French Open day five: Daniel Altmaier and Jannik Sinner’s battle royale, emotional moments and more
We look back at day five of the French Open as defending champion and women’s top seed Iga Swiatek eased into the third round at Roland Garros with victory over Claire Liu.
Coco Gauff set up an intriguing clash with 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva, while Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina saw off teenage Czech Linda Noskova.
The match of the day saw German Daniel Altmaier defeat eighth seed Jannik Sinner in five hours and 26 minutes, the fifth longest match in tournament history.
Picture of the day
Tweet of the day
Honestly no other sport like tennis. 5 and a half hours of unreal fighting
— Denis Shapovalov (@denis_shapo) June 1, 2023
Match of the day
Shapovalov of course was referring to Altmaier’s incredible win over Sinner. It was a thing of beauty, but maybe not such a beautiful occasion if your name is Jannik Sinner.
BATTLE ROYALE
5 hours and 26 mins later, @daniel_altmaier outlasts Sinner in an epic 6-7(0), 7-6(7), 1-6, 7-6(4), 7-5 to make the #RolandGarros third round. pic.twitter.com/xS8iKKLzEX
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2023
Emotional moments
There were tears of joy for the victorious Daniel after the match.
This is your moment, Daniel!
⭐️ @daniel_altmaier #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/a7AGkZXqRK
— Eurosport (@eurosport) June 1, 2023
Quote of the day
“That’s the only reason why I’m good at tennis, because I’m half Czech.” – American Kayla Day is channelling the Czech production line
Stat of the day
18 Mirra Andreeva is the youngest player to make the third round at the French Open since 15-year-old Sesil Karatantcheva 18 years ago in 2005
China on the march
China has been a virtually non-existent presence in men’s tennis in the open era but three players featured in the main singles draw and Zhang Zhizhen, who will play Casper Ruud, is the first through to the third round since 1937.
Fallen seeds
Men: Jannik Sinner (8), Tommy Paul (16), Alex de Minaur (18)
Women: Madison Keys (20), Donna Vekic (22)
Who’s up next?
Cameron Norrie will try to break new ground at the French Open when he takes on talented young Italian Lorenzo Musetti.
The British number one is yet to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros, where he could face top seed Carlos Alcaraz, who plays Denis Shapovalov in the night session.
Third seed Novak Djokovic faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina while world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula are the leading women in action.
READ MORE: Jannik Sinner toppled by Daniel Altmaier in five-hour French Open epic
