Tennis

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player, survived a thrilling three-set battle against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka to reach the third round of the French Open on Wednesday.The match, which was billed as the "match of the tournament," lived up to its hype as both players showcased their exceptional skills and determination. Swiatek, who is seeking her fourth Roland Garros title in five years, rallied from a 2-5 deficit in the third set and saved a match point to secure a hard-fought 7-6 (1), 1-6, 7-5 victory.The first set was a closely contested affair, with both players trading blows from the back of the court. Osaka, who has been working hard to improve her clay-court game, showed signs of progress as she rallied from 2-4 down to earn a set point in the 10th game. However, Swiatek held her nerve and dominated the ensuing tiebreaker, winning it 7-1.Osaka turned the tables on Swiatek in the second set, blasting the ball through the court and confounding her opponent with a barrage of winners. Swiatek, who had won 12 straight matches this spring, looked out of sorts as Osaka leveled the match with a 6-1 victory.The third set began with a pair of titanic service games, with both players earning opportunities to break. Osaka drew first blood, holding on from three break points down to open the decider. However, Swiatek refused to go down without a fight and surged ahead 0-40 in the next game. Osaka saved five break points in that game alone, but Swiatek eventually broke through to level the set at 2-2.The intensity continued to build as both players refused to give an inch. Osaka struck a powerful forehand to put herself a game away from the upset, but Swiatek dug deep and saved the match point with a strong second-serve return.Errors began to creep into Osaka's game as Swiatek continued to apply pressure. The Japanese star double faulted to lose a fourth straight game, handing Swiatek the chance to serve for the match.Outrallying Osaka, Swiatek set up two match points with a thunderous backhand winner. Osaka saved the first match point, but Swiatek converted the second when Osaka erred wide off the backhand side after just under three hours on court.Swiatek's victory sets up a third-round clash with either Marie Bouzkova or Croatian lucky loser Jana Fett. The Pole will be aiming to continue her impressive run at Roland Garros, where she has won 16 straight matches and is yet to drop a set.

Ben Shelton, the rising American tennis star, has embraced the unique atmosphere of Roland Garros, where he recently triumphed over Frenchman Hugo Gaston in the first round. Despite the partisan crowd cheering for Gaston, Shelton relished the experience, describing it as "pretty special."Shelton's love for clay courts and European tennis culture is a departure from the traditional American aversion to the surface. He believes in adapting to the nuances of clay rather than resisting it. This mindset has led to solid results on clay, including a title in Houston and a 3-3 record on traditional red clay.Shelton's success on clay is not solely attributed to his physical attributes but also to his positive attitude. He thrives on the energy and atmosphere of clay-court events, even when the crowd is against him. This resilience stems from his experience playing in front of boisterous and hostile fans during his collegiate career at the University of Florida.Shelton's journey on clay is a testament to the changing attitudes of American players towards the surface. Inspired by the success of Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Sebi Korda, younger players like Shelton are embracing the challenges and rewards of clay-court tennis.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has begun his quest for a fourth Roland Garros title with a hard-fought opening victory over French wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert. The 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-4 win was a testament to Djokovic's resilience and determination, as he navigated a tricky three-set battle under the lights of Court Philippe-Chatrier.Djokovic, who must reach at least the final to maintain his No. 1 ranking, has been searching for his best form in 2024. He began the season with a surprising semifinal defeat at the Australian Open to Jannik Sinner and withdrew from the Miami Open after a shock opening-round loss to Luca Nardi. Despite these setbacks, Djokovic remains one of the favorites to win in Paris, where he has triumphed three times before.Herbert, a former world No. 36, has since fallen out of the Top 100 but made the most of his night session scheduling in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. He broke back after trailing by a break in the second set and forced a tiebreaker, which Djokovic ultimately won.In the third set, Herbert continued to keep things close, saving a pair of break points in the fourth game. However, Djokovic's relentless pressure eventually paid off, as Herbert committed an ill-timed double fault that put him two points from defeat. Djokovic sealed the victory with a strong forehand winner and a backhand down the line, sending Herbert over the finish line.Awaiting Djokovic in the second round is Roberto Carballés Baena, who overcame a late surge from Constant Lestienne to defeat the Frenchman in four sets. Djokovic has beaten the unseeded Spaniard twice at Grand Slam tournaments, most recently at the 2023 Australian Open.

