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Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iga Swiatek-Jelena Ostapenko head to head will not grace the French Open this year
Welcome to the French Open briefing, where 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. Iga Swiatek keeps a poker face about her head-to-head with Jelena Ostapenko — for a second anyway 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. Advertisement 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. 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?' About half an hour later, Rybakina finished off Ostapenko 6-2, 6-2, and with that, so many tennis fans' dream died. Advertisement A match between Rybakina and Swiatek is at least likely to be less mercurial: 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. How did a dirty towel get in the way of a win for the men's No. 10 seed? 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. Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement '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. A tricky test for Sabalenka? 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. Advertisement 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. 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. What happened in the strangest match so far? A tennis fan who looked at the draw Friday morning might have pencilled Hamad Medjedovic of Serbia into the fourth round. Advertisement 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 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. 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. Advertisement 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. Shot of the day Sometimes. the official social-media account gets it right. French Open men's draw 2025 French women's draw 2025 Tell us what noticed on the tournament's sixth day… Advertisement This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Tennis, Women's Tennis 2025 The Athletic Media Company
India Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Roland Garros 2025: Novak Djokovic plays down injury scare, cruises into third round
Novak Djokovic dealt with a blister on his big left toe that required a medical timeout in the third set, then was one point from being forced to a fourth, before closing out a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (1) victory over Corentin Moutet at the French Open on Thursday.'With him, anything's possible,' Djokovic said. 'But I managed to find the right shots to stay in the match.'advertisementThe result put Djokovic in the third round at Roland-Garros for the record 20th time — not even Rafael Nadal managed that. Two more wins, and Djokovic will get to the tournament's quarterfinals for the 16th consecutive year. In 2024, though, he withdrew before playing in that round after tearing the meniscus in his right knee during the fourth round and needing surgery. Djokovic has won three of his men's-record 24 Grand Slam titles in Paris.20 - Novak Djokovic is the second player to reach the round of 32 on 20 occasions in Men's Singles at a single Grand Slam event after Roger Federer at the Australian Open (21) during the Open Era. Strike. #RolandGarros | @rolandgarros @atptour @ATPMediaInfo OptaAce (@OptaAce) May 29, 2025INJURY SCARE FOR THE SERB advertisementAgainst the left-handed Moutet, a Frenchman, Djokovic got broken in the opening game at Court Suzanne-Lenglen, and the crowd roared. But soon enough, Djokovic was in control. It wasn't until 2-all in the third set that some trouble who went on a nighttime bicycle ride in the center of Paris on Wednesday, slid into a forehand and held up, then hopped with all of his weight on his right foot. He stepped gingerly to the sideline and requested a visit from a trainer, who treated and taped the problematic big Moutet was mean-mugging toward his entourage in the stands after breaking to lead 4-2 in the third. Djokovic would break right back, but again faced a difficult spot while down 6-5 and facing a set point as the locals sang Moutet's last Moutet netted a backhand passing shot, and once they got to a tiebreaker, Djokovic was simply too hasn't been the case as often as usual this season, which has included a pair of three-match losing streaks for the 38-year-old from Djokovic ended his latest rut by winning his 100th career title at the Geneva Open before arriving at Roland-Garros.'Before last week's tournament in Geneva, I didn't feel confident in my game. But it's normal to feel that way, because I hadn't won enough matches,' Djokovic said. 'I'm like any other player in that respect. I've had to work hard to win.'Must Watch
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz Becomes Second-Fastest Man To Notch Up 20 Match Wins At Roland Garros
Carlos Alcaraz added another feather to his growing cap on Wednesday as the defending champion surged into the third round of Frech Open 2025 with a commanding four-set win over World No. 56 Fabian Marozsan. The 21-year-old Spaniard not only moved a step closer to defending his title but also achieved a remarkable personal milestone-becoming the second-fastest man to notch up 20 match wins at Roland Garros in the Open Era since 2000. He reached the landmark in just 23 matches, trailing only Rafael Nadal, the undisputed king of clay. Alcaraz's 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory was a showcase of mental resilience and tactical brilliance. Under the closed roof of Court Philippe Chatrier-forced by mid-match rain-the match briefly tilted in favour of Marozsan. The Hungarian, who stunned Alcaraz in Rome last year, used his touch and variety to snatch the second set with a flurry of drop shots and clever net play. But Alcaraz responded with characteristic flair, turning up the tempo in the third and fourth sets and leaving the crowd in awe with his athleticism and shot-making. "It was a great, great match. I played well in the first set. I had really high confidence. In the second set, he started to play much better-really aggressively-and didn't miss at all," Alcaraz said post-match. "It was a little bit difficult dealing with his game in the second set, but I was pleased to stay strong and refreshed in the