Roland Garros 2026 Women’s Day 4

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.