The French Open
Roland Garros 2024 Women’s Day 9
Grand Slam champions Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina pounded out decisive wins in barely an hour each on Monday to begin Week 2 at the French Open by running down opponents.
Two-time Australian Open holder Sabalenka took quick revenge for a March loss at Indian Wells, defeating Emma Navarro 6-2, 6-3 in 69 minutes.
That was the same time it took for former Wimbledon champion Rybakina to reach her ninth quarter-final of the season 6-4, 6-3 over Elina Svitoliona.
Second seed Sabalenka began and ended the match with breaks of the Navarro serve, piling on with 36 winners and just a dozen unforced errors in dry, pleasant conditions.
“With the sun you feel more positive on court,” the winner said. “There was a bit of wind but I was focusing on myself and each point.
“We had a tough battle at Indian Wells so I was ready to fight for every point.
“I knew there would be long rallies and that I would have to work to get through this match.”
She added: “I felt quite confident: I was playing really great tennis when it was cold.
“Today I played really great tennis as well… it was warm with different
conditions.
“I would say it doesn’t matter which condition, all that matters is how focused I’m going to be.”
Kazakh fourth seed Rybakina equalled her best showing at Roland Garros – a 2021 quarter-final – with her defeat of Svitolina.
.”I’m playing the same style (on clay), she said. “I need to play aggressive, and I just need to have more patience in rallies.
“Today I was making some unforced errors because I was rushing. But I think it’s all about the footwork in these long rallies in the end
“I’m really happy to be in the quarter-finals. I’m looking forward to the next matches.”
Four-time Paris quarter-finalist Svitolina was unable to make an impression in the match as she was broken three times.
Rybakina nearly balanced her wins (26) and unforced errors (23) as she posted a 13th career win at the venue.
The match was played in sunshine as the start of Week 2 finally brought some sun after a rainy week.
“It’s nice to have some good weather and play with a roof,” the winner said. “The ball bounces a bit more but I’m enjoying the weather.”
Svitolina, who has been managing a back problem since the start of the season, said her fitness is still a work in progress.
“I feel like I’m getting better physically. I’m not 100 per cent yet, but I
feel like we are doing everything possible every single day with
my team to get there, to give myself a good chance.
“I’ve had great matches here, which already is a big step for me. Coming into this tournament I was not feeling good.
“I was not in the right place, but then I fought hard and I actually found myself in the fourth round and playing not bad.”
Rybakina will bid for the semi-finals against Jasmine Paolini after the Italian 12th seed staged a comeback to defeat Elina Avanesyan 4-6, 6-0, 6-1.
Paolini is into a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time in her sixth appearance in Paris; she is the sixth from her nation to advance this far at the event.
“It feels so good and I’m really happy. Today was a tough match,” Paolini said.
“I didn’t start so well, I was a little bit nervous maybe.
“But then I repeat to myself to stay calm and to try to find a way. It went well, so I’m really happy.”
Main photo:- Aryna Sabalenka winning today – by Roger Parker,I nternational Sports Fotos
Alexander Zverev on Thursday made a long-sought after return to the Shanghai Masters semi-finals, booking his first final four at the event since 2019, defeating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4.
The 2027 year-end No. 1 last got this far as the Covid pandemic began to surface in China in 2019. The event was not played 2020-2022, with the German making modest progress here over the past three editions since resumption.
After winning his 62nd match of the season, the 29-year-old was pleased with his performance.
“I think it was a huge step up. From just being on the court I felt both of us were playing really well.
“I was, a lot of the time, outhitting Alex, which is difficult to do from the baseline because he is so fast and he loves this kind of court speed here.
“I felt good and I’m happy with the step up from the past couple of matches.”
Zverev advanced in 78 minutes, sending over 10 aces as he defeated the Australian for the ninth time in their 13 matches.
Added the reigning Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows Grand Slam champion: “I’ve been handling pressure quite okay this year. In a way you play a bit more relaxed.
“Once Jannik (SInner) unfortunately announced he won’t play for the rest of the year, I’m 4,000 points ahead of everyone else, so I trust myself enough that I’m going to win [enough matches].
Zverev will play for the final to wrap up the Asian swing as he takes on Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who advanced when Arthur Gea quit their quarter-final with injury.
Alexander Zverev will claim world year-end No. 1 honours for the first time on the back of two Grand Slam titles and a final this season.,
The ATP confirmed the changing of the guard as current No. 1 Jannik Sinner ended his season early last week due to a knee injury which has kept him off court since winning Wimbledon three months ago.
Zverev won Roland Garros and US Open trophies and lost to Sinner in the All England Club final.
His reign at the top will begin after the ATP Final in Turin with the ranking period starting on November 23.
Zverev will be 29 years, 217 days old on the date, three days older than Andre Agassi in 1999 (29 years, 214 days).
Main photo:- Alexander Zverev by ISF Ltd
Zheng Qinwen continued an injury comeback season on Sunday, defeating Roland Garros winner Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 to win the China Open.
Victory at the 1000-level event was the first trophy for the 54th-raked Chinese player who once reached fourth in the world before elbow surgery.
Zheng saved three set points in the opening set and claimed victory by winning the last 11 points of the set, breaking late in the second to conclude her success over her teenaged opponent.
The winner now owns six career trophies after winning her first 1000; she last claimed a title in Tokyo two years ago.
In an odd twist, the new winner was cajoled into singing a few bars of karaoke during the trophy ceremony.
She will now move back into the ranking top 25 while Andreeva advances to third in the world behind Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka after defeating her third top 10 opponent this season.
“The feeling was incredible, two weeks here in Beijing, in front of my home crowd is one of my dreams, especially playing against Mirra, such a great player,” the winner said.
“I’ve been through a very, very tough year.”
Andreeva broke new ground in her own career by reaching the final, becoming the third-youngest this century to reach the top 3 behind Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters.
“She’s a great server. I also think today I missed a lot of returns trying to go for it, trying to be more aggressive,” Andreeva said,
“I wanted to go for it but couldn’t really find I guess the margin, couldn’t really find the rhythm, as well. I will probably need to look at this match and just see why, try to improve and learn from that.
“Overall of course it was a good tournament,” she added. “A lot of positives to take from these two weeks. Of course, I felt like today just wasn’t meant to be.
“I think I will be able to look to this match maybe from a different perspective and see maybe some good things.”
Main photo:- Zheng Quinwen by ISF Ltd
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