French Open 2023: Djokovic through, Alcaraz and Svitolina in action – live | French Open 2023
Key events
Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2, 2-2 Musetti* (denotes next server)
Alcaraz races through another service game.
*Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2, 1-2 Musetti (denotes next server)
And Kasatkina has broken back again! It’s going to a tiebreak.
Svitolina has broken Kasatkina, which means she will again serve for the match, this time at 6-5.
Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2, 1-1 Musetti* (denotes next server)
Musetti suddenly finds himself with a break point, a situation that Alcaraz remedies with a superb first serve. He saves another with a fabulous drop-volley, and there are no third chances for Musetti. That’s how to react to adversity.
Women’s singles On Court Suzanne Lenglet, Elita Svitolina was serving for the match against Daria Kasatkina but she’s just broken. It’s 5-5 in the second set.
*Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2, 0-1 Musetti (denotes next server)
Musetti isn’t giving this up; he starts the third set with a very quick service game.
Alcaraz takes the second set 6-2!
Musetti fought hard, really hard, just to get back from 0-2 to 2-2. But there is never a moment’s peace against Alcaraz. He has served out the second to love, finishing it with an ace. He’s just too good.
*Alcaraz 6-3, 5-2 Musetti (denotes next server)
Musetti misses a forehand at 40-30, then smashes a stray ball in frustration and receives a court violation.
Two double faults at deuce don’t improve his mood. He gets away with those, but Alcaraz takes the third break point. He’s now serving for the second set.
Alcaraz 6-3, 4-2 Musetti* (denotes next server)
Alcaraz consolidates the break with another devastating service game. At the moment, Musetti is facing an irresistible force.
Alcaraz breaks! *Alcaraz 6-3, 3-2 Musetti (denotes next server)
A net cord goes Alcaraz’s way at 15-15, and he rides that luck to break straight back.
Musetti breaks back! Alcaraz 6-3, 2-2 Musetti* (denotes next server)
If this is the future of tennis, the next decade will be fun. Alcaraz and Musetti, whose combined age of 41 is only five more than Novak Djokovic, are playing some fantastic stuff.
have just shared a sensational rally that ended with Alcaraz netting a crosscourt backhand. That makes it 0-30 on the Alcaraz serve, and eventually he breaks to 15 when an Alcaraz forehand goes fractionally wide.
*Alcaraz 6-3, 2-1 Musetti (denotes next server)
Musetti is playing some terrific stuff of his own now, and holds serve despite an onslaught from Alcaraz.
Here’s an updated report from Reuters on Novak Djokovic’s comfortable win over Juan Pablo Varillas.
World No3 Novak Djokovic inched closer to a 23rd Grand Slam title by crushing Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas 6-3 6-2 6-2 on Sunday to reach the French Open quarter-finals.
Djokovic, who is tied with Spain’s Rafa Nadal on a men’s record 22 majors, was untroubled by his 94th-ranked opponent, the first Peruvian in 29 years to reach a Grand Slam fourth round, on a windy day on Philippe Chatrier court.
A two-time champion in Paris, Djokovic has now reached the quarter-finals at the French Open for a record 17th time, one more than 14-time champion Rafa Nadal who is absent this year due to injury.
“I am proud of all the records but it also means I am not young any more,” said Djokovic. ”It was the best level of tennis I have played here so I am very satisfied.”
“I put in a lot of effort like all the players and the situation today is not the same like, say, 10 years ago. When I play like today I am satisfied and motivated to continue.”
Djokovic, who next faces 11th seed Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals, attacked Varillas at every opportunity to avoid being drawn into lengthy baseline battles that had seen the 27-year-old win all his three previous rounds in five-set marathons. He played the angles from the start, moving Varillas around and the tactic instantly paid off with two quick breaks in succession for a 4-0 lead.
Varillas had come back from two sets down in two of his three previous matches but could not get back into this game as his opponent clinched the first set.
