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The men made it a sweep with all 10 Top 10 seeds making the fourth round at the French Open. And today, none of them who in action were in any serious peril.
Novak Djokovic all but crushed qualifier Salvatore Caruso 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
“Caruso was very motivated. I thought he stepped into the court having a clear game plan, attacking the ball from both the forehand and backhand. He was hitting his backhand very, very good, very solid. He actually pleasantly surprised me with his game,” Djokovic said. “I had to change my tactics quite a bit throughout the match. I think midway through the match I stepped it up a little bit. I feel like I took my game to a different level, which then resulted with an easier third set. It was a straight-sets win, but… it was tougher than the score indicated.”
Djokovic, who has won 24 straight in Grand Slam play, now meets Jan-Lennard Struff after the German pulled off an epic 4-6, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(1), 11-9 win over Borna Coric to reach his first Slam 16.
Fabio Fognini dispatched Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(5), 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. The Monte Carlo champion now faces Alexander Zverev. Zverev cruised early, fell apart, but then rolled in the end with a 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 6-2.
“Great to come through,” Zverev said. “Obviously he’s been somebody that has been playing very well, made finals of Monte-Carlo, one of the best clay-court players that we had this season. It’s nice to get the win.”
Zverev gets Fabio Fognini next. The Italian eased past Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(5), 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.
“He’s playing very well, hasn’t lost more than a set so far in a match,” Zverev said. “It’s going to be difficult match. I’m ready for it. I think I’m playing much better than I have the last few months.”
2018 runner-up Dominic Thiem scored his third straight 4-set win beating Pablo Cuevas 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. Thiem still doesn’t look to be at his best, but he’s winning. Next will be a very interesting match against French favorite Gael Monfils who had zero troubles with countryman Antoine Hoang 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
“It was my best match so far at the French Open. Not at all perfect yet, but the best so far,” Thiem said. “He played well, especially in the beginning and then at the end of the match.”
Also today, Karen Khachanov has been quietly playing good tennis. The big Russian destroyed Martin Klizan 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. Up ahead on Monday will be fellow big-man Juan Martin del Potro who showed no knee issues in hammering Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.
In two matches finished from yesterday, Stefanos Tsitsipas hung on to beat Filip Krajinovic and Stan Wawrinka took care of Grigor Dimitrov in three tiebreaks.
The two of them now collide tomorrow for a first time in a great match.
“He always looks like he gives himself a lot of time to play. He doesn’t feel like under pressure. So he’s playing the game well,” Wawrinka said.
Also tomorrow, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer return against Argentines. Nadal will meet the surprising Juan Ignacio Londero. Federer will face vet Leonardo Mayer for a fourth time.
Following a tough 5-set win, Kei Nishikori returns to battle Benoit Paire for a third time at Roland Garros. Nishikori has won both in Paris and six of eight overall.
SUNDAY FRENCH OPEN SCHEDULE
Court Philippe CHATRIER Début à 11h00
Kaia KANEPI (EST) contre Petra MARTIC (CRO) [31]
Leonardo MAYER (ARG) contre Roger FEDERER (SUI) [3]
Juan Ignacio LONDERO (ARG) contre Rafael NADAL (ESP) [2]
Sloane STEPHENS (USA)[7] contre Garbiñe MUGURUZA (ESP) [19]
Court Suzanne LENGLEN Début à 11h00
Marketa VONDROUSOVA (CZE) contre Anastasija SEVASTOVA (LAT)[12]
Donna VEKIC (CRO) [23] contre Johanna KONTA (GBR) [26]
Stefanos TSITSIPAS (GRE) [6] contre Stan WAWRINKA (SUI) [24]
Kei NISHIKORI (JPN) [7] contre Benoit PAIRE (FRA)
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