🎾 2021 French Open - May 30 to June 13: Open Discussion, News and Daily Updates

[Jay]

The French Open 2021 main-draw action began on Sunday, May 30 and will run until Sunday, June 13, in Paris, France.

The tournament will be headlined by Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on the men’s side and Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams on the women’s side.

Nadal’s attempt to a record-extending 14th title at Roland Garros will be in focus over the coming fortnight. However, it won’t be easy for the third-seeded Spaniard, as world No.1 Djokovic and fellow 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer are in the same part of the men’s draw.

The draw is such that the three most successful players in the history of the men’s game will be on a collision course, which means no more than one of them can reach the final. The trio won 17 of the last 20 Grand Slam titles between them and they will be challenged by the likes of Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev along the way.

In the women’s draw, reigning champion Iga Swiatek will defend her title just seven months after winning it, on account of last year’s Covid-delayed start. The iconic Grand Slam will also see second seed Naomi Osaka making a comeback after missing it last year. She could take on American great Serena Williams in the semi-finals. Serena will be eyeing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.

Let’s share the Grand Slam updates on this thread.

[Jay]

Dominic Thiem - Shocking Early Exit

The opening day of the 2021 French Open, on Sunday, saw two-time runner-up Dominic Thiem crash at the first hurdle.

Fourth seed and US Open champion Thiem, who had never been beaten in the first round in seven previous visits, squandered a two-set lead to lose 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to 35-year-old Pablo Andujar of Spain.

Thiem: “Losing after being two sets to zero up, it’s very strange to me, and I have to think about what’s wrong at the moment,”

Andujar said his recent win over Roger Federer in Geneva ranked higher.

“For me, he is like a myth.”

[Jay]

Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open

Osaka withdrew from the French Open following the bitter fall-out from her decision to boycott all media activity at the Grand Slam event.

The 23-year-old Japanese star was fined $15,000 on Sunday and threatened with disqualification after she refused to carry out a mandatory news conference following her first round win.

She claimed on the eve of Roland Garros that such post-match inquests were akin to “kicking people when they are down” and that they had a detrimental effect on her mental health.

“The truth is I have suffered bouts of depression since the U.S. Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that.”

She added: “In Paris, I was already feeling vulnerable and anxious so I thought it was better to exercise self-care and skip the press conferences.

“I announced it preemptively because I do feel like the rules are quite out-dated in parts and I wanted to highlight that.”

“The best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris,” the world number two wrote on Twitter.

[Rohan]

French Open 2021 Day 3 Highlights:

• Ashleigh Barty survives a mighty scare as she overcomes American Bernarda Pera 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the first round.

• Rafael Nadal got a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (3) victory over Alexei Popyrin.
  Nadal was pushed to the limit but the ‘King of Clay’ persists against Alexei Popyrin.

• Venus Williams lost 6-3, 6-1 to Ekaterina Alexandrova.
  Venus Williams was runner-up at Roland Garros against her sister 19 years ago but has now lost her opening match at the clay-court major for the fourth year in a row.

The American veteran’s 24th appearance at the French Open ended in a defeat against Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia.

• Andrey Rublev lost to Jan-Lennard Struff 3-6, 6-7(6/8), 6-4, 6-3, 4-6 in the first round clash!

• Petra Kvitova Out of French Open after Press Conference Ankle Injury
  Kvitova suffered a freak ankle injury after she fell at the press conference, forcing her to pull out of the French Open.

• Gael Monfils recovers from a slow start to knock off Albert Ramos Vinolas 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-4!

• Rohan Bopanna and Franko Skugor Enters Second Round
  Bopanna and Skugor defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili and Andre Begemann 6-4 6-2 to book their place in French Open.

