French Open tennis LIVE – Serena Williams, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev all in action
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ByEurosport
Updated 06/06/2021 at 21:10 GMT
Day eight at Roland Garros sees Serena Williams, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev all in action. 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 and 2020 Roland Garros sensation Iga Swiatek aiming to replicate her stunning triumph.
Serena has 'excellent' chance of French Open glory - Wilander
Day eight at Roland Garros sees Serena Williams, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev all in action.
In what is a stellar line up in Paris, Williams has the opportunity to continue to progress with the women's draw having clearly opened up in her favour this year.
The men's draw looks particularly exciting for Tsitsipas, Medvedev and Zverev with the trio not having to face any of the 'Big Three' until the final at least.
ZVEREV STEAMROLLS NISHIKORI
Alexander Zverev produces one of his best performances on clay as he dismantles Kei Nishikori 6-4 6-1 6-1 to reach the French Open quarter-finals. An outsider for the title? Probably not, with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic still around, but this was mighty impressive stuff. He has a huge chance of reaching the last four, with unknown quantity Alejandro Davidovich Fokina awaiting him next.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! – WILLIAMS 3-6 5-7 RYBAKINA
The three-time champion, Serena Williams is OUT! Rybakina chalks up the win of her life to brush aside the 23-time major winner with a hugely impressive display. She serves out the match on her first match point after one hour and 17 minutes. She will now meet No.31 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarter finals.
BREAK! – WILLIAMS 3-6 5-6 RYBAKINA
Wow. Williams throws in her first double fault of the match to cough up triple break point, but Rybakina only needs one. She breaks to love and will now serve for the match.
WILLIAMS 3-6 5-5 RYBAKINA
She’s not backing down. Rybakina charges to a hold to 15 to push this second set into sudden death territory.
WILLIAMS 3-6 5-4 RYBAKINA
Serena leans down on her racket and lowers her head in dismay. She’s about to win the point when Rybakina fizzes long, but she can’t get out of the way and it hits the frame. She manages a wry smile and it seems to help fire her up. There’s the familiar shout as she charges through to dig out a hold to 30 and apply some scoreboard pressure.
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'Super' - Serena takes the contest to Rybakina in French Open clash
BREAK! – WILLIAMS 3-6 4-4 RYBAKINA
A couple of good serves give Rybakina a shot at consolidating but she’s so tight as she knows what it would mean. She blazes two replica forehands wide of the tramline and we are level once again.
BREAK! – WILLIAMS 3-6 3-4 RYBAKINA
That’s magnificent. The Kazakhstani rifles a wrong-footing forehand winner to Serena’s right flank to break once again on the second of three break points. The 39-year-old former world number one is in trouble once more here.
WILLIAMS 3-6 3-3 RYBAKINA
It’s nervy stuff but Rybakina stands firm. Serena comes within a whisker of forcing a break point but lashes her deep return just long at 30-30. Elena follows Serena’s example from the last game by responding to the close call with an ace down the middle T.
WILLIAMS 3-6 3-2 RYBAKINA
That was a bit of a let off. Rybakina turns the screw at 30-30 but arrows a backhand up the line just long with Serena nowhere to be seen on the far left of the court. The American takes the good fortune in her stride and slaps down a wide ace to get out of dodge.
WILLIAMS 3-6 2-2 RYBAKINA
Elena halts the Serena charge as she hits back from 15-30 with a couple of big serves and a clinical crosscourt forehand winner.
WILLIAMS 3-6 2-1 RYBAKINA
Just like that, quick as a flash, Serena has fired herself into the groove with a real purple patch. She rampages through a love hold and has found her true self it seems.
BREAK! – WILLIAMS 3-6 1-1 RYBAKINA
It was starting to get a bit alarming for Serena but she channels her frustration into her offensive return game and it pays immediate dividends. A couple of scorching forehands, including a return winner to finish, secure an instant break back.
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'How impressive is that?!' - Rybakina wins first set against Serena
BREAK! – WILLIAMS 3-6 0-1 RYBAKINA
Elena continues to be the more consistent and creative of the two players. A devilish drop-shot helps her clock up three more break points before a poorly-executed backhand from Williams flies way off court to hand the Kazakhstani the break at the second time of asking.
SET! - WILLIAMS 3-6 RYBAKINA
Danger for the 23-time Grand Slam champion. Rybakina squanders three set points but Serena helps her out by blazing wide on the fourth. The Russian-born Kazakhstani has been impressive and takes the opener in 35 minutes.
