With Sinner and Djokovic out, the path to a first-time Grand Slam champion is wide open
Image: The Guardian
PARIS — The French Open’s second week begins with no former Grand Slam champion left standing in the men’s draw. A week-long heatwave took its toll, with both Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic falling in five-set matches on consecutive evenings. For the first time in recent memory, a new king of clay will be crowned next Sunday.
The two men best placed to seize the moment are Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud, both three-time Grand Slam finalists still seeking their first title. Ruud, who came from two sets down to beat Tommy Paul, faces teenage Brazilian Joao Fonseca next — a 19-year-old playing his first ever fourth round at a major. Zverev takes on Dutchman Jesper de Jong, a lucky loser who has played more sets than anyone else in the draw and is the only remaining player to have lost a match.
In the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek plays on her 25th birthday, looking to reclaim the title she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s semi-finals. Reigning champion Coco Gauff has already exited. Seventh seed Elina Svitolina faces Belinda Bencic, while teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva continues her campaign against Jil Teichmann.
