Defending champion Iga Swiatek led the best way as fancied gamers on the French Open progressed to the quarter-finals in double fast time on Sunday after Novak Djokovic had sealed an epic victory in a match that ended within the early hours.
With Roland Garros nonetheless abuzz after that marathon within the claycourt Grand Slam’s newest ever end at simply after three a.m. native time, high seed Swiatek produced a distinct form of masterclass to beat Anastasia Potapova 6-0 6-0 in 40 minutes.
American Coco Gauff was not as ruthless as her Polish rival however equally environment friendly as she powered previous Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1 6-2 in an hour earlier than Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova mowed down Serbian Olga Danilovic 6-4 6-2.
Ons Jabeur continued her quest to win an elusive maiden Grand Slam by taking out Danish giant-killer Clara Tauson 6-4 6-4.
It was largely one-way site visitors on the boys’s aspect too, as third seed Carlos Alcaraz thumped Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3 6-3 6-1 to arrange a rematch of his 2023 quarter-final with Stefanos Tsitsipas, who beat Matteo Arnaldi 3-6 7-6(4) 6-2 6-2.
“I really like these sorts of matches,” Alcaraz mentioned.
“I’ve seen lots of matches currently from Stefanos. I do know he’s taking part in nice tennis and has lots of confidence proper now. I’ve the important thing towards him. I’ll attempt to play the pictures that get him in bother. I’ll attempt to present my greatest.
“Hopefully the gang enjoys (it) as a lot as I’m going to. Let’s see the way it’s going to be.”
Alcaraz’s entertaining victory meant the complete day session for singles on Courtroom Philippe Chatrier was accomplished in precisely 4 hours, 29 minutes lower than Djokovic wanted to defeat Italian Lorenzo Musetti in a single day.
The late end got here beneath criticism as Swiatek and Gauff mentioned that Grand Slams wanted to rethink their scheduling.
“I used to be at all times one of many gamers that mentioned that we should always begin a bit of bit earlier,” Swiatek informed reporters.
“I don’t know if the followers are watching these matches in the event that they must go to work subsequent day when the matches are ending at two or three a.m.”
Organisers had been compelled so as to add an additional match earlier than Djokovic performed as a consequence of persistent rain this week, which added to the lengthy evening on Saturday.
“It’s an advanced factor however I feel for the well being and security of the gamers it could be within the sport’s greatest curiosity to attempt to keep away from these matches ending — or beginning — after a sure time,” Gauff mentioned.
Italian second seed Jannik Sinner would have leapfrogged Djokovic to develop into world primary in per week’s time if the Serbian had crashed out.
The Italian will proceed his quest for a second main when he takes on French favorite Corentin Moutet on Sunday night.
