hit winners – is least noticed.
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Frech and Kasatkina are also away now, and I think the latter improved a lot last year. She lacks the weapons – or a a weapon – to compete with the very best in the big competitions, but she remains a very fine player. She sticks Frech in; Frech holds for 1-0.
I am congenitally incapable of mentioning dear Ronald without posting this:
Ian Bell smashes the world “like I say” record into tiny little pieces. pic.twitter.com/qvEOJ4SACX
— Daniel Harris (@DanielHarris) August 1, 2019
Does Alex de Minaur look like Ian Ronald Bell?
Sabalenka, meanwhile, though not perfectly suited to clay, hits the ball hard enough – harder than any woman ever to play the game, I fancy – to be a factor on any surface. For a while, she struggled to handle pressure, but has since won two Aussie Opens on the spin having also made the US final, and is close to full sporting maturity.
Andreeva and Sabalenka are away, Sabalenka holding quickly for 1-0. I’ve not seen much of Andreeeva Snr – her younger sister was one of the heroes of last year’s Wimbledon aged just 16 – whereas Erika is a sage 19.
OK, for now I’ve gone for De Minaur (11) 2-0 Michelsen. Real talk, though, the most interesting matches – Evans v Rune, Goffin v Mpetshi Perricard, Zeppieri v Mannarino, Boulter v Badosa and Putintseva v Stephens – come later on.
Updated
We’re back away on the outside courts! Gimme a few and I’ll work out which matches Im going to watch.
Next on Lenglen: Magdalena Frech v Daria Kasatkina (10)
Next on Chatrier: Erika Andreeva v Aryna Sabalenka (2)
Tomás Martín Etcheverry (28) beats Arthur Cazaux 3-6 6-2 6-1 6-4
That was a tremendous match – we’re going to have a lot of fun watching Cazaux these next few years – but it’s Etcheverry who moves on to meet Walton or Rinderknech.
And now a bodacious forehand raises break-back point! We saw what a player Cazaux can be in Melbourne, where he beat Holger Rune, and the crowd go wild for him … only for Etcheverry to send him hurtling into the hoarding in pursuit of a high-bouncing overhead. We’re back at deuce.
On Lenglen, Etcheverry is serving for the match at 5-4 in set four; Cazaux has just caressed a backhand winner down the line for 30-all.
Ruud is delighted to be back on Chatrier and thinks he played pretty well today looking for his groove. He was quite steady, not too many unforced errors, and played well in Geneva last week (he won). He’s had a decent season, like many he looks forward to this tournament, and hopes to have another good one.
He thinks the temperature makes the court slower and the ball bounce lower, and with the roof closed the added humidity does similarly. That’s interesting as yesterday I’m sure we were told that the roof speeds things up; we shall see.
Casper Ruud (7) beats Felipe Meligeni Alves 6-3 6-4 6-3
Ruud has far tougher battles to come, but he was competent enough in getting this one done; he faces Davidovich Fokina or Vacherot next.
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And spare a thought for the dubs types: all dubs matches have been cancelled for today – even though Luke Johnson and Skander Mansouri, so presumably others too, were walking to court when the most recent rain started.
Thanks Yara and hi everyone; this is a nause isn’t it? The first week of Slams is for us to watch a million matches at once, devouring surprise classics and memorable shocks, nut here we are. The good news, though, is that we should soon have play on all courts, and if so, we’re in for a good few hours.
That is all from me for today, so I leave you in the capable hands of Daniel Harris to take you through the rest of today’s action including the conclusion of these two matches. Thanks for joining me!
Etcheverry 3-6 6-2 6-1 4-3 Cazaux* (denotes server) Some double faults for Cazaux early on but he gets the reward for being the more aggressive player. Etcheverry is not hitting his shots as precisely anymore and they’re drifting too central. He looks over at his team with worry etched on his face but he manages to make it 40-40 with a fantastic drop shot that Cazaux nets.
The Argentine takes the advantage and then does get the break of serve.
An email from a reader has come in!
After pointing out a mistake on my part (thank you!), Olga asks if I think the grand slams will go to best of three for the men’s first week?
It’s hard to say! We’ve seen some change in the doubles, of course, but I think a lot of people like ‘tradition’. Though, if more and more players talk about fatigue and how it impacts their performances, then maybe?
*Etcheverry 3-6 6-2 6-1 3-3 Cazaux (denotes server) The crowd is really trying to motivate Cazaux despite the umpire’s best efforts to calm things down. Etcheverry responds by double faulting. Is the noise getting to him?
