Latest news with #IgaSwiatek
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Sabalenka, Zheng cruise into fourth round while Alcaraz survives scare at Roland Garros
Alcaraz stumbles against Dzumhur before going through Sabalenka, Zheng manage conditions to power into round four Swiatek stretches Roland Garros winning streak to 24 matches Musetti advances before Rune, Paul survive tough encounters PARIS, May 31 — Carlos Alcaraz made heavy weather of his French Open clash with Damir Dzumhur but moved into the fourth round while world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen blazed a trail on a hot Friday at Roland Garros. Defending champion Iga Swiatek continued her bid for a fifth Roland Garros title when the fifth seed stayed calm on a searing afternoon on Court Philippe Chatrier to beat Jaqueline Cristian while Holger Rune edged a brutal five-setter with Quentin Halys. Alcaraz was expected to sizzle in the cool of the evening but the second seed found himself in hot water after his level dipped against Dzumhur before recovering to seal a 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-4 win and book a clash with Ben Shelton. 'It was under control during the first two sets, and then I don't know what happened,' Alcaraz said. 'I think he started to play, but I let him get into the match, get into a good rhythm. I let him get into his game and I didn't know what to do. 'I was a break down in the fourth, and I just tried to calm myself a little bit, think much clearer, and try to do the good things again. Just happy to take the chances he gave me in the fourth set and play great tennis at the end.' Sabalenka avoided the worst of the heat in the morning but had to stave off the plucky Olga Danilovic to win 6-2 6-3 and continue her bid for a maiden Roland Garros title after major triumphs at the Australian and US Opens. The three-time Grand Slam champion looked in ruthless form while racing ahead 5-0 but Danilovic avoided the bagel by taking the sixth game on serve and pulled a break back. The resurgence did not last long as Sabalenka closed out the opening set with another break and withstood a stern test in the second set to beat her 34th-ranked opponent. Zheng, who won her biggest title at last year's Paris Games, continued her good form on the Roland Garros clay as the Chinese eighth seed made the second week by beating Grand Slam debutant Victoria Mboko 6-3 6-4 at Court Simonne Mathieu. That match was halted briefly when the 18-year-old Mboko was down 5-3 in the second set as a fan needed medical attention but Zheng was not affected when play resumed and quickly dispatched the Canadian. Former semi-finalist Amanda Anisimova required treatment for a blister on her right hand before the American secured a 7-6(4) 6-4 victory over Clara Tauson to reach the last 16 of the major where she announced herself in 2019. Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka (right) shakes hands with Serbia's Olga Danilovic after winning their women's singles match on day 6 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris May 30, 2025. — AFP pic 'Big hitters' Anisimova, seeded 16th, takes on Sabalenka in the next round aiming to improve her 5-2 win-loss record against the top seed. 'We're both big hitters, so I'm sure we're going to be going at it back and forth,' Anisimova said. Liudmila Samsonova will expect to be tested against Zheng after beating Dayana Yastremska 6-2 6-3. Swiatek extended her spectacular French Open winning streak to 24 matches after seeing off Jaqueline Cristian 6-2 7-5 as the temperature soared. 'It was 20 degrees Celsius when I played my first match but today it was 30 degrees,' Swiatek said. 'It's not easy to adjust but I've played in every condition. Last year at the Olympics it was super hot, so I was ready.' Up next for Swiatek is fellow Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina, who ousted 2017 Roland Garros winner Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-2. Last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini eased past Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-4 6-1 and faces another Ukrainian after Elina Svitolina beat Bernarda Pera 7-6(4) 7-6(5). Eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti blew hot and cold against Mariano Navone before winning 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-2 while Rune beat Halys 4-6 6-2 5-7 7-5 6-2. 'It was a brutal match,' Rune said. 'I tried to change things... I had to put more spin on the ball because of the conditions. 'The player who took the opportunities to be aggressive was the player who won.' Tommy Paul also needed five sets, the 12th seed defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3 3-6 7-6(7) 3-6 6-3, while American fans had more joy as 13th seed Shelton downed Matteo Gigante 6-3 6-3 6-4 and Frances Tiafoe beat Sebastian Korda 7-6(6) 6-3 6-4. Alexei Popyrin overcame Nuno Borges 6-4 7-6(11) 7-6(5) to fly the flag for Australia while Daniel Altmaier sent Hamad Medjedovic packing 4-6 6-3 6-3 6-2. French hopes suffered a blow as Arthur Fils pulled out of Saturday's clash against Andrey Rublev with a back injury. — Reuters