It was a similar story in the next two with Varillas playing catch-up from the start and Djokovic firing winners at will before an easy volley on his first match point saw him seal his record last eight spot.
Alcaraz 6-3, 2-0 Musetti* (denotes next server)
Maybe it was a blessing in disguise for Cameron Norrie when he lost to Musetti, because he wouldn’t have had a prayer with Alcaraz in this form. He has just held to love, a game that included another devastating passing shot, right on the line. Apparently that’s his eighth forehand winner already; Musetti has one.
*Alcaraz 6-3, 1-0 Musetti (denotes next server)
Alcaraz breaks at the start of the second set, which means he’s won seven of the last eight games. The key point was at 40-30, when Alcaraz produced a glorious drop-volley that spun away from Musetti. He looks fantastic.
In case you missed it last week, this is a terrific profile of the phenomenally talented Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz wins the first set 6-3!
That was seriously imrpessive from Carlos Alcaraz, who went 2-0 down and then took Lorenzo Musetti to the cleaners with a variety of brilliant strokes.
Musetti didn’t play particularly badly, but Alcaraz put him under relentless pressure and, after from one impressive hold, he couldn’t cope with it. Few could.
Elina Svitolina has served out the first set, 6-4, against Daria Kasatkina.
Alvaraz breaks again! Carlos Alcaraz is into his work now all right. From 2-0 down he has won four consecutive games, at least two of them on Musetti serve.
He clinched the second break with a terrific return that reached Musetti almost on the half-volley on the baseline. He could do nothing with it.
Anastasia Pavyluchenkova on Wimbledon (from Reuters)
Russian players will be allowed to take part in Wimbledon this year but Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is not expecting the grasscourt Grand Slam to roll out the red carpet for them.
Pavlyuchenkova, whose ranking of 333rd does not guarantee her an entry into the main draw in London, has just reached the quarter-finals at the French Open – a performance that would normally open the door for a wild-card entry at Wimbledon next month.
Asked if she would apply, Pavlyuchenkova laughed. “Are you serious?” she told a press conference. “Do you think after the situation last year they would give me a wild card this year?”
Wimbledon announced in March that it had lifted its ban which prevented athletes from Russian and Belarus playing last year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“No grass season for me this year,” said Pavlyuchenkova, who will face world number one and defending champion Iga Swiatek for a place in the last four in Paris, three years after reaching the final.
Women’s singles In the other game, on Suzanne Lenglen, Elina Svitolina leads Daria Kastakina 4-3 with a break.
*Alcaraz 2-2 Musetti (denotes next server)
Ach, apologies, my internet has been down for the last 15 minutes or so. I think it’s okay now, and you haven’t missed too much. Lorenzo Musetti managed an early break against Carlos Alcaraz, but Alcaraz broke back straight away. Thus, it’s 2-2.
I’m having more technical problems, apologies, but Carlos Alcaraz is underway against Lorenzo Musetti. It’s 30-30 on Alcaraz’s serve.
Here’s a report from Reuters on Novak Djokovic’s win
World No3 Novak Djokovic inched closer to a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title by crushing Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas 6-3 6-2 6-2 on Sunday to reach the French Open quarter-finals.
The Serbian, who is currently tied with Spain’s Rafa Nadal at 22 majors, was untroubled by his 94th-ranked opponent, the first Peruvian in 29 years to reach a Grand Slam fourth round, on a windy day on Philippe Chatrier court.
He attacked Varillas at every opportunity to avoid being drawn into lengthy baseline battles that had seen the 27-year-old win all his three previous rounds in five-set marathons.
Varillas lost the vast majority of the shorter rallies and could not find a way back into the match as Djokovic set up a quarter-final against 11th seed Karen Khachanov.
A two-time champion in Paris, Djokovic has now reached the quarter-finals at the French Open for a record 17th time, one more than 14-time champion Rafa Nadal who is absent this year due to injury.