BREAK! – WILLIAMS 3-5 RYBAKINA
Serena takes a moment and looks towards her team in puzzlement after dumping a simple enough crosscourt backhand into the net to cough up break point. It doesn’t seem to clear her head as a tight, short approach is given the forehand treatment by Rybakina. She’ll now serve for the set.
BREAK! – WILLIAMS 3-4 RYBAKINA
Elena throws a spotlight on Serena’s sluggish movement to the net with a tidy drop-shot but comes under fire as a sizzling return from the former number one coupled with another double fault off her own racket helps the USA star to a break back point. The 21-year-old responds with a rasping backhand up the line and then saves a second break point with a timely ace. Serena refuses to be denied though and an awkward, looping forehand lures an error long from the youngster when a third chance presents itself.
WILLIAMS 2-4 RYBAKINA
Serena has been second best so far but stays firmly in touch as she gets a lovely angle on a crosscourt forehand winner before motoring through a simple service game to 15.
WILLIAMS 1-4 RYBAKINA
The first point against Rybakina’s serve is a result of her own double fault. Serena tries to up the ante but thunders a forehand just long and then fires wide following some nice variation from the Kazakhstani starlet.
BREAK! – WILLIAMS 1-3 RYBAKINA
The 21-year-old strikes first blood! A pair of winners settle her in to the zone and she chalks up the break point with a sizzling return Williams can’t get back. The American searches for the sanctuary of deuce but skews a backhand long to hand the early advantage to her opponent.
WILLIAMS 1-2 RYBAKINA
Serena can’t make any inroads on that serve yet. She drags a crosscourt forehand into the tramlines and the Russian-born No.21 seed chalks up another perfect hold.
WILLIAMS 1-1 RYBAKINA
Snap! Williams follows suit with a similarly impeccable hold.
WILLIAMS 0-1 RYBAKINA
Excellent serving from Elena. She fires down some big first serves and clocks up a love hold when Serena makes a mess of a drop-shot attempt.
Stay tuned for Serena
The third match on Chatrier on Day 8 sees 23-Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams continue her bid for a fourth RG crown. The 39-year-old American meets Russian-born Kazakhstani, Elena Rybakina. The 21-year-old is the No.21 seed here. The players are due on court from 16:45 BST.
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Serena has 'excellent' chance of French Open glory - Wilander
GAME, SET AND MATCH! - Medvedev 6-2 6-1 7-5
Medvedev completes an impressive straight sets victory in two hours and four minutes. He serves the game out to 15 with a sensational backhand winner up the line and will now meet No.5 seed, Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter finals. The Russian world No.2 leads the match-up with the Greek 6-1 and won their only previous meeting on clay at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2019.
LATEST: Medvedev 6-2 6-1 6-5
Garin digs deep – but it’s still not enough. Medvedev slaps a low forehand winner up the line to convert on a third break point after a gruelling game. Medvedev will now serve for the match.
LATEST: Medvedev 6-2 6-1 5-5
It's a much closer third set but Medvedev has slowly been threatening to take control after an early wobble.
LATEST: Medvedev bites back
Medvedev was trailing 3-0 in the third set but has hit back to level at 3-3. He currently leads Garin by two sets to love.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! – TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 7-5 CARRENO BUSTA
The No.5 seed from Greece serves the match out to love to claim a straight sets win in two hours and seven minutes. He was completely dominant in the first two sets but was made to fight back in the third as Carreno Busta threatened to force a fourth. It wasn’t to be for the Spaniard and Tsitsipas moves into the last eight where he will meet either Medvedev or Garin.
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Carreno Busta thwarts Tsitsipas with gorgeous drop shot
BREAK! – TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 6-5 CARRENO BUSTA
That could be the killer blow! Tsitsipas raises the stakes and gets his reward. A fist pump towards his team shows exactly what he thinks that means. He will now serve for the match.
TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 5-5 CARRENO BUSTA
No danger for the Greek. He seals a hold to 15 with an ace. Are we heading for a tie break or will someone strike a killer blow at the business end of this much closer third set?
TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 4-5 CARRENO BUSTA
PCB hangs tough from 30-30 and applies the scoreboard pressure. Can he still nick this set? Understandably, Stef looks very keen to get this done in three.
