French Open day eight: Daddy Novak Djokovic gets family support, it starts with love for Elina Svitolina

We look back at day eight of the French Open as Elina Svitolina set up enticing quarter-final clash against Aryna Sabalenka after continuing her brilliant return to Grand Slam tennis by beating Daria Kasatkina.
Svitolina will be the second Ukrainian opponent faced by Belarusian Sabalenka, who recovered from losing a 5-0 lead in the first set to beat Sloane Stephens 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in the first night session women’s match.
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz continued their march towards a probable semi-final meeting with identical 6-3 6-2 6-2 victories – Djokovic over Juan Pablo Varillas and Alcaraz against Lorenzo Musetti
Djokovic’s son Stefan also got a taste of the action as he teamed up with his father pre-match at Roland Garros.
Picture of the day
Tweet of the day
Timeline cleanser
Novak ❤️ Stefan#RolandGarros | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/ejOOL2iFTR
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2023
Djokovic had some help warming up for his match from his eight-year-old son Stefan.
#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/6l3s4F3AwZ
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2023
And Stefan and Tara were on hand to greet dad after the match.
Another family affair
Gael Monfils was on hand to provide support for his wife Elina Svitolina ahead of her clash against Daria Kasatkina.
Tennis starts at love ❤️@ElinaSvitolina x @Gael_Monfils#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/6GQ6QiMJXY
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2023
Stat of the day
0 – The number of players from Grand Slam nations who made it to the fourth round of the men’s singles.
Mix-up of the day
It was a case of “yours, mine, definitely mine” during Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegulas doubles match.
Oops @cocogauff x @JPegula#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/hWAKU5Ni95
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2023
Great Danes
Denmark united @holgerrune2003 x @CaroWozniacki#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/DhG6XORoRV
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2023
The past and the present of Danish tennis met at Roland Garros on Sunday. Caroline Wozniacki is now a mother of two and is playing in a Slam legends event for the first time.
Fallen seeds
Men: Lorenzo Musetti (17)
Women: Daria Kasatkina (9), Elise Mertens (28)
Who’s up next?
Victories for Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff on Monday would set up a rematch of last year’s final.
Swiatek takes on Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko, who will be looking to join Svitolina in the last eight, while Gauff meets Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
In the men’s event, fourth seed Casper Ruud meets Nicolas Jarry and sixth seed Holger Rune plays Francisco Cerundolo, while Alexander Zverev features in the night session again, this time up against Grigor Dimitrov.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Can Cameron Norrie still reach the ATP Tour finals powered by strong Asian swing?
Cameron Norrie is out to reach the ATP Tour finals this term.
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova offers her backing to suspended Simona Halep
Martina Navratilova has voiced support for suspended Simona Halep.
-
Tennis News
Maria Sharapova announces her return to the court
Former World No 1 Maria Sharapova has revealed that she will be back on a court in Miami in 2024.
-
Tennis News
WATCH: Roger Federer showcases trademark shot as he returns to the court at the Laver Cup
Roger Federer took to the court to hit some balls ahead of the 2023 Laver Cup, much to the delight of fans of social media.
-
Tennis News
Active French player provisionally suspended pending anti-corruption charges
Maxence Broville has been provisionally suspended from the sport.
-
Tennis News
‘Novak Djokovic is always in shadows of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal but finally getting credit’
A renowned pundit thinks Novak Djokovic is “finally getting all the credit he deserves.”
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer still follows tennis ‘very closely’ and feels ‘generational change is noticeable’
Roger Federer has revealed that he still follows tennis “very, very closely” and discussed the “new generational change” in the sport.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s wife Jelena reveals the day he wanted to quit tennis
Novak Djokovic was all set to quit tennis after his second round defeat to Benoit Paire at the 2018 Miami Masters.
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray discusses dream to play final Olympics after being ‘really disappointed last time’
Andy Murray has discussed his goal to play at the Paris Olympics next year and reflected on the disappointment of his last Games.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic reveals what he learned most from ‘intimidating’ Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic has outlined the most important lesson he has learned from his great rival Rafael Nadal.