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Key events
We can’t be far from a Richie Tenenbaum reference.
Rublev 6-7, 2-6, 4-5 *Arnaldi (*denotes next server)
Rublev summons up a bit of all-or-nothing energy and connects with some lusty forehands, peppering the corners and holding serve with relative ease.
Still, here comes Arnaldi to serve for the match and his first victory against top-10 opposition at a grand slam tournament.
Kotov 4-6, 3-4 *Sinner (*denotes next server)
The Italian No 2 seed is serving to move within one game of the set over on Philippe-Chatrier.
*Rublev 6-7, 2-6, 3-5 Arnaldi (*denotes next server)
A businesslike hold for the Italian and Rublev must serve to stay in the tournament.
Rublev loses his cool and repeatedly batters his racket against his right thigh. He’s being taken apart and it’s hurting him. The commentators are beginning to fear for his mental health.
Rublev 6-7, 2-6, 3-4 *Arnaldi (*denotes next server)
Following her win earlier today, Elisabetta Cocciaretto said the Italian federation are doing a great job in supporting all their players here at Roland Garros. That would certainly appear to apply to Arnaldi, who is playing some stunning stuff against his Russian, or rather neutral flag, opponent.
The 23-year-old Italian crushes a forehand winner down the line – a quite wonderful strike – and breaks for 4-2 in the third and potentially final set! Rublev looks like a punch-drunk boxer out there. He’s got no answer to this kid.
Thanks Dominic. Here we go then. Sinner has just gone 4-2 up in the second set against Kotov.
With my power hour done, I shall transfer back to Luke McLaughlin, who will continue to follow these two fascinating matches. All yours, Luke.
Apologies for a slight error before. I wrote Arnaldi instead of Kotov. The perils of double-screening. All corrected now.
Rublev 6-7, 2-6, 2-2 Arnaldi
There’s just no winning for Andrey Rublev today. Arnaldi’s smooth hands get him out of trouble as he makes an important hold of serve. The crowd are chanting ‘Rublev, Rublev’ and I’d suggest he needs as much help as possible.
Sinner is the bigger name, but this Rublev v Arnaldi match is the bigger story as things stand. With the likes of Alcaraz, Swiatek and Jabeur are all to come, it should be a day packed full of headlines. Rublev has got to 15-30 on the Arnaldi serve after a fierce passing shot.
Sinner 6-4, 3-1 Kotov
Jannik Sinner is a real contender for this whole shebang you know. The way he covers the court, sliding on the clay, is phenomenal and his groundstrokes from the baseline are a match for anyone’s. Kotov gives as good as he gets in this latest Sinner service game but is still outgunned by the No 2 seed.
Right. Rublev has held his serve in the opening game of the third set against Arnaldi. Now he really needs to show up. He’s still looking very flustered and frenetic between points, albeit he’s finding the odd sensational winner via that whipping forehand. Arnaldi does enough to hold thanks to a couple of unforced errors by the Russian. 1-1
Here’s that shot I was talking about.
Sinner with a superb winner running back and turning on his backhand side, after being drawn to the net. He passes Arnaldi to go 30-0 up, trying to hold serve in the second game of the second set.
Rublev 6-7, 2-6 Arnaldi
Rublev cuts a pretty forlorn figure after sending a backhand long to wrap up the second set in his opponent’s favour. Dressed all in black, the Russian shuffles off to his seat contemplating a possible early exit from this year’s French Open.
Oh my. Arnaldi gets the double break and is serving to go 2-0 up in sets. There’s an issue in the crowd with the umpire asking a couple of people to sit down behind the eyeline of the server. Widespread jeers from the Parisian crowd. This won’t help Rublev’s concentration.
Sinner 6-4 Kotov
Game and first set, Sinner! He was made to work fairly hard for it but a tame-ish Kotov forehand into the net gifts it to the Italian. A quick pump of the fist and it’s time for a sit-down.
Rublev 6-7, 2-4 Arnaldi
This is all going horribly wrong for the No 6 seed, who now smashes his heels in frustration after Arnaldi holds to love. Can he possibly recover?