Full report on Federer's departure
TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 4-4 CARRENO BUSTA
All square. PCB blows a HUGE chance with a long forehand from a mi-court position on break point. Tsitsipas screams at himself to take advantage and duly takes note as he plays his get-out-of-jail card from deuce.
LATEST: It's not looking good for Garin
BREAK! – TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 3-4 CARRENO BUSTA
And there’s the twist! Tsitsipas breaks back on the second of his two break points as PCB flashes an angled crosscourt backhand wide.
TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 2-4 CARRENO BUSTA
Once again Stefanos stays in touch with a hold for the loss of one game. The server has had it pretty comfortable in the last few games. Will we have a bit of drama now the set is edging towards its conclusion?
LATEST: Medvedev in a hurry
The No.2 seed lost to Garin in the last 16 of the Madrid Masters recently, but it looks like it’s a different story today. Medvedev takes a two-set lead (6-2 6-1).
TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 1-4 CARRENO BUSTA
PCB replies with a quick-fire love hold of his own. He remains on course to force a fourth set here.
TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 1-3 CARRENO BUSTA
A rapid love hold gets Stef on the board and keeps his interest in the set alive.
BREAKING: Federer WITHDRAWS from RG
TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 0-3 CARRENO BUSTA
Tsitsipas threatens the break back as he pens PCB in his left corner before flashing a forehand into the open court on the opposite flank. The Spaniard makes deuce with a sublime drop shot and manages to consolidate from there.
BREAK! – TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 0-2 CARRENO BUSTA
Hello? That’s new. Tsitsipas is cruising at 30-0 but is pegged back and pressed at deuce. A sumptuous dropshot tees up break point for PCB but the Greek saves it with a clutch serve. A poor error tees up a second opportunity and Stef balloons the miscue into orbit to cough up a break.
TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 0-1 CARRENO BUSTA
New set, but finally a different story for PCB? It looks bleak as Stef charges to triple break point but the Spaniard rallies hard and manages to come out on top in the dance-off from deuce to earn the scoreboard advantage.
Latest: Medvedev a set up
SET! - TSITSIPAS 6-3 6-2 CARRENO BUSTA
There’s a clear lull in Stef’s play given how comfortable it’s been for him – but he rallies hard to serve it out from deuce on his second set point. PCB builds a bit of momentum when the Greek misses a sitter of a volley at the net. The No.12 seed from Spain earns a BP, but it’s clutch play from there as Tsitsipas turns it around with some more superb tennis.
TSITSIPAS 6-3 5-2 CARRENO BUSTA
Stef lets loose on the return game and it actually makes it easier for PCB as he misses the lines off both flanks. It’s a love hold for the Spaniard but that’s no real concern for Tsitsipas, who will dust himself down and prepare to serve for the set.
TSITSIPAS 6-3 5-1 CARRENO BUSTA
Too good. Tsitsipas rolls through a routine hold to 15 and is one game away from a tow-set lead. Things are looking very good for the Greek starlet.
TSITSIPAS 6-3 4-1 CARRENO BUSTA
That will help! PCB glides to his right and produces a very tidy stun volley to get on the board with a much-needed game to 15. He’s had a strange match so far. He was blown away early but then ended set one looking sharp. Since then he’s been lacklustre.
TSITSIPAS 6-3 4-0 CARRENO BUSTA
The one-way traffic continues. Stef backs up the double break and aside from one explosive crosscourt riposte Carreno Busta is looking rather subdued and is in urgent need of a lift.
LATEST: Medvedev takes charge
Medvedev has secured and backed up an early break v Garin. The Russian leads 4-1 in the opening set.
BREAK! – TSITSIPAS 6-3 3-0 CARRENO BUSTA
Tsitsipas seizes upon a net cord and lashes a crosscourt forehand winner to clinch a double break. It’s another howler of a game from PCB, leaking errors and chalking up another double fault. Hard to see him rescuing this set from here, even at this early stage.
TSITSIPAS 6-3 2-0 CARRENO BUSTA
That’s emphatic. The Greek consolidates with a simple and highly effective love hold.
BREAK! – TSITSIPAS 6-3 1-0 CARRENO BUSTA
Just when you thought it was going to be a much-improved overall set for PCB. He comes under the cosh and offers little resistance to cough up a disappointing early break from his point of view.
Medvedev or Garin?
