French Open day four: Not to be for dream team Venus Williams and Coco Gauff and more press drama
Serena Williams needed three sets to make it past Mihaela Buzarnescu and into the third round of the French Open.
Third seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated fellow Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich but another top-10 seed went out with Belinda Bencic beaten by Daria Kasatkina.
The leading men’s hopes in the bottom half of the draw all made it through relatively comfortably, with Daniil Medvedev beating Tommy Paul, Stefanos Tsitsipas seeing off Pedro Martinez and Alexander Zverev defeating Roman Safiullin.
Picture of the day
The 40-year-old Williams and 17-year-old Gauff went down in three sets against 13th seeds Zheng Saisai and Ellen Perez.
Tweet of the day
As I did during my whole career, I left everything on court last night & that was a victory itself. It was really special to feel the @rolandgarros vibe one last time.
I’ll keep unforgettable memories forever. The clay, the french flair, the close battles. Merci, Paris! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/MkKETvnxmU
— Carla Suárez Navarro (@CarlaSuarezNava) June 2, 2021
More press drama
<
Sadly, after Alexander Zverev’s 1st rd media conference, my Roland-Garros media pass was revoked. My appearance in a supermarket (meant as a joke) was regarded as unprofessional
Apologies to Alexander, the FFT, Roland Garros organisers, family, fiends, colleagues and supporters
— Jonathan Pinfield (@tweetsbyjp) June 2, 2021
Press conferences have rarely had so much attention as the past week in Paris and on Wednesday came the news that Yorkshire radio reporter Jonathan Pinfield, who became something of a celebrity after his distinctive accent attracted the attention of Zverev at Roland Garros in 2018, had had his accreditation revoked.
Pinfield, known for left-field questions that amuse and baffle players in equal measure, decided to dial into Zverev’s press conference from a supermarket. This was a step too far for beleaguered French Open organisers but, after the reporter apologised, they had a change of heart and reinstated him.
Brits get ready for grass
British trio confirmed for Viking Open Nottingham
Read more
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 2, 2021
With the French Open moving back a week, the second week will coincide with the return for the first time since 2019 of the British grass-court season. Nottingham hosts a WTA event, and Harriet Dart, Fran Jones and Katie Boulter have been given wildcards, joining Johanna Konta and Heather Watson in the main draw. Andy Murray will play in the men’s Challenger tournament.
Fallen seeds
Women: Belinda Bencic (10), Veronika Kudermetova (29)
Men: Roberto Bautista Agut (11), Karen Khachanov (23)
Who’s up next?
Quite a day on Chatrier
Full Day 5️⃣ OOP https://t.co/6XTkwZYrV2#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/T2UAM6dAXq
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2021
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are all in action on a packed day of action at Roland Garros.
Nadal, who celebrates his 35th birthday on Thursday, gets his night session against French favourite Richard Gasquet while Federer is also on Chatrier taking on old foe Marin Cilic and Djokovic heads out to Suzanne Lenglen for a clash with Pablo Cuevas.
Women’s No 1 Ashleigh Barty has concerns over a thigh issue but will hope to find a way past Magda Linette, defending champion Iga Swiatek faces Rebecca Peterson and Britain’s last remaining singles hope, Cameron Norrie, meets South African Lloyd Harris.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
WimbledonRoger Federer is beaten on grass as his Wimbledon hopes take a hit
Federer’s hopes of a lengthy run in the Halle grass court event came to an end as he was beaten by Felix Auger-Aliassime.
-
NewsCameron Norrie beats Australian Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev at Queen’s
Norrie is through to the last eight at Queen’s Club for the first time.
-
WimbledonWimbledon to open its doors to the public and here is how you get tickets
The 2021 tournament is set to get under way on June 28 at the All England Club.
-
NewsAndy Murray receives Wimbledon wild card with preparations in full swing
Murray will play singles at the All England Club for the first time since 2017.
-
WimbledonAndy Murray gets Wimbledon wildcard as rising British star is also rewarded
Andy Murray has been announced as one of the initial recipients of a Wimbledon wild card, along with fellow Brit Jack Draper.
-
WimbledonWimbledon confirm Naomi Osaka has yet to withdraw from this year’s Championships
Wimbledon chiefs have confirmed that Naomi Osaka is still entered into the draw for this year’s Championships.
-
NewsAndy Murray braced for tough time watching Scotland game in all-English bubble
The former world number one will be with his coaching staff at Queen’s when the two countries face off at Euro 2020.
-
NewsAndy Murray preparing for a tough night when Scotland play England in Euro 2020
Andy Murray is fearing a “tough” experience when he watches Scotland’s Euro 2020 clash with England on Friday.
-
Kevin PalmerExclusive – Judy Murray urges tennis chiefs to provide mental health aid to all players after Naomi Osaka incident
Judy Murray believes game should do more to support players.
-
NewsAndy Murray admits he has been telling himself each match could be his last
After completing a routine 6-3 6-2 victory – his first singles win on home soil in 1084 days – Murray became tearful in his courtside interview.