Arnaldi has broken! Rublev is in all sorts of trouble here. He’s 3-2 down and a set down and is on his haunches staring quite morosely into the ground.
Is there anything better than a stunning drop-shot? Not in this match there isn’t! It’s Sinner’s turn to exhibit the deftest of touches, as he holds out to love, showing his full repertoire in this service game. It’s 5-3 and Kotov will serve to stay in the set.
Sinner 4-3 Kotov
No fouls, no mishaps for Kotov as he holds serve. It’s now just about whether he can break back. He’ll only have two chances to do so. Meanwhile, it’s on serve between Rublev and Arnaldi.
Sinner 4-2 Kotov
An outstanding drop-shot from Kotov wins him the opening point on Sinner’s serve. Kotov tries it again later in the game but Sinner is more agile this time and up to the challenge. The Italian really is a joy to watch around the court. He serves it out to back up the break.
I’m going to watch Sinner v Kotov for a bit, with the Italian directing a clenched fist towards his corner after claiming the match’s first break of serve. He’ll look to take charge of this set now.
Clara Tauson v Sofia Kenin will soon get under way on Court No 7, while on No 15 Xinyu Wang versus Anastasia Potapova has been suspnded with the Chinese player 4-0 up.
Rublev stretches every sinew to hold. He’s 2-1 up in the second.
Rublev waves his arms around in bemusement as Arnaldi forces a break point, but the Russian player responds well with a couple of big serves … and then double faults. Eesh. The sixth seed isn’t having this all his own way.
Thanks Luke. These Rublev and Sinner matches should be a lot of fun. Let’s get into ‘em.
Lunchtime for me. Dominic Booth is stepping in for the next hour.
Kotov 2-1 Sinner
The Italian No 2 seed trails on Philippe Chatrier, although it’s with serve for now.
Rublev 6-7, 1-1 Arnaldi
Rublev is a set down against Arnaldi on Court Suzanne Lenglen, which is a turn-up for the books.
Danilovic, in tears, speaks: “I don’t know what to say. I have no words. Thank you everyone so much for supporting me here, this match … it was … oh …
“I am enjoying my time here so much. And this … I don’t know how I won this match, honestly, I was down so many times … I don’t know. I’m so happy. I just want to say thank you. There have been so many rain delays … you are like a tennis country. I don’t know what to say. Merci beaucoup.
“I love playing here. I played last year third round … I enjoy so much playing in grand slams… this is my favourite grand slam, I love clay, I love Paris, I have so many friends here and it means the world to me, honestly.”
It was her sixth match here having come through qualifiers … “Yeah, yesterday I finished so late … I got the time for today and it was 11am, and I knew I had to put myself together … [I had to] enjoy to suffer, as well … sometimes in tennis you really need to suffer like I did today. Merci beacoup.”
That was sensational. Absolutely wonderful stuff.
It will be Chloé Paquet or Marketa Vondrousova in the next round.
Danilovic beats Vekic! 0-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8)
That is just incredible. Danilovic lost the first set 6-0. Vekic served for the match twice in the final set.
Danilovic crafts a lovely winner down the line and collapses in joy and disbelief! Vekic just stands there! Tennis, bloody hell.
It’s 9-8 to Danilovic in the tiebreak now! WOW!
Danilovic, who came through qualifying, and Vekic have now been playing for three hours. Absolute scenes.
Vekic leads the 10-point tiebreak 6-3.
Rublev 6-6 Arnaldi
The Italian has forced a tiebreak in the first set against Rublev.
So, Pavel Kotov v Jannik Sinner (2) is seconds away now.
Yesterday’s reports and news below, if you missed any of it: including Tumaini Carayol’s report about the organisers’ decision to ban alcohol in the Roland Garros stands following some complaints from players about certain individuals’ behaviour.
