Ruthless Sinner humbles Lehecka as Americans dig deep at French Open

RNZ News

3 days ago

Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner.
Photo:
Chryslene Caillaud /Psnewz
World number one Jannik Sinner flattened Jiri Lehecka into the French Open clay to make the fourth round, and Novak Djokovic also made a statement of intent, but a trio of American women led by Coco Gauff had to dig deep to progress on Saturday.
As grey skies enveloped Roland Garros in the morning, Sinner won the opening 11 games against Czech Lehecka as fans checked their watches against the scoreboard in disbelief.
Lehecka drew loud cheers when he finally got on the board, but Sinner continued his masterclass with brutal clarity to secure a 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 win.
"I think in early stages of Grand Slams it's good that you don't spend so much time, if you have the chance, on court. So I'm happy to do that," Sinner said.
"In the other way, matches like this can change quickly, because if you don't start well in one set, and the match can go long, and then you cannot control it."
Up next for Sinner is a clash with Andrey Rublev, who advanced after injured Frenchman Arthur Fils pulled out.
Novak Djokovic at the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros.
Photo:
© Dante Badano / PsnewZ 2025
Djokovic was scheduled for the evening slot on Chatrier at the same time as Paris St Germain were thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 to win the Champions League in Munich.
Despite the roars from the neighbouring Parc de Princes where fans watched the final on screens, and exploding fireworks, Djokovic stayed laser-focused on the job in hand to beat Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic 6-3, 6-,4 6-2 for his 99th Roland Garros win.
Djokovic has matched his total of Australian Open wins, and the three-time French Open champion, yet to drop a set here this year, can reach 100 if he beats Britain's Cameron Norrie next as he continues his quest for a historic 25th Grand Slam title.
Former Wimbledon champion and French Open runner-up Marketa Vondrousova claimed the opening set against American Jessica Pegula, but the third seed was too good when it mattered to close out a 3-6 6-4 6-2 win.
She will next face Lois Boisson, who won the all-French clash against Elsa Jacquemot 6-3 0-6 7-5.
Second seed Coco Gauff also had trouble against a Czech but came through a shaky second set to beat Marie Bouzkova 6-1, 7-6(3) before Madison Keys saved three match points to beat compatriot Sofia Kenin 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Eight American women and men have advanced to the last 16, matching the country's record from 1985.
Third seed Alexander Zverev sparkled as sunshine parted the clouds in the afternoon, the German downing Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-1 to reach the fourth round in Paris for an eighth consecutive year.
Zverev next faces Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, who outlasted American Ethan Quinn 4-6, 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-4.
US tennis player Coco Gauff during the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros.
Photo:
PHOTOSPORT
Russian 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva outclassed Kazakh Yulia Putintseva 6-3, 6-1 on Court Suzanne Lenglen, and the sixth seed attributed the comfortable win to a colourful drawing a young supporter left on her bench.
"Wherever that little girl is, I want to thank her, because it's my lucky charm," added sixth seed Andreeva, who became the youngest woman to complete 10 Roland Garros singles match wins since Swiss two-time runner-up Martina Hingis.
Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa would have wished for a bit of luck against a dominant Daria Kasatkina but bowed out 6-1, 7-5 to the Russian-born 17th seed who now represents Australia.
"I was ready for a difficult match," said Kasatkina, who can expect another big test against Andreeva next.
"I knew if she got a chance, she would take it straight away. But I'm really proud of myself and how I handled the situation."
Fifth seed Jack Draper's campaign continued in style when the Briton ended Brazilian poster boy Joao Fonseca's run with a crushing 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 victory.
"How old is he, 18? Pretty impressive. I mean, I'm 23, so that's five years, and the amount I've changed in one year, so I think he just needs time," a generous Draper said.
"I think it's only going to go up for him. I think it's going to be scary what he's going to be able to achieve."
With Draper's win and Norrie later beating compatriot Jacob Fearnley, Britain has two men in the last 16 at the French Open for the first time since 1963.
- Reuters