Djokovic advances, Venus bows out Zverev, Serena move to third round

PARIS: Sixth seed Alexander Zverev of Germany used all his energy to overcome Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin 7-6(4), 6-3, 7-6(1) to secure a spot in the French Open third round on Wednesday.

World No.6 Zverev, who recovered from two sets down against qualifier Oscar Otte of Germany on Sunday, took 60 minutes to win the nerve-wracking opening set against Safiullin.

Zverev will next play Serbian Laslo Djere, who defeated compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

Zverev was broken when serving for the set at 6-5, but got off to a strong start in the tie-break to win 7-6(4). This is the fifth time Zverev has progressed to the French Open third round, with his best showing coming in 2018 and 2019 when he reached the quarter-finals. Fabio Fognini also won against Marton Fucsovics in regulation straight-sets 7-6, 6-1, 6-2. 5th seeded Tsitsipas too had easy outing as he defeated Martinez in straight sets 6-3 6-4 6-3. Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori fought back in a marathon four-hour match to beat Russian 23rd seed Karen Khachanov 4-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 and secure a place in the French Open third round.Three days after another five-set comeback over Italian Alessandro Giannessi, world No.49 Nishikori — ranked fourth in the world during his peak — refused to give up and set up a clash with Switzerland's Henri Laaksonen. Laaksonen, the world No. 150, held his nerve to defeat 11th seed, Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in two hours, 21 minutes.

In the womens singles Seventh seeded Serena Willams moved into the 3rd round defeating Mihaela Buzarnescu in three-set clash 6-3, 5-7, 6-1. 15th seeded Azarenka defeated Tauson in straight sets 7-5 6-4. She will now meet Keys in the next round. Keys, the 23rd seeded, today won against Fernandez by 6-1 7-5.

Earlier World No. 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia eased into the second round after a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win over American 66th ranked player Tennys Sandgren in the first ever men's night session on Court Philippe-Chatrier late on Tuesday evening.

Djokovic will next face a Top-100 player from Uruguay, Pablo Cuevas, who advanced after a 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 victory against Frenchman Lucas Pouille. Djokovic, beaten by world No. 3 Rafael Nadal of Spain at the Roland Garros final last year, has now won his previous 16 first-round matches in Paris.

Meanwhile Australian world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty survived a scare before overcoming 70th ranked Bernarda Pera of the USA 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the first round and extending her personal winning streak at French Open to eight.

Ekaterina Alexandrova, the world No. 32 from Russia, got the better of seven-time Grand Slam champion and former finalist Venus Williams 6-3, 6-1 in the opening round.

Venus, the 2002 finalist, was competing in her 24th French Open. Ekaterina convrted six of her seven break points to set up a second-round clash with world No. 33 from the Czech Republic, Barbora Krejcikova. (IANS and agencies).

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