French Open tennis – Elina Svitolina dumped out by Barbora Krejcikova at Roland Garros as another seed tumbles

Updated 05/06/2021 at 13:41 GMT

Svitolina joins fellow top 10 seeds Ashleigh Barty, Aryna Sabalenka, Bianca Andreescu, Karolina Pliskova and Belinda Bencic in crashing out before the second week. Second seed Naomi Osaka withdrew after being threatened with expulsion over a media boycott. The upshot? A very open women’s draw at Roland Garros.

Highlights: Krejcikova downs Svitolina as seeds continue to struggle

Elina Svitolina became the latest top player to be dumped out in the French Open women’s draw as Barbora Krejcikova staged an upset in the third round.

The Ukrainian, seeded fifth, was overpowered from the back of the court as she went down 6-3 6-2.

Svitolina becomes the latest top-10 casualty at Roland Garros, with only Sofia Kenin (fourth seed), Serena Williams (seventh) and defending champion Iga Swiatek (eighth) remaining in the draw.

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Krejcikova had never progressed beyond the second round in the singles draw at a Slam prior to this year’s tournament, with her best success coming on the doubles court with five major successes – including the women’s doubles title at the 2018 French Open.

But on Court Philippe-Chatrier, her inexperience rarely showed. She bullied Svitolina from the off, breaking immediately via deuce as she set the tone for a one-sided affair.

Although Krejcikova’s second serve took a pasting, winning just 25% of points when her first serve failed her, Svitolina could not impose herself in the rallies.

The world number 33’s reward is a last-16 meeting with Sloane Stephens, who ousted 18th seed Karolina Muchova 6-3 7-5 on Court Simonne Mathieu.

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Watch all the action from the 2021 French Open live on Eurosport, eurosport.co.uk and the Eurosport app with 13-time champion Rafael Nadal eyeing a remarkable 14th title at his favourite event and 2020 Roland Garros sensation Iga Swiatek aiming to replicate her stunning triumph.

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