[Rohan]

Here are the French Open results on the third day:

Men

1st rd

Ricardas Berankis (LTU) bt Ugo Humbert (FRA x29) 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4

Alex De Minaur (AUS x21) bt Stefano Travaglia (ITA) 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4)

Marco Cecchinato (ITA) bt Yasutaka Uchiyama (JPN) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4

Mikael Ymer (SWE) bt Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 6-4, 0-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2

Aslan Karatsev (RUS x24) bt Jenson Brooksby (USA) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4

Women

1st rd

Astra Sharma (AUS) bt Irina Maria Bara (ROM) 7-6 (7/5), 6-2

Ons Jabeur (TUN x25) bt Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 7-5, 6-2

Fiona Ferro (FRA) bt Liang En-shuo (TPE) 6-1, 1-6, 6-4

Jennifer Brady (USA x13) bt Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 6-3, 6-3

Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) bt Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) 5-7, 6-4, 6-2

Ann Li (USA) bt Margarita Gasparyan (RUS) 6-0, 6-1

Elina Svitolina (UKR x5) bt Océane Babel (FRA) 6-2, 7-5

Maria Sakkari (GRE x17) bt Katarina Zavatska (UKR) 6-4, 6-1

Jasmine Paolini (ITA) bt Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 7-5, 6-1

[Jay]

2nd Round - Day 4 In Action:

7th seed Serena Williams is back in action on day four of the French Open, so is Aryna Sabalenka, Alex Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

In the men’s category, 2nd seed Daniil Medvedev will look to build on his morale-boosting first-round victory when he takes on unseeded American Tommy Paul for the first time in his career.

5th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and 6th seed Alexander Zverev are also in action, taking on Spain’s Pedro Martinez and Russia’s Roman Safiullin, respectively.

Ankita Raina and Divij Sharan in Action Today

Today, India’s Ankita Raina and Divij Sharan too begin their respective French Open Doubles campaigns.

** While Ankita partners USA’s Lauren Davis against Lucie Hradecka and Laura Siegemund, the Indo-Argetine pair of Divij Sharan and Federico Delbonis take on Matt Ried and Alex de Minaur.

[Jay]

Day 4 Highlights:

@Jay

Ankita Raina and Divij Sharan in Action Today

Divij Sharan and Ankita Raina Bow Out of French Open, lose their respective first-round doubles matches

• Divij Sharan and Federico Delbonis from Argentina crashed out of the French Open after suffering a narrow defeat against Australian duo of Matt Reid and Alex de Minaur in the men’s doubles first round here on Wednesday. The Indo-Argentine pair lost 6-3 6-7 (13) 4-6 to Matt and Alex in a thrilling contest that clocked two hours and eight minutes.

• Ankita Raina and Lauren Davis lost to Lucie Hradecka and Laura Siegemund 4-6, 4-6.

[Jay]

Bopanna- Skugor sail into pre-quarterfinals at French Open tennis

The unseeded Bopanna and Skugor prevailed over Americans Frances Tiafo and Nicholas Monroe with a straight set win 6-4, 7-5 in the second-round match that lasted one hour and 20 minutes.

[Rohan]

Women’s singles Results so far

• The women’s top-ranked Ashleigh Barty retired from her second-round match against Polish opponent Magda Linette after trailing 1-6, 2-2 due to her painful hip.

• The third-ranked Halep pulled out before the tournament because of a leg injury.

• Third seed Sabalenka crashes out- After the exits of Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka, Aryna Sabalenka was the highest seed remaining in Paris but she succumbed to a 4-6, 6-2, 0-6 third-round defeat to 31st seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

• Victoria Azarenka beats Madison Keys- seals a comfortable and deserved 6-2 6-2 victory. Azarenka reached fourth round for first time in eight years, since 2013.

• Defending champion Iga Swiatek breezed through to the third round, beating Rebecca Peterson 6-1, 6-1.

[Jay]

Yana Sizikova arrested at French Open in match-fixing investigation

• Russian player detained in case from last year’s tournament
• Large sums reportedly wagered on break of serve in match

Sizikova, a 26-year-old doubles specialist, was taken into custody on Thursday night in relation to an investigation dating back to October for “sports corruption” and “organized gang fraud”.

The arrest, however, relates to last year’s Roland Garros when bookmakers issued alerts for abnormal betting patterns during Sizikova’s first-round women’s doubles match alongside Madison Brengle of the United States, which they lost 7-6(8) 6-4 to Romanians Andreea Mitu and Patricia Maria Tig.

During that encounter, hundreds of thousands of euros were reportedly wagered on a break of serve at 2-2 in set two. Sizikova was culpable for three of the points conceded, including two double faults, as she lost her serve to love.

