Belarusian Sabalenka exempted, at her request, from a press conference
Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, considering herself mistreated by certain media because of her nationality, obtained “the authorization of the organization” of Roland-Garros not to participate in the press conference on Friday after her qualification for the 8th of final, learned AFP from the French Federation (FFT).
The 25-year-old “will therefore not receive a fine” for not showing up after her victory against Russian Kamilla Rakhimova (82nd) 6-2, 6-2, according to the same source. Instead, a “pool of journalists” was granted access to Belarus and its responses were distributed to the rest of the press in transcript form.
After his victory in the second round in particular, a Ukrainian journalist asked him insistently questions about his relations with President Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Moscow, and his position on the war in Ukraine. Under the fire of these questions, the player had refused to answer.
“For months I have been answering these questions at all tournaments and I have been very clear about my feelings and opinions. I don’t mind these questions, I know I have to answer the media on matters that are unrelated in my tennis or in my matches. But, on Wednesday (after the second round, editor’s note), I did not feel safe”, she explained.
AFP
Davidovich Fokina hangs on
Incredible strength of character from the Spaniard, who manages to unbreak Djokovic. 7-6, 4-4 for the Serb.
The “Djoker” takes the lead!
So many mistakes for Davidovich Fokina, who offers the break on a plateau to Djokovic, who leads 7-6, 3-2.
Djokovic breaks down!
No time to doubt for the Serb, despite a 3-0 ball. He penalizes Davidovich on a backhand foul by the Spaniard and comes back to 2-1 before serving.
The station wagon for Davidovich Fokina
Double fault of the Djoker who offers the break to the Spaniard (6-7, 2-0)!
Davidovich Fokina takes control of the second set
After saving a break point, the Spaniard wins his serve on an unforced forehand from the Serb and leads 1-0
The first set for Djokovic, who got scared
The Serb is manhandled by Davidovich Fokina, who broke him twice, but he manages to tie-break (7-6) on a forehand cross! We have been playing for 1h23 on the Chatrier.
A first set still undecided
The Spaniard stands up to the former world number one and gives him problems when the trade lasts. 3-3 and 1h18 of match before the change of side.
Svitolina sticks to a sleeve everywhere
Quickly in a good position and very effective on her first serves (68%, 4 aces) to manage to break Blinkova three times (5-0), Elina Svitolina lost a break lead but won the second set 6-2. Last set to come on the Simonne-Mathieu court.
Tie-break in the first set between Djokovic and Davidovich Fokina
The Serb takes advantage of the unforced errors of the Spaniard to pick up at 6-6 and afford a tie-break.
Djokovic broken again!
Very tense end of the set on the Philippe-Chatrier, and Novak Djokovic is once again broken at 6-5. Davidovich Fokina will serve to win the first set.
Svitolina loses the first set, but breaks in the second
Opposed to the Russian Blinkova, who fell for Caroline Garcia in the previous round, Elina Svitolina lost the first set (6-2) but held a double break in the second (3-0).
Sonego offers Rublev!
Incredible scenario on the Lenglen! Led two zero sets by Andrey Rublev, seed number 7, the Italian Lorenzo Sonego overthrew the Russian in 5 sets and 3h42 of play (5-7, 0-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 ). He will face another Russian, Karen Khachanov, in the round of 16.
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Djokovic broken from the start
He suffers against the Spaniard of Russian origin Davodovich Fokina. 2/3 in the first set.
Monfils present to watch the Svitolina match
Less than 48 hours after the announcement of his withdrawal for the 2nd round of Roland-Garros, Gaël Monfils is present to attend the 1st row of the stands, on the Simone-Mathieu court, the 3rd round of his wife Élina Svitolina, opposed to the Russian Anna Blinkova.
He had already attended the second round of the Ukrainian, at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning, despite the late end of his match against Baez in the evening session on Tuesday. The French player obviously does not clap with his left hand, where he is injured in the wrist.
KM
Let’s go for Djokovic
On center court, the world number 3 takes on Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, seeded 29.
Khachanov awaits Sonego or Rublev in round of 16
After a 4th set which ended in a tie-break, Khachanov eliminated Kokkinakis, and was the first of the day to qualify for the round of 16 (6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6) . The Russian will face the winner of the match between Sonego and Rublev.
Direction the 8th for Sabalenka
Seeded number 2, Aryna Sabalenka confirms her status and easily dismisses the Russian Rakhimova (82nd) (6-2, 6-2). The Belarusian either Stephens or Putinseva in the round of 16.
Pegula, seeded number 3, takes the door
Brutal defeat for the American, Jessica Pegula, seeded number 3. The 29-year-old player, quarter-finalist at the last Australian Open, lost sharply to the Belgian Elise Mertens (6-1, 6 -3).
Kokkinakis revives against Khachanov
After losing the first two sets (6-4, 6-1), Australian Thanasis Kokkinakis won the third (6-3) and just broke in the fourth against Russian Karen Khachanov, seeded number 11.
Rublev unrolls
The Russian Andrey Rublev, seeded number 7, takes place against the Italian Lorenzo Sonego, who defeated the Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the previous round. He leads 7-5, 6-0.
Khachanov wins the 1st set
The first set is for Khachanov. Although he was the first to lose on his serve, the Russian stole two services in a row from Kokkinakis (6-4, 1-0).
Express victory for Kasatkina
Kasatkina is the first to pass the 3rd round. Opposed to Stearns, the Russian totally surpassed the American, and completed the match in 57 minutes (6-0, 6-1).
Start of the match between Kachanov and Kokkinakis
It also started on the side of Kachanov and Kokkinakis who are playing the first match of the 3rd round for men.
The program of the day (from 11 a.m.)
Court Philippe Chatrier
Mertens – Pegula
Rakhimova – Sabalenka
Djokovic – Davidovich Fokina
Alcaraz-Shapovalov
Court Suzanne Lenglen
Sonego-Rublev
Stephens – Putinseva
Schwartzman – Tsitsipas
Court Simmone-Mathieu
Blinkova – Svitolina
Musetti – Norrie
Muchova – Begu
Short 14
Pavlyuchenkova – Potapova
Fognini-Ofner
Varillas – Hurkacz
Short 7
Tauson – Avanesyan
Kasatkina already surprises Stearns
The first match of the day takes place among the ladies. In this 3rd round, Stearns and Kasatkina clash. The Russian has already broken her opponent (2-0).
Taylor Fritz continued to chamber the French public on social networks
Booed by the public at Suzanne-Lenglen after his victory over Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech (2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4) on Thursday, American Taylor Fritz performed well on the court but also on the social networks after the game.
More information here…
Rinderknech eliminated, there are already no more French in the running at the end of the 2nd round, a sad record equaled
With the elimination of Arthur Rinderknech against Taylor Fritz on Thursday evening, there are no longer any French players involved in the men’s and women’s draws in the third round of Roland-Garros. As in 1968 and 2021.
More information here…
Hello everyone !
Welcome to all for this new day of Roland-Garros. No Frenchman managed to pass the second round. While this Friday marks the start of the 3rd round of the Gran Slam, several favorites will play.
In particular the number 1 Carlos Alcaraz who will face the Canadian Shapovalov (32nd). While the seeded number 3 Novak Djokovic will face the Spaniard Davidovich Fokina (34th). Follow the highlights of the day live on RMC Sport.