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Defending Champions Nadal, Swiatek Advance Along with Djokovic, Federer Survives at Roland Garros

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Defending Champions Nadal, Swiatek Advance Along with Djokovic

 

(June 5, 2021) Defending Roland Garros champions Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek moved into the Sweet 16 on Saturday in Paris.

Nadal, who celebrated his 35th birthday on Thursday beat fellow southpaw, Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. The Spaniard, currently ranked No. 3 and winner of 13 Paris titles, has now reached his 50th career fourth round of a major. Nadal will face-off against Italian teen Jannik Sinner, the 18th seed. Sinner is one of three Italian men in the final 16 as Lorenzo Musetti and Mateo Berrittini also advanced.

“Jannik is not the best fourth round. Without a doubt, he’s a dangerous one,” Nadal said. “He’s young. He’s a great player. We know each other well, so let’s see. I need to be ready to play at a very high level of tennis to have chances to be in the quarterfinals, and I’m going to fight for it.”

Swiatek, the eighth seed from Poland came back from a break down in the first set to beat Annet Kontaveit 7-6 (4), 6-0.

Going back to the beginning of last year’s title run in Paris, Swiatek has won 20 straight sets.

 “I’m just happy that I’m able to play really solid in really important moments,” noted the Pole. She’ll play Marta Kostyuk who is making her major debut in the fourth round.

Last year’s finalist, Sofia Kenin, who is the highest seed left in the draw, needed to rally past fellow American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

“This whole year hasn’t been so great in terms of my tennis,” Kenin admitted. “I’ve had some early round exits. I’m just happy that I’m finally finding my rhythm and playing some good tennis again.”

Another young American is into the fourth round, as 17-year-old Coco Gauff moved on when her opponent, Jennifer Brady retired from the match with a leg injury down 6-1.

Gauff will play Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur for a spot in the Quarterfinals.

Also waving the stars and stripes for the USA, was 2018 French Open finalist Sloane Stephens who ousted 18th seed Karolina Muchova 6-3, 7-5. She’ll face Barbora Krekcikova who beat fifth seed Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-2.

No. 1 Novak Djokovic advanced to his 12th straight French Open fourth round by making easy work of Ricardis Berankas 6-1, 6-4, 6-1. He’ll face Lorenzo Musseti.

“He is a big challenge to me,” Djopkovic said. “So there is no question I have to go out playing a high level, because he will not have much to lose. I’m sure he’s going to come out and really try to play [the] tennis of his life one of the two big courts.”

 

Roger Federer survived a four-set struggle with German Dominik Koepfer 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 7-5 in the night session which finished at 12:43 am on Sunday. Federer will play Mateo Berrettini on Monday in the fourth round.

 

 

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