Novak’s verdict
It was a great atmosphere, I really felt the love today – thank you for your support. Today was the first time I’d played [Juan Pablo Varillas]. In the last couple of years he’s started to make some progress and he’s a real specialist on this surface. I had to try and dictate the points because he’s very consistent. It was the highest level I’ve played at in this tournament and I’m very, very happy.
Next up on Philippe Chatrier: the No1 seed Carlos Alcaraz v Lorenzo Musetti.
Karolina Muchova beats Elina Avanesyan 6-4, 6-3!
She will meet the impressive Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the last eight. Next up on Court Suzanne Lenglen: Elina Svitolina against the ninth seed Daria Kasatkina
Djokovic wins 6-3, 6-2, 6-2!
The big man will play Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals after a straight-sets win over Juan Pablo Varillas, a victory completed in just under two hours with a classic serve/volley. Varillas played some good tennis, but Djokovic – who knew – was just too good. He is into his 17th quarter-final at Roland Garros, a record.
*Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 5-2 Varillas (*denotes next server)
A strong hold from Varillas means Djokovic will have to serve it out.
Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 5-1 Varillas* (*denotes next server)
Another comfortable service game for Djokovic takes him within sight of the quarter-finals.
Thanks Will, hello again. Let’s start with a video of that doubles disqualification from earlier in the day.
Good news! Your favourite tennis correspondent has returned, stuffed to the brim with avocado. Welcome back Rob.
*Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 4-1 Varillas (*denotes next server)
Djokovic takes the first three points of the game. I think he has had enough of messing about. Varillas cannot cope with the rallies and thwacks a ball into the net from deep.
Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 3-1 Varillas* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic has had his fun and makes light work of his service game, concluding matters with an ace down the middle.
Over in the women’s doubles …
Aldila Sutjiadi and Miyu Kato were disqualified from their doubles match at Roland-Garros after the latter struck a ball to the opposite end of the court between points and accidentally hit a ball girl, leaving her in tears. The initial call from the chair was a warning before Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo, Sutjiadi and Kato’s opponent, highlighted to the umpire that the ball girl was clearly distressed. The supervisor was then called to the court and the decision was made to disqualify the pair.
*Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 2-1 Varillas (*denotes next server)
It looks like Djokovic is heading for a first break of the set but Varillas bounces back from 0:30, only to then give up break point. In the end, we head to Deuce after Djokovic ripples the net from the baseline. Djokovic needs another couple of break points but gets the job done when Varillas pings a backhand into the net.
Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 1-1 Varillas* (*denotes next server)
Varillas takes the first point of the next game, too. Djokovic follows that with a serve than can only be returned over his head. He moves into a commanding position when Varillas pings another shot long. An ace down the middle completes the job.
*Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 0-1 Varillas (*denotes next server)
The first game of the third set is a good old battle and Varillas takes it. He is making Djokovic work hard, which seems to be upsetting the Serb.
Elsewhere … Muchova is closing in on victory over Avanesyan. She took the first set 6-3 and is 4-1 up in the second after a double break.
Djokovic wins second set 6-2
Djokovic 6-3, 6-2 Varillas* (*denotes next server)
First Djokovic pulls out of serve, then double faults. Not an ideal start to the game. He makes up for it with some fine volleying at the net. No mistake with the next serve which is aced straight down the middle, before eventually wrapping up the set when Varillas loops a shot wide.
*Djokovic 6-3, 5-2 Varillas (*denotes next server)
Varillas really likes pace on the ball, so when Djokovic takes it off, he struggles to find the force he desires. Varillas bounces back from losing the first two points to take the next two but Djokovic gets to Set Point after a backhand from the Peruvian floats into the net. However, we end up at Deuce. Varillas does the business to extend the set by a game.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2023/jun/04/french-open-2023-novak-djokovic-aryna-sabalenka-and-alcaraz-in-action-live French Open 2023: Djokovic through, Alcaraz and Svitolina in action – live | French Open 2023
