Swiatek sets up Zheng clash as Medvedev moves on at Roland Garros

Iga Swiatek will play Qinwen Zheng in the French Open fourth round after seeing off Danka Kovinic in straight sets on Saturday.

The winner of five WTA titles this season, Swiatek extended her winning run to 31 matches following victory over the world number 95.

It was not all plain sailing for the Pole, who trailed 5-4 in the second set from 4-1 up.

Nevertheless, the world number one got back on track to close out a 6-3 7-5 win; becoming the fourth female player to prevail from 17 of her first 19 matches at Roland Garros after Margaret Court, Chris Evert and Monica Seles.

The 2020 champion is the only top-10 seed remaining heading into the fourth round; the only other instance of this in a Slam during this century came at Wimbledon in 2018.

Indeed, seventh seed Aryna Sabalenka was denied in three sets by Camila Giorgi, while third seed Paula Badosa retired through illness at 6-3 2-1 down against Veronika Kudermetova.

Swiatek’s next challenge will be Chinese teenager Zheng, who secured her maiden last-16 appearance at a Slam by overcoming Alize Cornet after the home favourite retired injured with her opponent well in control at 6-0 3-0 to the good.

Madison Keys – a 2018 semi-finalist here – beat Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-1 7-6(3), while Daria Kasatkina saw off Shelby Rogers in a battle of the former quarter-finalists.

World number 63 Irina-Camelia Bagu ended the hopes of home favourite Leolia Jeanjean to set up a last-16 clash with Jessica Pegula, who overcame 2021 semi-finalist Tamara Zidansek 6-1 7-6(2).

Pegula’s victory means that five American female players will appear in the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time since 2003.

Over in the men’s draw, second seed Daniil Medvedev made it nine sets from nine as he breezed past Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2 6-2 6-2 to set up a showdown with Marin Cilic.

The former US Open champion hit 42 winners as he ran out a commanding 6-0 6-3 6-2 victor over veteran Gilles Simon, who received a standing ovation on his 17th and final appearance at his home Slam.

Hubert Hurkacz has also reeled off nine sets without reply – the Pole sweeping aside David Goffin – as has Danish teenager Holger Rune, who prevailed 6-3 6-3 6-3 against Hugo Gaston.

Rune’s reward is a clash with 2021 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas, who recorded his 18th main-draw victory – his personal best in any event on the ATP circuit – after a comprehensive 6-2 6-2 6-1 rout of Mikael Ymer.

Andrey Rublev and Jannik Sinner will face off in round four after defeating Cristian Garin and Mackenzie McDonald respectively, while Casper Ruud overcame a stubborn Lorenzo Sonego in a five-set thriller.

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French Open 2022 Day Seven Results

Saturday May 28

Round Three

COURT PHILIPPE-CHATRIER
Iga SWIATEK (POL) [1] 6-3 7-5 Danka KOVINIC (MNE)
Qinwen ZHENG (CHN) 6-0 3-0 Ret. Alize CORNET (FRA)
Gilles SIMON (FRA) 0-6 3-6 2-6 Marin CILIC (CRO) [20]
Holger RUNE (DEN) 6-3 6-3 6-3 Hugo GASTON (FRA)

COURT SUZANNE-LENGLEN
Irina-Camelia BEGU (ROU) 6-1 6-4 Leolia JEANJEAN (FRA)
Miomir KECMANOVIC (SRB) [28] 2-6 4-6 2-6 Daniil MEDVEDEV [2]
Paula BADOSA (ESP) [3] 3-6 1-2 Ret. Veronika KUDERMETOVA [29]
Mikael YMER (SWE) 2-6 2-6 1-6 Stefanos TSITSIPAS (GRE) [4]

COURT SIMONE-MATHIEU
Mackenzie MCDONALD (USA) 3-6 6-7(6) 3-6 Jannik SINNER (ITA) [11]
Camila GIORGI (ITA) [28] 4-6 6-1 6-0 Aryna SABALENKA [7]
David GOFFIN (BEL) 5-7 2-6 1-6 Hubert HURKACZ (POL) [12]
Madison KEYS (USA) [22] 3-6 6-1 7-6(3) Elena RYBAKINA (KAZ) [16]

COURT 7
Shelby ROGERS (USA) 3-6 2-6 Daria KASATKINA [20]

COURT 14
Andrey RUBLEV [7] 6-4 3-6 6-2 7-6(11) Cristian GARIN (CHI)
Jessica PEGULA (USA) [11] 6-1 7-6(2) Tamara ZIDANSEK (SLO) [24]
Casper RUUD (NOR) [8] 6-2 6-7(3) 1-6 6-4 6-3 Lorenzo SONEGO (ITA) [32]