French Open day nine: A vintage Grigor Dimitrov backhand, another record for Novak Djokovic and more

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Novak Djokovic apologises to line umpire

Tennis365
October 5, 2020

On day nine at the French Open, Novak Djokovic hit another line judge with a ball but, unlike at the US Open, he survived to reach the quarter-finals after a straight-sets win over Karen Kachanov.

Stefanos Tsitsipas joined Djokovic by beating Grigor Dimitrov while Petra Kvitova and Sofia Kenin were the big names to make the last eight on the women’s side.

Picture of the day

France Tennis French Open — An emotional Petra Kvitova after beating Zhang Shuai (Michel Euler/AP)

Shot of the day

No sweeter sight 👌@GrigorDimitrov #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/YCLXzlnktt

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 5, 2020

That backhand. Vintage Grigor Dimitrov.

Stat of the day

Just keeps winning 💪@DjokerNole defeats Khachanov 6-4 6-3 6-3 to reach a 14th quarter-final in Paris and tie Rafael Nadal for the most all-time.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/dSDwMQEKTM

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 5, 2020

Oh-no moment of the day

Too soon? 😬#RG20 #ITVTennis pic.twitter.com/IBIrQGLHQZ

— ITV Sport (@ITVSport) October 5, 2020

No default for Djokovic this time.

Quote of the day

“My gosh, it was very awkward deja vu.” – Novak Djokovic

Sales pitch of the day

Shout out to the master creator of the famed Tsitsi-Mask 👋@StefTsitsipas #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/WsxdGJeJ6G

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 5, 2020

The perfect gift for the Stefanos Tsitsipas enthusiast in your life.

Brit watch

A tight contest.

Salisbury & Ram are narrowly beaten in three sets in the quarter-finals at @rolandgarros #BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/9emWCjiVY9

— LTA (@the_LTA) October 5, 2020

Joe Salisbury failed to reach the men’s doubles semi-finals with American partner Rajeev Ram after they lost to Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares.

Fallen seeds

Women: None.
Men: Karen Kachanov (15), Grigor Dimitrov (18).

Up next

Rafael Nadal takes on Italian whizkid Jannik Sinner, who is the first debutant to reach the quarter-finals since Nadal himself in 2005, while Dominic Thiem faces Diego Schwartzman.

Third seed Elina Svitolina meets Argentinian surprise package Nadia Podoroska.

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Novak Djokovic Petra Kvitova