[1/2] May 30, 2023; Paris, France; Daniil Medvedev returns a shot during a match against Thiago Seyboth Wild (BRA) on day three at Stade Roland-Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Swiatek and Rybakina get off to a flying start Russian teen Andreeva breaks new ground Ruud dazzles before Rune passes initial test
PARIS, May 30 (Reuters) – Daniil Medvedev became the highest-ranked player to exit the French Open after losing a marathon head-to-head against Brazilian qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild on a windy Tuesday, while Novak Djokovic find themselves at the center of a political storm.
Iga Swiatek gave herself a birthday present a day before her 22nd birthday by ousting Cristina Bucsa 6-4 6-0 as world number seven Ons Jabeur beat Lucia Bronzetti 6-4 6-1 and 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva won her first Grand Slam main draw victory.
World number two Medvedev emerged as a surprise contender for the Paris title after his triumph in Rome, but the Russian blew his chance in blistering conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier as Wild sealed a 7- 6(5) 6-7(6) 2-6 6 -3 6-4 win.
“I’ve watched Daniil play since he was a junior and to beat him on a court like this is a dream come true,” said world No. 172 Wild after the grueling match that lasted more than four hours.
Medvedev later said he has no regrets that his clay season ended prematurely.
“Today because of the wind and the dry court, I had a mouth full of clay since probably the third game and I don’t like it,” Medvedev said.
“I don’t know if people like eating mud, having clay in their bags, shoes, white socks, you can throw them in the trash after mud season. Maybe some people like it. I don’t.”
Kosovo’s tennis federation said Djokovic risked exacerbating an already tense situation after the world number three wrote on camera that Kosovo was “the heart of Serbia” after his victory in the first round a day earlier.
About 30 NATO soldiers were injured Monday in clashes with Serb protesters in the northern Kosovo town of Zvecan, where Djokovic’s father grew up.
“The comments made by Djokovic at the end of his match against Aleksandar Kovacevic, his statements in the post-match conference and his post on Instagram are regrettable,” said the head of the Kosovo tennis federation, Jeton Hadergjonaj.
“Despite a general message against violence, the statement ‘Kosovo is the heart of Serbia’ and the subsequent statements after the match made by such a public figure … lead directly to the increased level of tension between the two states, Serbia and Kosovo.”
The French Tennis Federation, which organizes the Roland Garros tournament, said in a statement: “The same rules apply to all four Grand Slams. The tournament referee and Grand Slam supervisors ensure that these rules
“Messages are being forwarded to the teams of any players affected by these issues.”
A source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters that organizers did not consider 22-time major champion Djokovic’s action to be “prejudicial to the best interests of the tournament”, according to Grand Slam rules.
Last year’s runner-up Casper Ruud advanced to the next round by beating Sweden’s Elias Ymer 6-4 6-3 6-2 and was joined by sixth seed Holger Rune, who dug deep to overcome Christopher Eubanks 6-4 3-6. 7-6(2) 6-2.
Alexander Zverev exited Roland Garros last year in agony after rolling his ankle during his semi-final against Rafa Nadal, but the German celebrated a winning comeback to beat Lloyd Harris 7-6(6) 7-6 (0) 6-1.
Veteran Gael Monfils lit up Court Philippe Chatrier in the evening session with a scintillating performance as the 36-year-old Frenchman dug deep to see off Argentina’s Sebastian Baez 3-6 6-3 7-5 1-6 7 -5.
TEENAGE FEELING
Andreeva announced herself to the world when she stunned 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez 6-3 6-4 in Madrid last month, and also defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia and Magda Linette before falling to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka.
The Russian qualifier broke new ground in the majors with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over former world No. 18 Alison Riske-Amritraj.
“Last year I was here as a junior and I couldn’t imagine that I could be here playing in the women’s tournament, with a major passing ranking,” said Andreeva, who will next meet Diane Parry after the wild card French beat the runner-up from Rome. Anhelina Kalinina 6-2 6-3.
“I’m very excited,” added Andreeva, who also hopes to practice with Jabeur in Paris.
“I’m just trying to enjoy every moment here.”
Brenda Fruhvirtova, another 16-year-old looking for a declared victory, crashed out after a 6-4 6-2 loss to Elena Rybakina as the Wimbledon champion continued her quest for a second WTA title. Grand Slam.
American sixth seed Coco Gauff also made a slow start to seal a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Spain’s Rebeka Masarova, but it was bad news for the ex-No. and world champion Victoria Azarenka, who was eliminated by Canadian Bianca Andreescu 2-6 6-3 6-4.
Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar, Julien Pretot and Karolos Grohmann in Paris; Editing by Ken Ferris, Christian Radnedge and Toby Davis
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