The winner of this match will meet either Cristian Garin or Daniil Medvedev in the last eight. That clash has just got underway on Lenglen. It's currently on serve and 2-1 to the Russian No.2 seed.
SET! - TSITSIPAS 6-3 CARRENO BUSTA
An excellent-wrong-footing crosscourt forehand notches up two set points for Tsitsipas and he follows up with an ace down the middle T to claim the opener in 41 minutes. It’s been closer in the last couple of games but the Greek was well on top early doors.
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'A roaring start' - Tsitsipas breaks immediately against Carreno Busta
TSITSIPAS 5-3 CARRENO BUSTA
That’s a rapid love hold and some really clean hitting from Pablo. Serve-out question posed.
TSITSIPAS 5-2 CARRENO BUSTA
Tsitsipas has moved down from ‘Greek God’-mode and it almost sees PCB carve a way back into the set. However, the No.5 seed is very positive in saving two break points and manages to wriggle clear to edge within a game of taking an opener he has largely dominated.
TSITSIPAS 4-2 CARRENO BUSTA
Tsitsipas applies the heat once more but Carreno Busta paints the line to stave off break point. The Spanish No.12 seed has to continue to play clutch from deuce and manages to wrong-foot the Greek to stay in contention.
TSITSIPAS 4-1 CARRENO BUSTA
The Monte Carlo Masters champion showcases his clay-court class with more mesmerising and rapid movement around the court. It’s too good once again for the Spaniard, who doesn’t look like h has the weapons to hurt Stef if the youngster continues to hit these heights.
TSITSIPAS 3-1 CARRENO BUSTA
It’s hard work but PCB gets on the board. Tsitsipas is forcing him to go for the lines and it’s resulting in some near misses. He’s pushed to deuce but hangs tough to come through with an eye-catching flying smash!
TSITSIPAS 3-0 CARRENO BUSTA
Blink and you probably missed it. The No.5 seed is looking very much the dark horse for the title many were suggesting he could be ahead of the tournament. He roars through a convincing game to consolidate with aplomb.
BREAK! - TSITSIPAS 2-0 CARRENO BUSTA
That’s the perfect start. Stef earns two immediate chances to take control and needs just the one. The Greek is off to a flyer.
TSITSIPAS 1-0 CARRENO BUSTA
Job done. Stefanos opens his account with a routine hold to 30, shrugging off a pair unforced errors to ease on to the board.
H2H
Tsitsipas leads the match-up 2-0. He won their only previous meeting on clay by a 7-5 6-3 in the semi finals in Barcelona in 2018.
Coming up: Tsitsipas v Carreno Busta
It’s almost time for Number five seed Stefanos Tsitsipas to continue his bid for Roland Garros glory against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta. The players are due on Chatrier shortly.
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'My guilty pleasure' - Tsitsipas talks fans through his Playlist
GAME, SET AND MATCH! - AZARENKA 7-5 3-6 2-6 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
The No.31 seed dumps the two-time major winner and former world number one out with a superb late flourish. She serves it out to love to claim victory in two hours and nine minutes. The win sees Anastasia match her best run at Roland Garros when she made the last eight back in 2011. She will now meet Serena Williams or Elena Rybakina for a spot in the semis.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 7-5 3-6 2-5 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Wow! A huge crosscourt forehand seals another break for the Russian after a fifth double fault of the game from Azarenka had gifted her the opportunity. Anastasia will now serve for the match.
AZARENKA 7-5 3-6 2-4 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Azarenka squeals in irritation. She blows two break points with a succession of errors and Pav survives to consolidate and take control of the decider.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 7-5 3-6 2-3 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Vika is rattled. She directs her frustration towards her coach after a double fault threatens to unhinge her. An ace doesn’t help her settle and a pair of very make-able forehands into the net cough up a very poor service game.
AZARENKA 7-5 3-6 2-2 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
That’s a plucky hold and very Azarenka-esque from Pav. She hooks a crosscourt backhand out but then relies on that shot to get her out of dodge and make deuce from break point down. The Russian stands firm and wriggles out of a dangerous situation to level matters. This is still anyone’s match.