third set." Statistically, Alcaraz outclassed his opponent. He won 71 percent of points on his first serve and fired 41 winners, 19 more than Marozsan, to dominate the match in just over two hours. "It's always a special feeling to play here. This court has given me some of the most unforgettable moments of my career," he said. Up next for the World No. 2 is a third-round meeting against either France's towering wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Bosnia's veteran campaigner Damir Dzumhur. On the women's side, it was a day of gritty determination and emotional strength for Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, who reached the third round of Roland Garros for the 10th time in her career. The former World No. 3 defeated Hungary's Anna Bondar 7-6(4), 7-5 in a tightly contested match that saw her dig deep at key moments. Svitolina was cheered on from the stands by none other than her husband, Gael Monfils, who had lit up the tournament on Tuesday night with a marathon five-set win that had the French crowd on its feet. Monfils' energy seemed to flow into Svitolina, who credited his presence as a key motivation behind her strong performance. "It means a lot to have Gael in the box, especially after the match he played yesterday," Svitolina said. "He inspires me every day, and I just wanted to give it my best." Listen to the latest songs, only on
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
French Open: 38-yr-old Gael Monfils makes history, surpasses Stan Wawrinka with 5-set win over Hugo Dellien
13-time ATP singles title holder Gael Monfils has shown that age is just a number at the French Open 2025. The 38-year-old Tennis player pulled off a comeback for the ages against Hugo Dellien in the Round of 128. The veteran Monfils had lost the first two sets 4-6 and 4-3, respectively, and looked out of the game. However, he didn't give up and dominantly raised his game. He won the third set 6-1, pulling the game from under the rug. The fourth set was quite the thriller, ending up in a tie-break. Gael Monfils' experience came into play as the veteran remained calm and won the fourth set, tying the game score. After that, he put up yet another dominant performance in the fifth set to win it 6-1 against the 90th-ranked Hugo Dellien. Gael Monfils writes his name in the history books of the ATP Gael Monfils' stunning comeback earned him a place in the history books of professional tennis competition. With the win over Hugo Dellien, the 42nd-ranked veteran became the first player in the competition's history to win 12 five-setters in a men's singles match at the Roland Garros during the ongoing "Open Era". GAEL MONFILS DOING THIS AT 38 YEARS OF AGETHE SHOWMAN NEVER FAILS TO DELIVER Monfils and Stan Wawrinka were positioned together in the French Open with 11 five-setter wins. The win over Hugo Dellien helped the 38-year-old create history and go past Stan Wawrinka. Additionally, this was Gael Monfils' 40th win at the French Open tournament, tying with Yannick Noah's record for most wins by a French player in the competition. 'For me is the belief, the belief of myself", says Gael Monfils after the win against Hugo Dellien The match started shakily for the veteran, having suffered an early injury scare that made the crowd silent, but Monfils was determined to showcase his skills at his home tournament. From losing consecutive sets to winning the match, the former title holder defied all odds to break records and create history. In the post-match press conference, he shared his thoughts on the win and the record. 'I won 40 times here? It means I've played for a long time. That's probably the reason why," he added. Gael Monfils:'I knew the match was over the moment I made that pass at 2-2 in the fourth set tiebreak' 🥶🥶 He also talked about his determination to play at the top level in the final years of his professional career. Gael Monfils said, 'For me is the belief, the belief of myself. I know in Roland Garros is a little bit different, so I even push more,'.
India Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
French Open: Gael Monfils scripts history with heroic comeback in first round
Gael Monfils made history on Tuesday, May 27, becoming the oldest player in the Open Era to win a match at the French Open. At 38 years, 8 months, and 27 days, the veteran defeated Bolivia's Hugo Dellien 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-1 on Court Philippe-Chatrier in a gripping three-hour, 36-minute also marked the first time since 2015 that Monfils staged a comeback from two sets down. He now holds the Open Era record for the most five-set singles match victories (12) at Roland Garros. Additionally, Monfils equalled Yannick Noah's record for the most wins (40) by a French player at the Read: Novak Djokovic off to solid start at Roland Garros, confident of better show in Paris 'I won 40 times here? It means I've played for a long time. That's probably the reason why,' Monfils said in the press conference. Monfils is the oldest man in the top 100 of the ATP rankings, with Novak Djokovic being the only other 38-year-old in the IT MEANS #RolandGarros Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2025'I love night sessions'During the match, Monfils had a brief injury scare. Early on, he suffered a nasty fall while attempting a forehand, losing his balance and crashing into the sidewall. His right knee slammed into the court signage, leaving him on the ground in visible chair umpire checked on him, but Monfils managed to recover and continue. After the match, he also spoke about his fondness for playing under the lights in night-session me is the belief, the belief of myself. I know in Roland Garros is a little bit different, so I even push more,' Monfils said.'I love night sessions. I think it's fabulous. I was lucky enough to have that several times. It's just extraordinary. I try to do the best I can,' he the second round, Monfils faces a tough challenge against Britain's Jack Draper, who recently broke into the ATP top 5 for the first time. Draper advanced with a confident first-round win over Italy's Mattia Bellucci, securing a 3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4 victory.