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Alcaraz survives after Sabalenka, Zheng shine at scorching French Open
Carlos Alcaraz Photo: photosport Carlos Alcaraz made heavy weather of his French Open clash with Damir Dzumhur but moved into the fourth round while world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen blazed a trail in hot conditions at Roland Garros. Defending champion Iga Swiatek continued her bid for a fifth Roland Garros title when the fifth seed stayed calm on a searing afternoon on Court Philippe Chatrier to beat Jaqueline Cristian while Holger Rune edged a brutal five-setter with Quentin Halys. Alcaraz was expected to sizzle in the cool of the evening but the second seed found himself in hot water after his level dipped against Dzumhur before recovering to seal a 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-4 win and book a clash with Ben Shelton. "It was under control during the first two sets, and then I don't know what happened," Alcaraz said. "I think he started to play, but I let him get into the match, get into a good rhythm. I let him get into his game and I didn't know what to do. "I was a breakdown in the fourth, and I just tried to calm myself a little bit, think much clearer, and try to do the good things again. Just happy to take the chances he gave me in the fourth set and play great tennis at the end." Sabalenka avoided the worst of the heat in the morning but had to stave off the plucky Olga Danilovic to win 6-2 6-3 and continue her bid for a maiden Roland Garros title after major triumphs at the Australian and U.S. Opens. Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. Photo: DARREN ENGLAND The three-time Grand Slam champion looked in ruthless form while racing ahead 5-0 but Danilovic avoided the bagel by taking the sixth game on serve and pulled a break back. The resurgence did not last long as Sabalenka closed out the opening set with another break and withstood a stern test in the second set to beat her 34th-ranked opponent. Zheng, who won her biggest title at last year's Paris Games, continued her good form on the Roland Garros clay as the Chinese eighth seed made the second week by beating Grand Slam debutant Victoria Mboko 6-3 6-4 at Court Simonne Mathieu. That match was halted briefly when the 18-year-old Mboko was down 5-3 in the second set as a fan needed medical attention but Zheng was not affected when play resumed and quickly dispatched the Canadian. Former semi-finalist Amanda Anisimova required treatment for a blister on her right hand before the American secured a 7-6(4) 6-4 victory over Clara Tauson to reach the last 16 of the major where she announced herself in 2019. Anisimova, seeded 16th, takes on Sabalenka in the next round aiming to improve her 5-2 win-loss record against the top seed. "We're both big hitters, so I'm sure we're going to be going at it back and forth," Anisimova said. Liudmila Samsonova will expect to be tested against Zheng after beating Dayana Yastremska 6-2 6-3. Poland's Iga Swiatek. Photo: photosport Swiatek extended her spectacular French Open winning streak to 24 matches after seeing off Jaqueline Cristian 6-2 7-5 as the temperature soared. "It was 20 degrees Celsius when I played my first match but today it was 30 degrees," Swiatek said. "It's not easy to adjust but I've played in every condition. Last year at the Olympics it was super hot, so I was ready." Up next for Swiatek is fellow Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina, who ousted 2017 Roland Garros winner Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-2. Last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini eased past Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-4 6-1 and faces another Ukrainian after Elina Svitolina beat Bernarda Pera 7-6(4) 7-6(5). Eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti blew hot and cold against Mariano Navone before winning 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-2 while Rune beat Halys 4-6 6-2 5-7 7-5 6-2. "It was a brutal match," Rune said. "I tried to change things ... I had to put more spin on the ball because of the conditions. "The player who took the opportunities to be aggressive was the player who won." Danish tennis player Holger Rune. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Tommy Paul also needed five sets, the 12th seed defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3 3-6 7-6(7) 3-6 6-3, while American fans had more joy as 13th seed Shelton downed Matteo Gigante 6-3 6-3 6-4 and Frances Tiafoe beat Sebastian Korda 7-6(6) 6-3 6-4. Alexei Popyrin overcame Nuno Borges 6-4 7-6(11) 7-6(5) to fly the flag for Australia while Daniel Altmaier sent Hamad Medjedovic packing 4-6 6-3 6-3 6-2. French hopes suffered a blow as Arthur Fils pulled out of Saturday's clash against Andrey Rublev with a back injury. - Reuters
