Serena Williams, Azarenka, Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Zverev Reach Roland Garros Sweet 16, Sabalenka, Ruud Ousted
(June 4, 2021) Three-time champion Serena Williams recovered from a 1-4 deficit in the second set to beat American countrywoman Danielle Collins 6-4, 6-4 in the third round of Roland Garros on Friday in Paris. The seventh seed is seeking her 24th major title and will face 21st seed Elena Rybakina, who beat Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-4 in the fourth round. This will be Rybakina’s first time in the fourth round of a major tournament.
“I felt that I needed to be really focused way a lot in this match because she’s playing really well,” Williams said after the match. “I’ve had a rough clay court season thus far, so I’m happy to get some wins on the clay.” Williams came into the French Open with first round losses in two clay events.
Collins, just two months ago had surgery for endometriosis.
You love to see it 🤗🇺🇸❤️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/8q7akYwjZb
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2021
Williams is the highest seed left in the bottom half of the draw. The third seed Aryna Sabalenka was upset by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 2-6, 6-0 on Friday.
Pavlyuchenkova will play No. 15 seed Victoria Azarenka who dismissed 23rd seed Madison Keys 6-2, 6-2.
In men’s action second seed Daniil Medvedev came into this year’s French Open with an 0-4 record at the tournament. He has now reached the fourth round with his defeat of No. 32 Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. The finalist at the 2021 Australian Open and 2019 U.S. Open will take on Chilean Cristian Garin, the 22nd seed.
Stefano Tsitsipas, the fifth seed won his 36th match of the year to make the sweet 16 in the men’s draw. The Greek rallied from a set down to beat 31st seed American John Isner 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-1.
Tsitsipas will play No. 12 Pablo Carreno Busta for a place in the quarterfinals.
Alejandro with the UPSET 💥
🇪🇸@alexdavidovich1 struts his way to a R4 debut at #RolandGarros with a showstopping 7-6(3), 2-6, 7-6(6), 0-6, 7-5 win over No.15 seed Ruud. Delbonis next. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/06A7pkNQu1
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2021
Sixth seed Alexander Zverev also advanced with a straight sets win. Seeds falling on Friday included No. 15 Casper Ruud and No. 27 Fabio Fognini.
Kei Nishikori advanced when his opponent qualifier Henri Laaksonen retired while trailing 7-5.
The Associated Press reported that Russian player Yana Sizikova was arrested at the French Open and then released from police custody for “sports bribery and organized fraud for acts likely to have been committed in September 2020.”
