It was a great day at Roland Garros with some amazing matches being played.
Before we talk about the matches, I just want to say that ITV scheduled a really endearing interview with Richard Gasquet, and his coach; Fabrice Santoro. It was nice to see a more laid-back Gasquet, regardless of the fact he will be playing Rafael Nadal in his third-round match, who he has never beaten, but has lost to 15 times.
The first singles match to finish happened out on Suzanne-Lenglen. Madison Keys beat Naomi Osaka 6-1, 7-6. Osaka did manage to save a match point, and herself score a set point, to take it to a third set but it just wasn’t meant to be. Madison Keys will move into the fourth round, and will play Mihaela Buzarnescu.
Out on court 18, Daria Kasatkina beat Maria Sakkari 6-1, 1-6, 6-3. I was expecting a different outcome in this match, but Daria Kasatkina played very well, and deserves her place in the fourth round of Roland Garros. She will face Caroline Wozniacki her next match. Also making their way into the next round was Yulia Putintseva who knocked out Qiang Wang.
So much happened today in the men's draw.
We said goodbye to 4th seed; Grigor Dimitrov. I didn’t catch his match, but looking at the score, he was off his game. He was playing a well-seasoned Fernando Verdasco who always displays his best performances on Clay but I didn’t think it would be that easy. Verdasco will now move into the fourth round, and face Novak Djokovic.
It just wasn’t meant to be for 10th seed; Pablo Carreno Busta as he lost in four sets to Marco Cecchinato. He will now face Gael Monfils or David Goffin in the fourth round.
We also said goodbye to the 4th seed in the women's draw; Elina Svitolina. She was up against Mihaela Buzarnescu and lost in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5.
It was touch-and-go for hours over on Philippe-Chatrier as 2nd seed; Alexander Zverev faced Damir Dzumhur. It took Zverev five sets to win the match, and he also had to save a match point. He will go on to face Pouille or Khachanov. I have to say, it was an incredible performance from Damir Dzumhur and this won’t be the last we see of him. His game is perfect for grass.
Also securing a fourth-round place in amazing fashion was 19th seed; Kei Nishikori. He beat Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.
Novak Djokovic wasn’t the happiest person today, having been given warnings for smashing his racquet and the score of his match reflected this. He was uncomfortable, and threw the kitchen sink at Bautista Agut. It paid off in the end, but it did take four sets.
26th seed; Barbora Strycova moved into the next round, after a good win against Katerina Siniakova and will face Yulia Putintseva. Caroline Wozniacki will join her in the fourth round as she beat Pauline Parmentier in straight sets.
Unfortunately, due to rain, the Monfils/Goffin and Pouille/Khachanov will finish tomorrow. Sloane Stephens vs. Camila Giorgi will take place tomorrow, as will Petra Kvitova vs. Anett Kontaveit.