Iga Swiatek vs. Naomi Osaka: A Clash of Titans on ClayIn a highly anticipated matchup, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek will face off against former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka in the second round of the French Open. The two players have a contrasting history on clay, with Swiatek dominating the surface and Osaka struggling to find her footing.Swiatek has established herself as the queen of clay, winning three French Open titles and compiling an impressive 29-2 record on the surface this season. Her powerful groundstrokes and relentless defense make her a formidable opponent on any court, but especially on clay.Osaka, on the other hand, has never advanced past the third round at Roland Garros. Her game is more suited to hard courts, where her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play can overwhelm opponents. However, she has shown signs of improvement on clay this season, reaching the semifinals in Madrid.Despite their contrasting records on clay, Osaka possesses the weapons to challenge Swiatek. Her serve is one of the most feared in the women's game, and her return of serve is equally impressive. If she can control the rallies and avoid unforced errors, she has a chance to upset the world No. 1.Jannik Sinner vs. Richard Gasquet: Youth vs. ExperienceIn another intriguing matchup, rising star Jannik Sinner will take on veteran Richard Gasquet. Sinner, ranked No. 2 in the world, is the clear favorite on paper. He has won a major title this year and has a dominant 29-2 record on the season.Gasquet, at 37 years old, is a former top-10 player who has seen his ranking decline in recent years. However, he remains a dangerous opponent on clay, where his experience and crafty shot-making can trouble even the best players.Sinner's youth and power will be a major advantage, but Gasquet's experience and crowd support could give him an edge. If Sinner can maintain his focus and avoid complacency, he should be able to secure the victory.Frances Tiafoe vs. Denis Shapovalov: A Battle of Shot-MakersTwo of the most exciting young players in the game, Frances Tiafoe and Denis Shapovalov, will face off in a clash of styles. Both players are known for their flashy shot-making and unpredictable play.Tiafoe, ranked No. 26, has a slight edge in the rankings and has been more consistent this season. Shapovalov, ranked No. 118, has struggled with injuries and inconsistency but remains a dangerous opponent on his day.This matchup promises to be an explosive and entertaining affair. Tiafoe's power and consistency may give him the edge, but Shapovalov's left-handed serve and ability to hit winners from any position make him a threat.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, begins his quest for a fourth French Open title on Tuesday, despite enduring a lackluster season. Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slams, is seeking to extend his record and equal Rafael Nadal's 14 Roland Garros titles.However, Djokovic has not won a title in 2024 and has yet to reach a final. He has suffered from a stomach problem and was accidentally hit on the head by a metal water bottle in Rome, causing nausea and dizziness.Despite these setbacks, Djokovic remains confident in his ability to perform well in Grand Slams. "I have always looked ahead, what is the next challenge, and what it takes for me to be better than I was last week," he said.Djokovic will face French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the first round, a player he has defeated in their only previous meeting. Herbert, ranked 142nd in the world, has not won a match on the main tour this year.Also in action on Tuesday is Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two and two-time Australian Open champion. Sabalenka is seeking her first Roland Garros final and is the only woman to beat world number one Iga Swiatek in a final on clay since 2019.Sabalenka will face Russia's Erika Andreeva in the first round. Fourth seed Elena Rybakina, who reached the quarterfinals in 2021, will take on Greet Minnen of Belgium.In the men's singles, Argentine qualifier Roman Andres Burruchaga, son of 1986 World Cup winner Jorge Burruchaga, will make his Grand Slam debut against Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff.

Alize Cornet, the 34-year-old French tennis star, is set to bid farewell to Roland Garros, the tournament where she has made a name for herself. Cornet, who has fallen out of the Top 100, will face a formidable opponent in world No. 8 Qinwen Zheng in the opening round.Zheng, a rising star from China, possesses world-class power from the baseline, making her a dangerous force on hard courts. However, her experience on clay is limited, with only 33 WTA-level matches played on the surface. This could prove to be an advantage for Cornet, who has a wealth of experience on clay, boasting a 121-109 career record on the surface.Cornet's ability to hit with heavy topspin and redirect her opponent's pace will be crucial in this matchup. She is known for her counter-punching style, which is particularly effective on clay. Additionally, the support of the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier is expected to give Cornet an emotional boost.While Zheng has the potential to dominate with her power, she may struggle to adapt to the demands of Roland Garros. The tournament requires a more varied approach, which Cornet is more likely to possess.Experts predict that Cornet will cover a massive game spread in this match. Her experience and ability to neutralize Zheng's power will likely keep the match competitive.

