Follow along as fourth-round singles action kicks off at Roland-Garros 2022
© Loïc Wacziak/FFTSpanish No.6 seed Carlos Alcaraz blasted into a maiden Roland-Garros quarter-final with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 result over No.21 seed Karen Khachanov in a night-session special on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday.
Khachanov saved five match points in the ninth game of the third set, holding for 4-5 in a 12-minute game. But it only delayed the inevitable as Alcaraz completed the win in straights the following game to move into the second Grand Slam quarter-final of his young career.
The 18-year-old phenom improved to 32-3 win-loss for the season (20-1 on clay) and will next tackle third-seeded Alexander Zverev for a spot in the semi-finals.
Earlier in the day, Zverev was pushed to his limits before overcoming Spanish qualifier Bernabe Zapata Miralles 7-6(11), 7-5, 6-3 to reach a fourth Roland-Garros quarter-final in five years.
Rafael Nadal's quest for a record-extending 14th Roland-Garros crown is still alive as the Spaniard squeezed past No.9 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the fourth round on Sunday.
The fifth-seeded Nadal, facing Auger-Aliassime for the first time since his uncle and former coach Toni Nadal joined the Canadian's coaching staff last year, landed just 50% of his first serves in, and converted just one of seven break points in the opening set.
Nadal served significantly better in the second instalment, posting a 74% first-serve percentage and saving the two break points he faced.
With the clash entering a fifth set, Nadal had converted just five out of 19 break points opportunities so far. But a crucial break of serve in the decider sealed the win for the popular Mallorcan.
The win earned Nadal a spot in the quarter-finals and a 59th career meeting with long-time rival Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic's title defence campaign continued with a smooth 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 result against Argentine No.15 seed Diego Schwartzman on Sunday as the world No.1 reached a 13th consecutive Roland-Garros quarter-final.
Djokovic improved to 16-0 in fourth rounds here in Paris and will take on Nadal for a 10th time at this tournament.
American teen Coco Gauff punched her ticket to the Roland-Garros quarter-finals for a second straight year with an impressive 6-4, 6-0 dismissal or Belgium's Elise Mertens.
The 18-year-old Floridian gave the Miami Heat a shout-out when signing the camera lens after her victory, urging them to get the W over the Boston Celtics tonight in Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
Gauff's reward is a last-eight date with fellow American Sloane Stephens, who trounced Swiss No.23 seed Jil Teichmann 6-2, 6-0 in just 63 minutes.
Stephens, a runner-up in Paris in 2018, is through to her third Roland-Garros quarter-final in five years.
Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez moved into a maiden Roland-Garros quarter-final courtesy of an impressive 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory over No.27 seed Amanda Anisimova on Court Philipp-Chatrier on Sunday.
The 2021 US Open finalist was a junior champion here in Paris in 2019 and is looking to replicate that success on the senior stage this fortnight.
The No.17 seed will next take on Italian Martin Trevisan for a place in the final four.
© Corinne Dubreuil/FFTEarlier on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, Martina Trevisan advanced to her second Roland-Garros quarter-final in three years, following a straight-sets victory over Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
The world No.59’s 7-6(10), 7-5 victory extended her winning streak to nine matches after capturing her first career title in Rabat nine days ago.
Sasnovich, who was appearing in just her second Grand Slam fourth round after Wimbledon 2018, was not without her chances in a tight opening set, when she served for it at 6-5 only to be broken.
Trevisan’s persistence paid off as she converted on her fifth set point at the 74-minute mark.
Sasnovich had already taken down a pair of US Open champions, 12th seed Emma Raducanu and Angelique Kerber, in her previous two rounds but was unable to capitalise on her chances as her Italian opponent reeled off the final four games.
Trevisan could not contain her smile when she arrived at match point before setting a showdown Fernandez.
“I know that it’s weird that I was smiling but you know it helped me a lot during the moment of more patience and more nervous. I remember to smile and I feel better,” Trevisan said. “It’s not easy to do because the situation is very tough but I practise it a lot.
“Here in Paris there is a magic atmosphere for me. I like so much the court, the bounce is very high but at the same time it’s a very fast court. Paris, right now I feel like it’s my second home.
“I’m just enjoying the moment. It’s two incredible weeks and I keep focus every day on everything I’m doing. Keep smiling, that’s most important, the first thing. Now to rest because I’m very tired.”
© Julien Crosnier/FFTThe boys' and girls' singles tournaments kicked off on Sunday with lots of talent on display across the grounds at Roland-Garros.
Reigning Australian Open girls' champion Petra Marcinko breezed past Canadian Kayla Cross, while Angella Okutoyi, who made history for Kenya when she made the juniors third round at Melbourne Park earlier this year, was a straight-sets winner over Belgium's Amelie Van Impe.
>> BEST PHOTOS FROM THE JUNIORS COMPETITION
Last year's boys' singles runner-up at Wimbledon, Victor Lilov, fell to 17-year-old Mexican Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez, while Swiss qualifier Dylan Dietrich ousted Peruvian No.6 seed Gonzalo Bueno.
Nicolas Gouhier / FFT
ROLAND-GARROS
20 May - 9 June 2024