AZARENKA 7-5 3-6 2-1 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
That’s a dogged and perhaps fortunate hold. Vika’s drop shot twice comes to the rescue from deuce after Anastasia came within a whisker of another break with a rasping backhand that somehow failed to clip the baseline.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 7-5 3-6 1-1 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
“You break, I break, you break….” There’s that pattern again! Pav hits back from 0-40 but can’t make deuce as the drop shot comes good again for Vika on her final chance.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 7-5 3-6 0-1 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
The 29-year-old Russian is slightly off balance but that doesn’t seem to matter as she sweeps a sublime backhand winner up the line to secure an instant break.
SET! - AZARENKA 7-5 3-6 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
We are heading into a decider! Pavlyuchenkova serves it out on her third set point after Azarenka blew the chance to fend off another with a backhand long.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 7-5 3-5 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
That’s a bad time to throw in a really poor service game. Azarenka starts and finishes with double faults, saving two of three break points but coming undone by her own hands in the end. The Russian No.31 seed will now serve for the set.
AZARENKA 7-5 3-4 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Azarenka tries to apply some serious pressure at 30-30 but doesn’t really come close. Anastasia hammers a backhand winner and follows up with a drive volley that’s too hot to handle to nudge the board.
AZARENKA 7-5 3-3 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
The pattern is weirdly familiar. There’s certainly a sense of déjà vu about Set 1 and 2. There have been plenty of early breaks with Pavlyuchenkova taking charge. But back comes Azarenka as we get to the business end and we finally have another hold as the Belarusian slams an ace down the middle T to take the game to 30. All square.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 7-5 2-3 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Azarenka has two bites at the break back – and grabs it on the second. She rushes a backhand when charging onto a short ball and hooks into the net. She screams in annoyance but then sees her opponent slap a poor unforced error off the forehand into the net. It’s a real ‘break’-fest out there at the moment.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 7-5 1-3 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
A majestic backhand volley on the stretch notches up double break point for the Russian. She unloads a backhand down the line in search of the clincher but misses by millimetres and screams in frustration. She doesn’t have long to wait though as Azarenka fires long in the next point to drop serve once again.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 7-5 1-2 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
What a response from the two-time Grand Slam champion! She battles back from 30-0 down to make deuce and then rattles a sensational forehand winner on the run. Pavlyuchenkova can’t move quick enough to handle a deep return to her feet and she steers an awkward shot long to allow the No.15 seed to break right back.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 7-5 0-2 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Once more Anastasia makes the early running. She clocks up two break points with a delicious drop shot to conclude one of the rallies of the match. Azarenka then flashes a tired forehand into the net and the Russian takes charge. Now, can she kick on and really take control of the proceedings?
AZARENKA 7-5 0-1 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
That’s just what the doctor ordered. After the disappointment of losing an opener she probably edged, Pavlyuchenkova wipes the slate clean and kicks off Set 2 with a confident hold to 15.
AZARENKA 7-5 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
It’s a brilliant response from Anastasia but it isn’t enough. She earns two separate break back opportunities with a brave dash to the net and a vicious backhand winner but a pair of lame returns see her ruin her own hopes. Azarenka is tight and tentative but manages to drag herself over the line to claim the opener on her second set point.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 6-5 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Anastasia’s nerve is tested when she’s pressed to deuce. A wonderful one-two punch with a wide serve and forehand up the line put her in control before a big miss off the same flank changes the complexion of things. Azarenka keeps the pressure on to earn a break point before unloading a fierce return that her opponent can’t get back. That forehand miss will no doubt linger a little while in Pavlyuchenkova’s mind, but she has to reset double-quick if she’s to stand any chance of saving the set.
AZARENKA 5-5 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
When you start to find your first serve it usually spells a positive shift. Azarenka is landing more of hers and it’s making a big difference. The pressure is on at 4-5 but she doesn’t show it as she romps to a love hold.
AZARENKA 4-5 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
The No.15 seed from Belarus looks to turn the screw at 15-30 but Pavlyuchenkova is having none of it. She nails a timely second ace of the match to take charge before her opponent wails in dismay when she drags a forehand well wide.
AZARENKA 4-4 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Azarenka seems to have got her service rhythm more on track following the early flurry of breaks. She motors to a hold to 15. Anastasia was on top in the first part of this set but it’s finely poised now.
AZARENKA 3-4 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Vika completely catches her opponent out as she turns stout defence into attack with a surprise drop shot from deep but it’s not enough to crank up the heat as out-and-out attack from the Russian helps her nudge the board once more.