Cazaux goes 30-0 up after mistakes from the Argentine but Etcheverry gets one back with a fantastic drop shot that Cazaux strains and fails to get to. It does not deter the crowd though, who only get louder in their support of Cazaux. The roof that is protecting the court from the rain may be blown off due to the noise at this point.
He responds with some of his best tennis since the first set with an incredible forehand that is as straight as an arrow to take an advantage and then closes out the set another before gesturing for more cheers.
Ruud takes the second set 6-4 against Alves
Ruud found himself under pressure after Alves continued to defend his set serves with a couple of flying forehands. But the most crucial one is sent long and the Norwegian is two sets up in just under 80 minutes.
Updated
*Etcheverry 3-6 6-2 6-1 2-0 Cazaux (denotes server) The Argentine continues to absorb the big hits from Cazaux before forcing him into a weirdly hit forehand to go 15-0 up. He wins the next two points with ease and takes the game with a dropshot winner.
Etcheverry takes the third set 6-1 against Cazaux
The Frenchman looks exhausted. His energy has dipped significantly and the 28th seed is taking advantage by dragging out long rallies, with the Argentine winning 10 of the last 11 sets.
Updated
Alves 3-6 1-2 Ruud* (denotes server) Ruud holds and, again, Alves can’t keep up with his opponent’s pace. But he wins the third game of the second set after hitting two back-to-back winners.
Updated
Etcheverry 3-6 6-2 5-1 Cazaux* (denotes server) The Frenchman had to take a medical timeout due to some cramping in his thighs and hands. He is back on the court now but as he serves, he is constantly shaking his arm, trying to relieve some of the pain. And maybe possible nerves as well?
He makes it 40-15 by keeping the point short, the winner a spinning forehand near the net. But Etcheverry responds and gains advantage with a crosscourt backhand before breaking after Cazaux nets.
Ruud takes the first set 6-3 against Alves
Some thumping shots from the Brazilian are just not enough. Ruud is just too good on clay and is quickly able to maneuver around. Only one break is needed as he takes the first set in 47 minutes.
Updated
*Alves 3-5 Ruud (denotes server) A break! Some good serving from Alves which troubles Ruud. And he thinks he has the winner but the umpire confirms it is out.
Ruud takes the luck and produces a whizzing forehand before taking the game after Alves’s return clips the net and goes out.
Etcheverry takes the second set 6-2 against Cazaux
You could hear a pin drop as Etch takes the second set, with the home crowd clearly disappointed. But the 28th seed has piled on the pressure. He has managed to slow the game down and force Cazaux closer to the net with each shot before hitting them near the baseline.
Players were warming up on the outdoor courts but the covers are back on as the rain in Paris has picked up again. The wait continues for the rain rain to go away.
Etcheverry 3-6 4-2 Cazaux* (denotes server) The home favourite is now under huge pressure as he fights to keep his serve … And he loses it after a double fault.
Alves 1-1 Ruud* (denotes server) The seventh seed under some early pressure as he fails to deal with a fantastic backhand.
Updated
*Etcheverry 3-6 3-2 Cazaux (denotes server) This match seems like a game of tug-of-war. Etcheverry is trying to calm things down and silence the crowd by playing slow and patient, waiting for the right moment to take a shot. Cazaux, on the other hand, is so go good at playing quick on his feet, and spotting early opportunities to go for the tough winner.
It seemed Cazaux was winning the game of tug-of-war, with the Frenchman hitting an incredible drop shot but after netting in a 23-shot rally it was Etcheverry who comes away with the fifth game in the second set.
Up next on Philippe Chatrier, the seventh seed Casper Ruud will face Brazil’s qualifier, Felipe Alves.
The Norwegian is fresh from a tournament win in Geneva after playing the semi-final and final on Saturday.
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Alize Cornet gets a farewell ceremony after her final tennis match of her career. She is in tears as she thanks her family and friends and the French fans.
Wishing you the best. Congrats, @alizecornet #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/NSDbt7Dhle
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 28, 2024
Cazaux takes the first set 6-3 against Etcheverry
A bit more space has opened up for Etcheverry to maneuver and he seems to find his rhythm when defending Cazaux’s serve.
The two get to 40-40 and then alternate between gaining advantages. But the Frenchman takes the set by hitting a speeding ace before forcing the 28th seed close to the net. Cazaux lifts his fist to the crowd in celebration as they cheer him on after about an hour of play.
