Today I’ve got tickets for court Lenglen. In the first match of the day, 2014 Roland Garros finalist Simona Halep rallied from one set down to beat Naomi Osaka 4-6 6-2 6-3.
The view from my seat, row 25:
In Roland Garros’ newspaper today, the extraordinary story of Marcel Bernard, who took the singles title here in 1946. He was at first only committed in the mixed doubles and mens doubles competitions, but took part to the singles tournament due to the withdrawal of his his mixed doubles partner. He defeated Jaroslav Drobny in the final in five sets. It was the first Roland Garros tournament after a 6-year hiatus due to World War II.
The Roland Garros mixed doubles trophy is now known as the “Coupe Marcel Bernard”. The stadium in which the Open du Nord is played is named after him.
Marcel Bernard (left) and Jaroslav Drobny:
Andy Murray defeats Ivo Karlovic 6-1 6-4 7-6
Will we see the grumpy player who struggled to beat Stepanek and Bourgue in the previous rounds or the champion who defeated Nadal in Madrid and Djokovic in Rome? From the first points on, it was obvious it would be the latter. Murray looked sharp and focused, and Karlovic was in danger on each of his service games. Murray dispatched Karlovic in three sets, his 7th win in seven meetings with the Croat. You can find the complete recap of the match here.
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No trouble for Andy Murray after two nerve-wracking five-set marathon matches in the previous rounds, as he dispatched Ivo Karlovic 6-1 6-4 7-6 on court Lenglen. A quick start, a dominating second set and a solid third set, and Murray reaches the fourth round where he’ll meet another big-server, John Isner.
Karlovic was in danger on each of his service games in the first two sets, and even if he tried to change tactics and come to the net, he clearly has not the weapons to bother Andy on clay.
At the end of the traditional post-match interview on court, Fabrice Santoro asked him to tell in Fench what he’d order for dinner this evening. His reply: “filet de boeuf, frites maison, salade verte and that’s it”.
"Feelay de boof".
That's French (with a Scottish accent) for steak.
According to my younger son. #RolandGarros— judy murray (@judmoo) May 27, 2016
Dominika Cibulkova defeats Ana Konjuh 6-4 3-6 6-0
Back to Roland Garros today and I’m back on court 17 to watch a match that looks exciting … on paper.
A former junior number one, Ana Konjuh was touted as a future top ten player. Aged 18, she won her first WTA tournament in Nottingham last year. As for Dominika Cibulkova, semifinalist here in 2009, she had a good clay-court season, with a final in Madrid.
Lots of unforced errors from both players. Not a really enjoyable match.
Cibulkova can’t stay still for a second. For her gruntings for first point on are really annoying.
A solid 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-2 win for Feliciano Lopez over Italian player Thomas Fabbiano, ranked 117. He will next face Victor Estrella Burgos in the second round.
With Federer’s Grand Slam appearance streak now over at 65, the longest active run belongs to Feliciano Lopez (57).
A difficult first-round match for the Roland Garros 2010 finalist. She won the first set quite easily 6-2. But lost her serve early in the second set, and the game was stopped by darkness on Monday at 6-2 1-3. Play resumed on Tuesday morning and the Japanese leveled at one set all. Down a break in the third set, Sam Stosur won 6 of the last 7 games to reach the second round of the French Open.