Danilovic 0-6, 7-5, 6-6 Vekic
One hell of a battle has developed between the Serb and the Croat on Court Simonne-Mathieu. It’s a 10-point tiebreak to decide the winner, all the more remarkable after Vekic crushed her opponent 6-0 in the first set. Funny old game.
Yastremska really threatened to make a game of that. Her power from the baseline is quite something … but ultimately she didn’t have the precision to make it in any way close. An impressively coherent performance from Gauff, all round, even if she will certainly want to improve on a 47% first-serve success rate.
Coco Gauff speaks about overcoming Dayana Yastremska: “I played her in Madrid and she plays really well from behind. I knew closing the match would be difficult. I definitely could closed it out on my serve [in the previous game] … the last game, she hit three or four balls on the edge of the line … it was difficult to stay focused and not get too mad. But I’m glad I was able to push through.”
How is it playing as a grand slam winner? “Going into Australia, I was more nervous … but now I’m just like: one match at a time. It [winning the US Open] is something I accomplished but I just try and stay in the moment.
“At 20, I hope I’m still playing 10 years from now … so it’s a long process.”
Next Gauff is asked about her parents: “They’re kind of like swapping … most of the clay season it was just my Mom … it’s nice to have them around, especially in the two-week formats … when you have your day off it’s nice to spend it with somebody
“My parents have been with me my whole life. I’m very thankful to them. So, love you guys!”
Does Gauff mind knowing who she’s playing in the next round? (I would presume not at this stage!?) “Usually, once I finish the match, it’s cool,” she confirms.
And how does she feel about playing Elisabetta Cocciaretto?
“I played her in Dubai this year. She’s definitely a fighter … she’s one of those players who doesn’t give up. It’s going to be a difficult match. But I’m ready.”
Gauff beats Yastremska! 6-2, 6-4
Yastremska smokes a double-handed backhand down the line for 15-15. Then a slightly miscued forehand winner brings 15-30 – that is the Ukrainian’s 16th winner of the match.
Wow! Then she goes down the line, on her backhand, and catches the line with a crazily good winner. A test for Gauff at 30-40 … Yastremska isn’t going to die wondering and keeps hitting big from the baseline. But she overdoes it and hits fractionally long and it’s back to deuce.
Gauff fluffs it badly with a double fault, feeling the pressure … an attempted serve down the middle is horribly wide, and then a second serve sits up for Yastremska, who miscues it horrendously wide on her forehand side! Big let-off for Gauff!
The American wins a second match point with a fine wide serve … she stays in the next rally and waits for the error … and there it is!
Gauff v Cocciaretto is a confirmed last-16 tie.
*Gauff 6-2, 5-4 Yastremska (*denotes next server)
Yastremska seals a hold to 30 with a clean ace, the umpire coming off his chair to check it. But Gauff knew it was in. Can Yastremska apply pressure, and even break, the Gauff serve again? The Atlanta-born 20-year-old will now have a second crack at serving for the match.
Danilovic 0-6, 7-5, 4-3 Vekic
A fierce battle for the deciding set has developed over on Court Simonne-Mathieu. A deuce battle for the eighth game of the set is ongoing with Vekic serving.
Gauff 6-2, 5-3 *Yastremska (*denotes next server)
Deuce again. Again, the depth and power of a Yastremska groundstroke from the back forces an error from Gauff. The game stretches towards 10 minutes duration. Then a lucky break for the Ukrainian when a ball slaps the net cord and creeps over … And Yastremska finally breaks back! She shoots a distinctly determined look at her team in the stands. Can she somehow find another break and battle back into this second set? Gauff will be disappointed she’s not got her feet up in the locker room now.
Gauff 6-2, 5-2 Yastremska
A shaky start for Gauff and she’s forced on to the back foot by Yastremska’s power for 0-15. Then Gauff hammers an ace down the middle for 15-15 … but double faults for 15-30. Back to 30-30 after a good second serve – then break point for Yastremska – but Gauff takes it back to deuce thanks to the 32nd unforced error of the match by the Ukrainian.
