Gauff, Keys set up all-American clash

Express Tribune

2 days ago

Winner Coco Gauff of US shakes hands with Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova at the end of their women's singles match at French Open on Monday. PHOTO: AFP
Second seed Coco Gauff brushed aside Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-0 7-5 on Monday to set up an all-American French Open quarter-final clash with Madison Keys and stay on course for her first title in Paris.
Madison Keys fought off a late challenge from fellow American Hailey Baptiste to book her spot in the quarter-finals with a 6-3 7-5 victory.
Gauff, who got to the final in 2022 and semi-finals last year, is the youngest American player to reach at least the fourth round at seven consecutive Grand Slams since Venus Williams between 1997-1999.
Five American women and three American men reached the fourth round in Paris this year to equal a 40-year-old record.
Russian teenager Mirra Andreva also punched her last eight ticket after overcoming Australian 17th seed Daria Kasatkina 6-3 7-5 to become the youngest player to reach back-to-back French Open quarter-finals in nearly three decades.
Gauff, the world number two, must have thought she would have an easy morning session after powering through the first set in sensational fashion but 20th seed Alexandrova bounced back in the second to test her opponent.
The 21-year-old Gauff started fast, earning three consecutive breaks for a 5-0 lead in 15 minutes as she ran her opponent ragged across the baseline. The 30-year-old Alexandrova, bidding to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final, earned a mere five points until that stage.
Gauff, who has now won four of their five meetings, gave away five break points in the next game but still secured her first bagel of the tournament.
In the men's draw three-times champion Novak Djokovic takes on Briton Cameron Norrie, with the Serbian seeking his 100th win on the red clay at Roland Garros, a feat achieved only by retired 14-times champion Rafa Nadal.
The winner will face Germany's Alexander Zverev, last year's finalist, who advanced after his opponent, Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor retired midway through the second set with an abdominal injury.
Zverev has reached his seventh French Open quarter-final in the last eight years as he looks to secure a maiden Grand Slam title.
Sinner sets sights on French Open quarters
Jannik Sinner will seek to light up the night session on Monday as the top seed clashes with Andrey Rublev for a place in the French Open quarter-finals.
Italy's Sinner will look to continue his quest to make it three Grand Slam titles in a row when he takes on Russian 17th seed Rublev.
The pair have met nine times in their career with Sinner holding the edge with six wins to three, but the former world number five emerged the victor in their only previous meeting at Roland Garros at the same stage in 2022.
Sinner retired injured from that encounter but should come into Monday's headline match in fine nick after limiting his time on court so far this tournament by winning all his matches in straight sets.
However, his opponent has spent even less time playing after receiving a walkover past France's Arthur Fils in the third round.
"I have to be very careful. Andrey is an incredible player. I have to be focused. He's rested. So let's see what's coming," said Sinner.
Musetti swings past Rune into French Open quarters
Lorenzo Musetti's impressive claycourt season rolled on in style on Sunday when the Italian craftsman downed the talented yet erratic Holger Rune 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-2 to reach the French Open quarter-finals for the first time.
World number seven Musetti, who will take on American 15th seed Frances Tiafoe for a place in the last four, adjusted to the Dane's shift to a swashbuckling approach to keep his title hopes alive in a year that has seen him steady his game.
For the 10th-seeded Rune, it was yet another failure against a member of the top 10 at a Grand Slam as he was denied a third quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros.
"Last night I was dreaming of this match against Holger and I was playing at that level. I need to be very good, and I am really proud of myself tonight," said Musetti.
Musetti, who said he has put some order in his game, arrived in Paris having reached at least the semi-finals in all three Masters events this season on clay. He did not disappoint on the Philippe Chatrier court, delighting the crowd with a handful of exquisite shots, notably from his impressive single-handed backhand.