French Open: Alcaraz, Swiatek, Sabalenka Aim For Last 16 Spots At Roland Garros

Last Updated:May 30, 2025, 10:09 IST

Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka look to book their spot ar the French Open's last 16.

Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka at French Open (AP)

Carlos Alcaraz aims to secure his place in the French Open’s last 16 on Friday, with defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka also competing in the third round at Roland Garros.

Second seed Alcaraz progressed comfortably through his first two matches in Paris, despite losing a set to Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan. He next faces 69th-ranked Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in a night session. Dzumhur, reaching the last 32 for the first time since 2018, struggled with a knee injury during his victory over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion, is the favourite to win at Roland Garros, having claimed both the Monte Carlo Masters and Italian Open titles in the lead-up to the tournament. He has reached the second week in 10 of his last 11 Grand Slam appearances.

“If I lose focus in Grand Slams, in best-of-five matches, it’s easier to refocus," he said. “You have more time and more sets to come back if you lose your concentration."

The 22-year-old Spaniard could face either American 13th seed Ben Shelton or Italian Matteo Gigante with a win. World number 167 Gigante, in his second main draw appearance at a major, defeated former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round.

Eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti arrived in Paris in excellent form, following a runner-up finish in Monte Carlo and semi-final appearances in Madrid and Rome. The Italian is yet to drop a set and will next play Argentina’s world number 97 Mariano Navone.

“After the final in Monte Carlo, I felt a boost of confidence I needed," Musetti said.

Danish 10th seed Holger Rune, aiming to maintain his record of always reaching the last 16, faces Frenchman Quentin Halys in the third round.

Swiatek, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has dispelled doubts about her form with two convincing victories. She will play unseeded Romanian Jaqueline Cristian on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The Polish star defeated former US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the second round, conceding just three games.

“I have been feeling good, and that’s it," Swiatek said, hoping to become the first woman to win four consecutive Roland Garros titles since Suzanne Lenglen 102 years ago. “We’ll see what happens in the future. But these two matches were solid, so I’m happy with my performance."

Swiatek could face either former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina or 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko.

World number one Sabalenka continues her quest for a first Roland Garros title against Serbian left-hander Olga Danilovic in the opening match on Court Philippe Chatrier. The Belarusian last played Danilovic in Madrid Open qualifying seven years ago.

“She’s playing great tennis, and so am I," Sabalenka said. “It’s going to be a fight. I love challenges, and I’m excited to face her."

Chinese eighth seed Zheng Qinwen faces Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko in an intriguing match on Court Simonne Mathieu. The Olympic champion aims to extend her eight-match winning streak at Roland Garros after winning gold at the Paris Games last summer. However, 18-year-old Mboko has already won five matches in her run through qualifying.

“I’m expecting a big fight," Mboko said. “I’m going to bring everything I’ve got. It’s going to be a hard battle for me."

Fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, the 2024 losing finalist, continues her campaign against Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva, while Elina Svitolina targets a third consecutive last-16 appearance against American Bernarda Pera.

(With inputs from AFP)

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Location :

Paris, France

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News sports French Open: Alcaraz, Swiatek, Sabalenka Aim For Last 16 Spots At Roland Garros