Yastremska hits wide and shakes her head when Gauff claims her first match point – but the world No 32’s power is on display again as she takes Gauff back to deuce. Yet another break point for the Ukrainian is saved but again, Yastremska’s power is just too much and she earns another break point but again Gauff saves it. This is turning into an epic game …
*Gauff 6-2, 5-2 Yastremska (*denotes next server)
A top-class lob from Gauff helps to force it to deuce on her opponent’s serve. Yastremska then has advantage and a game point but Gauff fights like the champion she is to force it back level. On second serve, Yastremska flops a backhand into the net to give a break point to Gauff … Yastremska then hits long, and the American can serve for the match.
*Rublev 0-1 Arnaldi (*denotes next server)
The Italian world No 35 kicks off by holding serve.
Gauff 6-2, 4-2 *Yastremska (*denotes next server)
Another classy hold from the American. The finish line in hoving into view even if Yastremska has raised her level from the first set. Gauff is coming up with all the answers at the moment.
*Gauff 6-2, 3-2 Yastremska (*denotes next server)
This is becoming a bit of a tussle. Yastremska keeps winding up from the baseline and is more often than not finding her mark now. But Gauff’s movement and precision is proving more than a match for her opponent … and she breaks again to edge ahead in the second set.
Andrey Rublev (6) is warming up for his encounter against Matteo Arnaldo on Suzanne Lenglen.
Gauff 6-2, 2-2 *Yastremska (*denotes next server)
A marginal line call goes the way of Gauff for 30-0. But Yastremska’s power is starting to come to the fore and she’s forcing Gauff back at times, increasingly generating mishits off her opponent’s racket due to the sheer velocity of her groundstrokes.
At deuce Yastremska looks to have the upper hand but Gauff digs out a good shot from the baseline and the a miscue from the Ukrainian hands Gauff the service hold.
*Gauff 6-2, 1-2 Yastremska (*denotes next server)
The Ukrainian is showing what she’s capable of now, increasingly, and Gauff may have a battle on her hands in this second set.
“I learned French at school but I don’t speak very well,” Cocciaretto tells Mats Wilander on court. “Next time I will speak really well.”
Then she switches to English: “I think I played unbelievable the first games …. after that I was over-thinking. I said to myself: play with the heart and not with the brain … I tried to stay in the game, and to fight… I’m really really happy to play in this court and be in the fourth round for the first time. It’s unbelievable for me right now!”
Why are Italian players doing so well? “I think our federation is helping us a lot … I want to thank them. They are supporting every player here. Of course, we are Latin, like the French. We play with the heart. This is the most important.
“I want to say thank you to my parents, who are watching me at home, and I want to say thank you to my coach Fausto [Scolari] who pushed me to improve myself. I am playing well because he’s doing a good job with me.”
Does she appreciate the French public? “I’m really really happy to have this support. It helped me a lot. It kept me aggressive on match point. I’m really grateful about it, and I hope you will come to support me in the next match.
“Merci beaucoup!”
Cocciaretto high fives Wilander, and heads off to celebrate a brilliant achievement before preparing for the last 16, where she will face Gauff or Yastremska. What a performance and she will give (almost) anyone a game playing like that.
Cocciaretto beats Samsonova! 7-6 (4), 6-1
A couple of wonderful whippy forehands from Cocciaretto and it’s three break points – and three match points. She smiles and nods her head, as if to confirm that this is her moment … and indeed it is when Samsonova double faults! Cocciaretto, the Italian No 2, is into the last 16 of a grand slam for the first time!
Danilovic 0-6, 7-5, 0-0 Vekic
Over on Court Simonne-Mathieu, Danilovic of Serbia has forced a decider against her Croatian opponent, which looked unlikely after the first-set bagel.
Gauff wins the first set v Yastremska: 6-2
Now, Yastremska does have a look at a break point … but Gauff fights back to deuce, the Ukrainian sends a forehand long, and then some superb defence by Gauff forces another error. Yastremska was really piling into a succession of big forehands there but Gauff was not cowed and tidily got everything back until a mistake appeared from the other side of the net. Solid.
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