Source: The Guardian

[Rohan]

Men’s singles Results so far

• In the men’s section, top-ranked and former champions Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer advanced to the men’s third round.

• Federer beat Marin Cilic 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 for his ninth win in 10 meetings against the big-serving Croat and fifth in majors.

The eighth-seeded Federer next faces unseeded Dominik Koepfer.

• World No.1 Djokovic secured a comfortable victory 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in his first career meeting with Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas to clinch a last 32 spot in Paris for a 16th consecutive year.

• Third seed Nadal delivered a clinical performance 6-0, 7-5, 6-2 against 53rd-ranked local player Richard Gasquet . The King of Clay will next face Brit Cameron Norrie.

As Nadal is aiming to win his 21st Grand Slam title to break the tie with Federer and take sole ownership of the all-time record for most Grand Slam men’s singles titles, his arch-rival also had the same goal.

[Jay]

Day 6 Highlights

• History-chasing Serena Williams pulled off a stunning 6-4, 6-4 win over compatriot Danielle Collins - advances to 4th round.

• 5th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas keeps his cool to beat American John Isner in four sets 5-7 6-3 7-6(3) 6-1 to move into the fourth round on Friday.

• Daniil Medvedev beats Reilly Opelka 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 - advances to 4th Round.

• Alexander Zverev beats Laslo Dere 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.

[Jay]

Roger Federer Withdraws From French Open 2021

Federer has withdrawn from the ongoing French Open.

Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam title winner, who will be 40 in two months’ time, battled over three and a half hours until 12:45 Sunday morning to reach the last 16 with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 win over 59th-ranked Dominik Koepfer.

“After discussions with my team, I’ve decided I will need to pull out of Roland Garros today,” the 39-year-old said.

"After two knee surgeries and over a year of rehabilitation it’s important that I listen to my body and make sure I don’t push myself too quickly on my road to recovery.

“I am thrilled to have gotten three matches under my belt. There is no greater feeling than being back on court.”

He was due back on court on Monday to tackle Matteo Berrettini for a place in the quarter-finals.

Federer is playing only his third tournament since last year’s Australian Open and has always said Wimbledon is his main goal.

He is chasing a ninth title at Wimbledon which starts on June 28.

[Rohan]

Day 9 Highlights

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Diego Schwartzman booked their spot in the French Open quarters as Coco Gauff, Barbora Krejcikova, Maria Sakkari and Iga Swiatek reached the Roland Garros quarterfinals.

India’s campaign ends after Rohan Bopanna crashes out of French Open.

• Djokovic survives Musetti scare
  Djokovic came through 6-7 (7), 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-0, 4-0 in 3 hours and 27 minutes to take his place in the last eight, where he’ll play another Italian Matteo Berrittini. It was a disappointing end to a clash that hit all the right notes at the start.
  “I was playing my best tennis, for sure. I have never played like today,” Musetti, who was struggling with cramps in the second half of the match, said. “I had cramps and lower back pain. I was not able to win a point, so I decided to retire.”

• Like Djokovic, the 13-time champion Rafael Nadal got off to a shaky start, he was broken early and was trailing 3-5 in the first set against another Italian teenager Jannik Sinner. The third seed, however, quickly authored a turnaround, scoring a 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 win. The Spaniard will play 10-seeded Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the last eight.

• Maria Sakkari ousted fourth-seeded American Sofia Kenin, the highest ranked player in the women’s draw in the second week of the competition.
  The 25-year-old Greek was through 6-1, 6-3 in 68 minutes, charging to her first major quarterfinal. “I’m speechless,” the world No. 18 said.

• American teenager Coco Gauff also made her first Grand Slam quarterfinals, outpacing Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 6-3, 6-1 in 53 minutes. In the last eight, the17-year-old will play Barbora Krejcikova, the world No. 33, who put out the 2018 finalist Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-0.

• In men’s doubles quarters, India’s Rohan Bopanna and Croat Franko Skugor went down 5-7, 3-6 to Spaniards Pablo Andujar and Pedro Martinez.

