World No. 1 Iga Swiatek marked her 23rd birthday with an impressive 6-4, 6-2 victory over Marie Bouzkova, securing her spot in the French Open’s last 16. Swiatek, the defending champion, overcame a significant challenge in the previous round, where she saved a match point against Naomi Osaka before winning. Against Bouzkova, Swiatek’s precise hitting dismantled the Czech player’s serve.
Swiatek’s dominant performance started with an early break to go 3-1 up in the first set. Although Bouzkova fought back, reducing the deficit from 5-2, Swiatek’s strategic play and 18 winners in the first set sealed her advantage. In the second set, Swiatek maintained her momentum, breaking Bouzkova’s serve twice to lead 4-0. Despite Bouzkova saving a match point, Swiatek ended the match with a decisive winner down the line.
Eighth seed Ons Jabeur continued her quest for a grand slam title with a 6-4, 7-6(5) win over Canadian Leylah Fernandez. Jabeur, who has reached the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open, aims to become the first Arab and African woman to win a grand slam.
American third seed Coco Gauff advanced with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska. Gauff, the US Open winner, showed resilience in the second set and will face Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto next.
Former finalist Marketa Vondrousova defeated France’s Chloe Paquet 6-1, 6-3, keeping her hopes of returning to the final alive.
Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi delivered a stunning performance to defeat sixth seed Andrey Rublev 7-6(8), 6-2, 6-4, equaling his best Grand Slam run. Arnaldi’s solid play was too much for Rublev, who struggled with his emotions during the match.
Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas and world No. 2 Jannik Sinner also progressed with straight-set victories. Tsitsipas defeated China’s Zhang Zhizhen, while Sinner overcame Russian Pavel Kotov.
In men’s doubles, N Sriram Balaji and Mexico’s Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela Martinez secured a win, bolstering Balaji’s case for the Paris Olympics team. However, Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti exited in the first round.