Zheng [7] beats Cornet 6-2 6-1
Wow! Zheng breaks on her fourth match point to book her spot into round two. Cornet is visibly emotional as she waves to the French crowd. She announced earlier that she is planning on retiring after this tournament. It was her 20th appearance at Roland-Garros and her 69th appearance in a grand slam.
*Zheng 6-2 5-1 Cornet (denotes server) Cornet is just unable to deal with Zheng’s groundstrokes. The Chinese No 1 is able to force her opponent into errors after the double break.
Updated
*Etcheverry 2-4 Cazaux (denotes server) The Argentine tries to push it to another level after failing to silence the crowd and he just about manages with some better serving. He gets the advantage and it is an important hold.
Updated
*Etcheverry 1-3 Cazaux (denotes server) It may be gloomy and grey in Paris but it is anything but on Suzanne Lenglen. To start the fourth game, Etcheverry plays a fantastic drop shot but Cazaux gets there in time and hit a shot that whips low across the net and just out of reach for his opponent. The crowd love it and that is the longest rally of the match so far, with 11 shots.
Cazaux is playing well so far, and is taking advantage of Etcheverry’s poor serves. The Frenchman is eating up the second serve. Is the crowd getting to the Argentine?
This match has be so physical so far. Both players are making each other work to get to the ball from the get-go, rather than paying the patience game. They will both be feeling it in their legs later on.
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Zheng takes the first set 6-2 against Cornet
Tricky start for Cornet. The seventh seed has played well with highlights including some fantastic cross-court backhands and strong serves.
Updated
Etcheverry 0-1 Cazaux* (denotes server) This already looks to be a fun match. The Frenchman takes the first game after some great forehands and a spinning serve. The crowd absolutely love it. “Arthur! Arthur! Arthur!” chants are being sung every time anything goes his way.
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The Montpellier-born Cazaux certainly has the support behind him. Looks like a couple of his friends are in the crowd leading the chants.
Next up, we will be following the match between Tomás Martín Etcheverry and Arthur Cazaux and the rest of Qinwen Zheng against Alize Cornet.
The roofs are still up on Suzanne Lenglen and on Philippe Chatrier as it is still raining in Paris. Games on the other courts have been pushed back until 1pm local time (which is in 19 minutes) and may be pushed back further.
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In case you missed the action yesterday, Rafa Nadal bowed out at what could be his final French Open match after a first round loss against Alexander Zverev.
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2024
And the defending champion, Iga Swiatek, set up a match with Naomi Osaka after defeating Leolia Jeanjean in straight sets.
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On Court Philippe Cartier, the Australian Open runner-up Qinwen Zheng is up 3-0 in the first set against home favourite Alize Cornet.
Rybakina speaks after her win on being back at Roland-Garros:
Last year I missed this tournament, and it was really hard. Really happy to be back and to compete here.
On playing in rainy weather:
The ball is a little bit heavier. You need to move better. It’s different, but that is tennis you need to adjust to the rainy weather.
On what she does in Paris between matches:
Just staying calm, watching something maybe and try to mentally prepare for the matches.
Very short answers from the world No 4. She may be a bit frustrated that she was not able to close out the match and the soonest possible moment.
But then again, the world No 4 has always been quite subdued and it was a strong performance overall despite the nervy moments.
Rybakina [4] beats Minnen 6-2 6-3
Rybakina is once again serving for the game. Mennin is anticipating Rybakina’s shots better now and the first rally of the game ends after the world No 4 way overhits a forehand. But Rybakina responds with a couple of killer first serves. The width on them are just too hard to defend against.
We’re at match point one again and … Rybakina misses a sure shot to end the game, placing it well out!
Third time lucky, and Rybakina finally ends it and books her spot in round two of the French Open.
*Minnen 2-6 3-5 Rybakina (denotes server) Minnen has a chance to prolong her good form but her second serve is not there today. She opens up the game by netting one at the bottom of the net. However she manages to go 40-15 up and takes the game after a short rally. Wow!
Minnen 2-6 2-5 Rybakina* (denotes server) Rybakina was serving for the match but fails to close it out! Minnen earns a break after forcing some errors and finding a surge of energy. When she pushes Rybakina to the baseline, she is really able to gain an advantage.
*Minnen 2-6 1-5 Rybakina (denotes server) Rybakina pushes her return further and further back to win advantage in the game after a few shaky moments. And she gets the break of serve after a powerful backhand.