AZARENKA 3-3 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Vika may well have had a tin hat on under that cap for the first 20 minutes of this contest, but she finds her A-game right there to surge through a love hold. A first ace, a crisp forehand winner and some solid play at the net see her consolidate and achieve parity.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 2-3 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Oh dear. Another double fault coughs up the break back. Just when Pavlyuchenkova seemed to have a real edge too. Azarenka hanging in there despite being second best so far. Typical resilience from the Belarusian former world number one.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 1-3 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
That’s a corker! Anastasia drills a magnificent crosscourt backhand winner to deservedly claim another break. She takes the game from deuce on a second BP after teeing up the opportunity with a delightful drop shot from the baseline. No doubt who is in the ascendancy in these early exchanges.
AZARENKA 1-2 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
We have a hold! Pavlyuchenkova appears to be the player looking to take the risks with her shot selection. She keeps Azarenka at bay and gets her reward for aggressive tennis from the baseline.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 1-1 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
That’s a splendid response but pretty wonderful from Vika’s perspective. She’s her fair share of service troubles so this tournament and they strike again here. She’s broken to love as a double fault sees her gift-wrap and hand the leveller to her opponent.
BREAK! - AZARENKA 1-0 PAVLYUCHENKOVA
That’s a torrid opener for Pavlyuchenkova. She chucks in a couple of timid double faults and is broken immediately. Not the start you want against an opponent you don’t have a great record against.
H2H
Azarenka leads the match-up 5-1 and has won both of their previous meetings on clay.
DID YOU KNOW?
Pavlyuchenkova is aiming to reach the quarter-final stage of Roland Garros for the second time. She also went this deep in the draw back in 2011. The 29-year-old Russian took down No.3 sees, Aryna Sabalenka in a rollercoaster three-set triumph.
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'I'm a huge fan!' - Azarenka talks fans through her Playlist
Good morning!
Welcome to our middle Sunday updates from the 2021 French Open. We are kicking off with the round four showdown between two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka and No.31 seed, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The players are due on court Philippe-Chatrier from 11am BST.
Ready for day eight?
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Very sporting - Gauff gives Brady hug and claps her off court after injury ends match
Top matches
As Eurosport expert Mats Wilander noted after her win over Danielle Collins, the draw has opened up very nicely indeed for Serena Williams. She has a great opportunity to keep moving into the quarter-finals if she can overcome Elena Rybakina. The 21st seed Rybakina will throw everything she can at Williams and it could be a great match.
On the men's side, who has not enjoyed seeing Kei Nishikori back fit and firing in this tournament? The popular Japanese star will be hoping to give sixth seed Alexander Zverev a serious challenge in their fourth-round clash.
Potential upset
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was hugely impressive in downing third seed Aryna Sabalenka in the third round and she could well spring another upset against Victoria Azarenka in the first match up on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Pavlyuchenkova could hardly have made a bigger statement in bagelling the much-fancied Sabalenka to close out that match in the deciding set and the 15th seed Azarenka will have to be at her best to progress.
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'Not many people know this' - Nadal stat 'vital' behind success, says Evert
Brit watch
Cameron Norrie may have lost out to Rafael Nadal on Saturday to end British interest in the singles draws, but there are still plenty of other representatives at Roland Garros.
Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury are both in mixed doubles quarter-final action; Jordanne Whiley features in the women's wheelchair doubles semi-finals; Andy Lapthorne is in the men's wheelchair quad singles third-place match and men's wheelchair quad doubles final; and Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid are in the men's wheelchair doubles final.
Next-Gen watch
Elena Rybakina will have to produce the performance of her life to overcome Serena Williams but it is a wonderful opportunity for the 21 year old to make a huge statement on the big stage.
Another name that casual fans may not be too aware of is Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and the 22 year old Spaniard has every chance of reaching the quarter-finals. He takes on Federico Delbonis.
Order of play, singles
COURT PHILIPPE-CHATRIER (from 11am)
- Victoria Azarenka [15] v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova [31]
- Stefanos Tsitsipas [5] v Pablo Carreno Busta [12]
- Serena Williams [7] v Elena Rybakina [21]
- Alexander Zverev [6] v Kei Nishikori
COURT SUZANNE-LENGLEN (from 10am)
- Tamara Zidansek v Sorana Cirstea
- Marketa Vondrousova [20] v Paula Badosa [33]
- Cristian Garin [22] v Daniil Medvedev [2]
- Alejandro Davidovich Fokina v Federico Delbonis
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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 in Paris.
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