Ben Shelton's Roland Garros debut was a nostalgic experience for the American, who felt the familiar atmosphere of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in the Parisian crowd. Despite playing against a French opponent, Hugo Gaston, on Court 14, Shelton drew inspiration from the passionate support, which reminded him of his days competing in the Florida-Georgia rivalry."Obviously, he had the home field advantage, but I felt some love out there," Shelton said after his 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory. "The partisan atmosphere only added to the excitement."Shelton's connection to the SEC runs deep. He played for the University of Florida, where he helped the team win the 2021 NCAA Championship and claimed the 2022 NCAA Singles Championship. His father, Bryan Shelton, coached the team and is now back on his son's coaching staff alongside Dean Goldfine."I think playing at Georgia is comparable," Shelton said, referring to the rowdy atmosphere. "Not because of the noise, but because of the very nasty, choice words that people say to you in the stands."Shelton's college experience has shaped his approach to professional tennis. He has carried the lessons learned on and off the court into his ATP career, where he has already won two titles, including the Houston clay-court event earlier this year.In the second round of Roland Garros, Shelton will face Kei Nishikori, a former world No. 4 who has overcome injuries to return to Grand Slam competition. Nishikori defeated Gabriel Diallo, a former University of Kentucky player, in a five-set thriller.Shelton's journey at Roland Garros is a testament to his resilience and the influence of his college tennis roots. The American is embracing the challenge of playing on the biggest stage, drawing on the lessons and experiences that have shaped his career.

Rafael Nadal's quest for a record-extending 15th French Open title got off to a star-studded start on Monday, with arch-rival Novak Djokovic, successor Carlos Alcaraz, and WTA No. 1 Iga Swiatek among the spectators at the Phillippe-Chatrier court.Nadal, who has been battling recurring injuries, faces a tough first-round challenge against Alexander Zverev, who is in fine form after winning the Italian Open. The Spaniard holds a 7-3 win record against Zverev, including a victory in the 2022 French Open semifinal.However, Zverev is confident heading into the match, saying, "Ideally I would have liked to play him in at a later stage of the tournament, but it is how it is now. He is unseeded this year, I am seeded. It's a tough draw but it's a tough draw for both of us and we'll see how it goes."Nadal, who has hinted at the possibility of 2024 being his swansong year in tennis, is aware of the challenges ahead. "At some point somebody told me the draw. I mean, the reaction is something that I expected in some way. When you’re not seeded, anything can happen. That’s part of the business," he said.The match between Nadal and Zverev is expected to be a close and competitive affair. Nadal's experience and clay-court prowess will be tested against Zverev's power and recent form. The winner will face either Richard Gasquet or Hugo Grenier in the second round.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked tennis player, commenced her pursuit of a third consecutive Roland Garros title with an emphatic 6-1, 6-2 victory over French qualifier Léolia Jeanjean on Monday. This triumph extended her remarkable winning streak in Paris to 15 matches.Swiatek, who had won her previous 12 matches before arriving at the French Open, including back-to-back titles in Madrid and Rome, made light work of Jeanjean in a match that lasted just 61 minutes. The Pole converted all three break opportunities in the opening set, which she claimed in 30 minutes.Jeanjean briefly raised the spirits of the Chatrier crowd by breaking Swiatek's serve at the start of the second set. However, Swiatek quickly regained control, breaking back immediately and winning 10 consecutive points to move within a game of victory. She sealed the match with a powerful forehand that set up three match points, converting with a backhand into the open court.Swiatek's next opponent will be former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, who overcame a tough three-set battle with Italian Lucia Bronzetti on Sunday. Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles but has historically struggled on clay.Swiatek's dominance on clay is undeniable. She has won the Roland Garros title three times in the past four years, losing only one match in Paris since 2021. Her 2024 clay-court season began with a surprising loss in the semifinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, but she quickly rebounded with victories in Madrid and Rome.Jeanjean, a 28-year-old qualifier, enjoyed a memorable run at Roland Garros in 2022, where she stunned former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova en route to the third round. However, she proved to be no match for Swiatek, who is the overwhelming favorite to win a fourth title at the French Open.