Minnen 2-6 1-4 Rybakina* (denotes server) This has become an incredibly uneven match, if that was not clear. But Minnen gets on the board in this second set after a few unforced errors from Rybakina and some well-hit backhand shots from Minnen.
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*Minnen 2-6 0-4 Rybakina (denotes server) Minnen is posing question after question for the world No 4 but she seemingly has all the answers. Despite the one receiving the serve, it is Rybakina who is making her opponent move all across the court with strong forehands and dropshots. Once again, it is break point and Rybakina deals with the second serve quickly.
Minnen 2-6 0-3 Rybakina* (denotes server)
The games in which Rybakina serve end much more quickly with a few aces to wrap things up.
Nine games in a row with wins for Rybakina in this match. Minnen is not able to get a sniff.
We get a quick shot of the other courts in Paris and they’re all drenched because of the rain. Games have been pushed back to 12.15pm local time.
*Minnen 2-6 0-2 Rybakina (denotes server) Rybakina is, of course, known as a big hitter and accurate server. But she has recently been adding these precise drop shots to her game that have made her much more well rounded. Minnen just can’t keep up.
Minnen 2-6 0-1 Rybakina* (denotes server) Wow! Great effort from Minnen. Rybakina hits her shots all over the court but the Belgian twists her body and manages to return every single ball, her last backhand flying over Rybakina to the baseline.
But Rybakina is keeping her at bay and only allows her opponent to briefly get her hopes up before a few flying aces to take the first game of the second set.
Rybakina takes the first set 6-2 against Minnen
Minnen isn’t down and out yet as her varied shots finally get the better of Rybakina. The crowd cheers her on as the underdog but the latter brings out a beautiful drop shot and after a couple of powerful forehands, she wraps up the set in dominant fashion. Think the world No 4 just needed a couple of extra minutes to warm up after those six unforced errors in a row.
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Minnen 2-5 Rybakina* (*denotes server) Great from Minnen early on who sends Rybakina the wrong way on a return. She then hits back with a great slice to try to move Rybakina around but the world No 4 is better at that game and Minnen can only watch as the ball flies past her.
Minnen is playing better as she tries to vary her shots. At 40-30 she plays a nice drop shot, but again Rybakina is able to anticipate it and win the point. She then wins the advantage and wraps up the game with ease.
*Minnen 2-4 Rybakina (*denotes server) After getting some advice from her coach, Minnen tries to longer serves but annoyingly for her, Rybakina’s strike zone is so large given her stature. It takes real precision to hit her weak areas. The world No 4 wins that game without her opponent winning a singe point.
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Minnen 2-3 Rybakina* (*denotes server) A couple of quick aces wrap up this game incredibly quickly. Rybakina is known for her incredible serve that is extremely difficult to defend, a lesson that Minnen is learning in real time.
*Minnen 2-2 Rybakina (*denotes server) Minnen’s second serve lets her down early on but some good play from both players gets us at 40-40. A short rally ends in Rybakina netting a volley, but she gains the advantage after taking advantage of Minnen’s poor positioning. It is a break back and we’re all tied.
Minnen 2-1 Rybakina* (*denotes server) Rybakina is on the board! She finishes it quick after returning back to back serves with incredible pace.
A reminder of some of the notable matches scheduled for today:
Felipe Alves v Casper Ruud – 12:15pm
Katie Boulter v Paula Badosa – 1:15pm
Erika Andreeva v Aryna Sabalenka – 14:15pm
Dan Evans v Holger Rune – 14:30pm
Novak Djokovic v Pierre-Hugues Herbert – 7:30pm
Right now, Minnen v Rybakina is the only match in action due to the rainy weather in Paris.
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*Minnen 2-0 Rybakina (*denotes server) Extraordinary. The first six points of this match were unforced errors by the world No 4. And after finally getting a couple points on the board she then nets a shot and seems to lose her rhythm again. Minnen then uses some tricky shots near the net to round out the game.
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Minnen 1-0 Rybakina* (*denotes server) A very ropey start for Rybakina with four unforced errors.
Preamble
Good morning all! Bienvenue to Paris for day three of the French Open. Some big names are in action this morning, so lets not waste any more time.
Elena Rybakina, the world No 4, is warming up for her opening match of the tournament. She takes on Belgium’s Greet Minnen. Tuesday’s full order of play can be viewed here.