[Jay]

Serena Williams knocked out by Elena Rybakina

Serena Williams’ quest for a record 24th Grand Slam will stretch on as she bowed out of the 2021 French Open with a 6-3, 7-5 loss to Elena Rybakina at the Roland Garros in Paris on Sunday (June 6).
Williams, whose last Grand Slam title came in 2017 at the Australian Open, was unable to find her A game.

[Rohan]

Day 11 HIGHLIGHTS

Nadal and Djokovic Through to Semis, Swiatek Knocked Out

• World number one Novak Djokovic overcame Matteo Berrettini in four sets to progress into the semis of the 2021 French Open. Djokovic won 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 to set up a last-four battle against 13-time champion Rafael Nadal.
  Semi-Final bound

Djokovic extends his Roland Garros win-loss record to 79-15. He has now won 308 Grand Slam matches. This was the 10th time Djokovic has qualified for the semi-final of the French Open. It’s also the 40th time he has reached the semis at Grand Slam events.

• Rafael Nadal advanced to the semi-finals with a gritty 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 win over Diego Schwartzman.
  Semi-Final bound

• Defending champion Iga Swiatek was knocked out in the quarter-finals after a straight sets loss 4-6, 4-6 to Greek Maria Sakkari, who made her first Grand Slam semi-final.
  Semi-Final bound

• Barbora Krejcikova ended teenager Coco Gauff’s incredible journey at Roland Garros as she beat her 7-6(6), 6-3 to make her first singles Grand Slam semi-final.
  Semi-Final bound

[Jay]

A surprising exit this week was of Daniil Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev’s campaign at Roland-Garros came to an end on Tuesday with an ill-judged underarm serve on match point to Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The World No. 2 was beaten 6-3, 7-6(3), 7-5 by the Greek fifth seed.

The Russian decided to serve underarm on match point down. But as he approached the net, hoping to finish the point with a volley, Tsitsipas merely fired a backhand winner beyond him.

“Usually guys are a bit surprised. But it didn’t work out at all. I won’t say it was a mistake. It was something that I dared to do and maybe next time I won’t do it knowing that he’s ready.”

Tsitsipas had his own description for the ploy which backfired so badly for his opponent.

“A very millennial shot,” said the Greek.

“I saw he kind of stopped. I felt like there was something coming up, so at that point I think I got prepared for it.”

[Jay]

Women’s Final - Sat 12 June - Barbora Krejcikova to meet Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Czech Barbora Krejcikova showed incredible spirit to beat Maria Sakkari in a classic French Open semi-final and reach her first Grand Slam final.

Krejcikova, 25, won 7-5 4-6 9-7 with her fifth match point - after saving one herself - in a dramatic match lasting over three hours.

Krejcikova ranked 33rd in the singles and also a former doubles World #1 will play Russian 31st seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the final.

Pavlyuchenkova also reached her first Grand Slam final beating Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek 7-5 6-3 on the Paris clay.

[Jay]

Men’s Singles- Who will advance to the French Open Final?

Nadal Djokovic

Nadal is bidding for a record-extending 14th success at Roland Garros, where he has won 105 of his 107 career matches.

Djokovic won his one and only title on the Paris clay in 2016 and is bidding to become the first man in the Open era to win all four Grand Slams twice.

Tsitsipas Zverev

This match is also a close one to call.

Both men have already won the season-ending ATP Finals in their careers, but are yet to land one of the sport’s four biggest prizes.

Tsitsipas is yet to play in a Grand Slam final, having reached the semi-finals in each of the past three majors but unable to advance.

Zverev reached the US Open final last year, leading by two sets against Dominic Thiem before the Austrian fought back to win.

Both are bidding to play in their first French Open final, with the German already having achieved a career-best run to the last four.

LIVE SCORE

[Rohan]

@Jay

Nadal Djokovic

Greek 5th seed Tsitsipas, 22, and German 6th seed Zverev, 24, are both aiming for a first Grand Slam triumph and play in tonight’s opening match on Court Philippe Chatrier (13:50 BST / 18:20 IST).

Both men are very comfortable on the red dirt and each claimed Masters titles - Tsitsipas in Monte Carlo and Zverev in Madrid - during the European clay swing coming into Roland Garros.