Arab News
5 hours ago
- General
- Arab News
Alcaraz fights into French Open last 16 as Swiatek, Sabalenka progress
PARIS: Carlos Alcaraz survived a scare to book his place in the French Open last 16 on Friday, with defending women's champion Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka also through to the fourth round at Roland Garros. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
She's no poker player but Iga Swiatek's hand has improved at Roland Garros thanks to Jelena Ostapenko losing to Elena Rybakina
Iga or Aryna, that is the question at Roland Garros this year. Who is favourite for the women's title? Do we go with form and plump for Aryna Sabalenka, dominant world No 1 and Madrid champion. Or with the history of Iga Swiatek, in a terrible funk but a four-time champion here, including the last three in a row. The question was put to Sabalenka after her 6-2, 6-3 dismissal of Olga Danilovic, and the Belarusian replied: 'I don't know. It's tough to predict in women's tennis. Let's just leave it on Iga since she won it, what, three times in a row, right? Let's just... I will just leave it for her.' This reporter is inclined to agree with Sabalenka — because of one result on Friday. Not Swiatek's 6-2, 7-5 win over Jaqueline Cristian but Elena Rybakina's defeat of Jelena Ostapenko. That means Swiatek faces Rybakina in the fourth round on Sunday, rather than her kryptonite match-up with Ostapenko. The diminutive Latvian has won all six of their previous meetings. Ostapenko's clash with Rybakina was still going on when Swiatek spoke to the press, and the Pole was asked whether she had a preference on her opponent in the next round. She attempted the usual pat answer but could not keep a straight face. 'No,' she said, before dissolving into laughter. 'Am I a good liar? Let's say it doesn't matter, really. Oh, my God. I couldn't play poker.' Maybe not but she plays tennis extremely well, and nowhere better than here. A large element of pre-tournament pessimism over her prospects was the presence of Ostapenko in the fourth round. Now she has been removed, the way looks smoother — although 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina presents a tough test. The smart money remains on Sabalenka and Swiatek meeting in the semi-finals here — and the victor going on to claim the title.
New York Times
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Iga Swiatek-Jelena Ostapenko head to head will not grace the French Open this year
Follow The Athletic's French Open coverage Welcome to the French Open briefing, where The Athletic will explain the stories behind the stories on each day of the tournament in Paris. On day six, a defending champion avoided her nemesis, a world No. 1 learned of her first test, and a dirty towel caused commotion on Court Philippe-Chatrier. After four-time champion Iga Swiatek got past world No. 60 Jaqueline Cristian in straight sets, the tennis world's attention turned to the match that followed hers on Court Suzanne-Lenglen — and to the fourth-round meeting that everyone wanted to see. Nothing against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who faced Jelena Ostapenko in the third round, but Ostapenko's head-to-head with Swiatek has developed into the most compelling non-rivalry in the sport. Ostapenko, a wildly inconsistent player who won her only Grand Slam title here in Paris right years ago, has beaten Swiatek, a five-time major champion and a world No. 1 for over 100 weeks, in all six matches they have played against each other. Advertisement They have still never faced off at Roland Garros, so everything was set up to see whether Swiatek could finally end her hoodoo against the player who seems to live rent-free in her head on her favorite court in the sport. Following her win over Cristian, Swiatek has a 38-2 record through her 40 matches at the French Open, matched only by its seven-time champion Chris Evert in the women's game in the Open Era. When Swiatek arrived for her news conference after beating Cristian, the outcome of the Ostapenko-Rybakina match was not known. Asked if she had a preference about who she'd play next, Swiatek responded by saying no and keeping a completely straight face. A second later, she burst into laughter, adding: 'Am I a good liar?' #Iga #RG2025 — 🎥 (@t15l_videos) May 30, 2025 About half an hour later, Rybakina finished off Ostapenko 6-2, 6-2, and with that, so many tennis fans' dream died. A match between Rybakina and Swiatek is at least likely to be less mercurial: their head-to-head is at 4-4. Hopefully, a Wimbledon champion going up against the winner of the past three French Opens will help to soften the blow of the match that never was. Charlie Eccleshare Holger Rune started this tournament playing on Court 7. For a guy who wants to prove that he is his generation's third member of a Big Three 2.0 with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, that kind of court assignment doesn't sit all that well, even though the