Daniil Medvedev reached his first career French Open third round. After a error-filled opening set, the World No. 2 rolled American Tommy Paul 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3.

Earlier in the day, following a 0-2 comeback in the first round, Alexander Zverev looked much better today with a 7-6(4), 6-3, 7-6(1) over qualifier Roman Safiullin.

“First week you play against guys, some of them play first, second, third time of a Grand Slam,” Zverev said. “They’re very motivated. They’re excited to play on the big courts, like I thought today.

“I think he played a fantastic match. Yeah, I’m happy to be through in three sets. The match definitely wasn’t easy.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas was down a break early but other cruised to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win over Pedro Martinez of Spain.

“It was a good match, and both of us we fought hard. It was a very tough match despite it finishing in three sets,” said Tsitsipas.

The win sets up a big showdown Friday with Tsitsipas taking on American big man John Isner who has his game going at the moment in the warm, dry conditions.

“I’m sure he can serve well right now,” Tsitsipas siad. “Also, I’m sure he’s a guy who likes to play on clay. You know, conditions are obviously the way they are. Just going to have to do my thing. Just have to find my way around it.”

Said Isner following his win over Filip Krajinovic, “These conditions out here are really tailor-made for me, I believe. I’ve played six sets and held serve all six sets, and I hope in a couple days’ time it’s going to be hot just like it was today.”

Isner wasn’t the only American man having a good day. Reilly Opelka posted a great win over Jaume Munar 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.

Marcos Giron upended Guido Pella in four sets and Steve Johnson won his second straight 5-set match beating Thiago Montiero of Brazil.

MacKenzie McDonald had 2 match points in the third but couldn’t close out a big upset over Cristian Garin. The Chilean took advantage and won a tight one 4-6, 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-3, 8-6.

Kei Nishikori also won a second straight 5-setter toppling Karen Khachanov 4-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

“I had a four hours first match, four hours today,” Nishikori said. “After the third set lost, I keep telling myself if I want to keep playing. There was no answer for me, but I just keep playing.

“My body say no, but my mind was just keep playing. So I was able to win the fourth set without thinking anything. Of course, fifth set you want to fight till the end. Even though I was tired, I was keep playing. At the end I got my chances coming and I grab it, play good I think the last game.”

Fabio Fognini and Casper Ruud were also winners and Henri Laaksonen upset Roberto Bautista Agut in four.

Tomorrow, the Big 3 are all back on the same day. After a night match on Monday, Novak Djokovic will be sent to Lenglen to meet shot-maker Pablo Cuevas in a surprising first-time meeting between two guys in their mid-30s.

Following a flawless first round, Roger Federer returns to battle Marin Cilic for an 11th time. Federer leads Cilic 9-1 including a win in thier last meeting at the 2018 Australian Open final.

Rafael Nadal drew the night session. And the 14-time champion will celebrate his 35th birthday by facing French veteran Richard Gasquet. Nadal leads his longtime foe 16-0.

Gael Monfils, Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner are also on court.

THURSDAY FRENCH OPEN SCHEDULE
** Court Philippe CHATRIER ** Début à 12h00
1 SD 2 Ashleigh BARTY (AUS) [1] contre Magda LINETTE (POL)
2 SD 2 Karolina PLISKOVA (CZE) [9] contre Sloane STEPHENS (USA)
Pas avant 16h00
3 SM 2 Marin CILIC (CRO) contre Roger FEDERER (SUI) [8]
Pas avant 21h00
4 SM 2 Rafael NADAL (ESP) [3] contre Richard GASQUET (FRA)

** Court Suzanne LENGLEN ** Début à 11h00
1 SD 2 Ann LI (USA) contre Elina SVITOLINA (UKR)[5]
2 SM 2 Mikael YMER (SWE) contre Gael MONFILS (FRA)[14]
Pas avant 14h30
3 SM 2 Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB) [1] contre Pablo CUEVAS (URU)
4 SD 2 Anett KONTAVEIT (EST) [30] contre Kristina MLADENOVIC (FRA)