The French Open

Roland Garros 2026 Women’s Day 4

Published

5 months ago

May 27, 2026

Iga Swiatek ran her winning record at Roland Garros to 42-3 on Wednesday as the third seed demolished Czech Sara Bejlek 6-2, 6-3 for a spot in the third round on another toasty day.

But there was a shock as second seed Elena Rybakina was bundled out 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) by Yuliia Starodubtseva in a dramatic finish on Lenglen in late afternoon heat.

Rybakina, a double Grand Slam winner who claimed the Australian Open crown in January, exited with more than 70 unforced errors after coming from a break down in the third set.

“It’s just a pity, because I was practising well before French Open, and I thought that I can raise the level,” the Kazakh said.

“But actually today it was a very bad performance, too many unforced errors. I didn’t feel the greatest. I was trying to find a way, but it clearly didn’t work.”

Four-time Paris title winner Swiatek has only ever lost here to Aryna Sabalenka, Maria Sakkari and Simona Halep in eight appearances dating to 2019. She has won 28 of her last 29 matches at the event.

The heatwave which kicked off at the weekend continued with temperatures in the lower 30s Celsius, with no relief expected until Sunday when temperatures are expected to drop to around 24.

“Usually the weather is quite different (chillier) here, but it doesn’t matter. It’s going to change, I feel, in the second part of the tournament,” Swiatek said.

“I guess this tournament is really about whoever will cope with both of these conditions will win.”

Third seed Swiatek called the contest “a tricky match in terms of the rhythm, because Sara plays differently than most of the players,” after her opponent made life more difficult in the second set..

“But I’m happy with the way I adjusted and how I was making decisions..sometimes, yeah, it was not so obvious when to go and
attack and stay back.”

Swiatek will next face Polish compatriot Magda Linette, who upset 2017 Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostpenko 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.

Linette stunned former world No. 1 Swiatek two months ago in the Miami second round.

Tournament seventh seed Elina Svitolina, this month’s Rome champion, rolled through Kaitlin Quevedo 6-0, 6-4 to reach the third round here for an 11th time.

The Ukrainian extended her winning streak to eight matches in a row, marking her 31st of the season.

Swiss former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic advanced with the loss of just four games as she hammered American Caty McNally, breaking six times from seven chances in 86 minutes on court.

The first woman to reach the third round lost just seven points as she ran away with a love second set.

But Bencic said it was not a flawless performance. “At the start it was a bit more tricky to get into the rhythm,. With my serving I felt not so great today.

“But I thought I was experienced enough and maybe more smart today to win (without) playing perfect tennis.”

She added: “I’m in the third round. I’m feeling good when I’m practising. I like the

conditions. My aim is to win the next round.”

American Payton Stearns advanced 6-4, 6-0 over Daris Snigur of Ukraine while Swiss Viktorija Golubic beat Alicia Parks 2 and 2.

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Roland Garros 2026 Men’s Day 4

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ATP

Zverev scratches 7-year itch with return to Shanghai SF

Published

1 day ago

October 15, 2026

Bill Scott

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.

ATP

Zverev to take over as world No. 1

Published

4 days ago

October 12, 2026

Bill Scott

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

China Open

Zheng claims China Open title over Andreeva

Published

5 days ago

October 11, 2026

Bill Scott

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