world No. 10 has some way to go to even approach the status those other two have in the sport. Rune doesn't mind that assignment too much in Paris, reserving his annoyance for last year's U.S. Open, which put him on a court he deemed so unsatisfactory that he provided his fans with a map to find it. Advertisement The Dane has been on Court Philippe-Chatrier for the two rounds since. He's enjoyed it, except for a while this afternoon. Partly because French opponent Quentin Halys was threatening to knock him out of the tournament, but mostly because a fan didn't like the way Rune put his sweaty, clay-speckled towel back into its box. Here's how the always-entertaining Rune tells the story: 'I put my towel down in the box, and the guy was yelling, aggressive with me. He reached out for me. I thought this was very strange, because I did not do anything against him and he should not interact with a player on the court. It's a bit embarrassing, I think. 'I told the supervisor that I would prefer him not being there, because it was a bit uncomfortable. They said they'd check the video, and, I guess, if it was true what I said they would get him away. I guess they checked, and I didn't see him for the rest of the match.' Rune said Halys apologized to him for the partisan crowd when the match was over. 'I said, 'Don't worry. I don't think it was anything crazy'.' A non-Frenchman, Lorenzo Musetti of Italy, is next for Rune in a match for the clay-court connoisseurs. Matt Futterman So far, it's been plain sailing for the world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who is yet to drop a set at the tournament. She cruised past world No. 34 Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-3 Friday in the third round — and that was her closest scoreline yet. Things should now get a bit tougher, with her next opponent being the American No. 16 seed Amanda Anisimova. She too, is yet to drop a set, and has won five of her seven meetings with Sabalenka. Four of those were before Sabalenka had won her first Grand Slam, however, and the Belarusian is a very different player now. Back then, she lacked the variety to change things if getting outgunned by the big-hitting Anisimova. Advertisement But since last year's Italian Open, Sabalenka has embraced variety and touch as parts of her game, becoming a more complete player and offering her different valves for when she needs a release from her usual strategy. This next meeting with Anisimova should provide an opportunity to demonstrate how far she's come — or it could provide Anisimova the opportunity to rubberstamp what's already been an impressive return to the tour since a break to address burnout last year. A win would make this her joint-best run at a Slam since 2019, when she reached the semifinals here in Paris at age 17. Charlie Eccleshare A tennis fan who looked at the draw Friday morning might have pencilled Hamad Medjedovic of Serbia into the fourth round. Medjedovic is a Novak Djokovic project, and Djokovic has said he is headed for big things. He won the Next Gen Finals in 2023, and its champions usually do go on to big things – Alcaraz, Sinner, Tsitsipas. It's taking Medjedovic a little longer to get where he wants to be than it did those guys, but he had gotten off to a promising start here in a section of the draw that got more and more inviting as the first week wore on. He has some of the biggest power in the game, but also can play with an off-speed, junkballing style when he needs to. He had Daniel Altmaier of Germany, a talented clay-court player who dispatched American No. 1 Taylor Fritz in the first round, on Friday for a spot in the second week. For Medjedovic, trouble started early. He called a doctor to the court at 2-1 in the first set and had his blood pressure and vital signs examined. He continued, but something was visibly wrong for the remainder of the match, with the world No. 74 struggling to move around the court and regularly leaning on his racket. Advertisement He won that first set from 4-2 down, but was able to put up only limited resistance the rest of the way, moving little, resorting to every trick he had to extend the match, hoping it might turn around. Medjedovic has form for winning when compromised. He beat Tsitsipas on one leg after pulling a muscle deep in the third set of their match in Doha in February, hobbling between smashing winners as early and often as he could. That was just for a couple of games and a tiebreak, though. Three whole sets on a hot day in Paris is a tougher proposition. This time, in the end, it did not turn around. Those big things will have to wait a little longer. Matt Futterman Sometimes. the official social-media account gets it right. HOW DID RUNE DO THAT?! THIS Holger's around the net post is the shot of the day 🤩 #RolandGarros — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2025 Tell us what you noticed on the tournament's sixth day… (Top photo of Iga Swiatek: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
