Key events
Alexander Bublik beats Alex de Minaur (9) 2-6 2-6 6-4 6-3 6-2
An amazing win from Sasha Bublik, who doesn’t really like clay, definitely doesn’t like playing Demon, and is unrenowned for his fighting spirit. But he has ridiculous talent and what a day out he had; next for him, it’s Rocha or Mensik and, ironically, Rocha leads 2-1 with a break in the fifth, having been two sets down. Shame about the neck-beard, but we’ll forgive it.
…and he swipes a backhand long! This is not yet over as we mooch to deuce.
A fine forehand from De Minaur saves match point, but Bublik has another…
De Minaur makes Bublik serve for it, but at 30-0 he’s in decent shape meantime, Zverev builds on that difficult hold to break De Jong and suddenly looks to be in charge, while Munar breaks Fils only to be broken back immediately afterwards, to trail 6-7 6-7 2-2.
“Please leave the typo at 12:33,” writes Mathias Kowoll. “In Paris it might indeed be Dinner or Gasquet.”
Oh that’s good. Usually, my favourite such errors comprise accidental profanity – the “cut-shot” is a prime candidate – but this is good. Gasquet or Dinner, a difficult choice indeed.
Next on Chatrier: Jannik Sinner (1) v Richard Gasquet. Oh go on then, don’t mind if we do.
Jessica Pegula (3) beats Ann Li 6-3 7-6(3)
We knew she’d get there. Next for Pegula: Marketa Vondrousova, and already I can’t wait for that one.
Goodness gracious me, Bublik has broken Demon! He breaks again for 4-1 in the decider and this is the performance we’ve always known was in there. Bublik has loads of talent but considerably less desire, so from 2-0 dpwn he’s not one you’d back to come back, especially against De Minaur, his precise opposite. But here we are! He’s two games away!
A sumptuous cross-court pass and again, De Jong has break point in the first game of a set. Zverev saves it, though, then hammers a forehand to the corner on advantage only for De Jong to make him play one more shot, on overhead … which he totally botches! And have a look! A tremendous lob, with Zverev at the next expecting to be passed, earns a second opportunity … saved with an ace. This is on a rolling boil now, another ace making advantage … and another sealing a massive hold. De Jong leads 6-3 1-0.
De Jong is playing with so much confidence. Up 40-30, he hauls Zverev to the net, passes him, and I’m far from certain the no 3 seed can just play better. Losing that Australian Open final in such conclusive style hurt him badly, advising him there’s a strong chance he may never win that Slam, and he’s not been quite the same since.
Meantime, Bublik consolidates for 2-0 in the fifth, while Pegula leads Li 6-3 5-5 and Rocha, also once two sets down, is serving to force a decider against Mensik.
Fils just has a bit too much for Munar. He’s playing the big points better because he is better, taking the second-set breaker to four while, on 14, Bublik is on one, breaking De Minaur for 1-0 in the fifth! what a comeback this is, because he didn’t just lose the first two sets, he was trounced in them 6-2. Meantime, on Mathieu, De Jong is serving for set one at 5-3 and is up 30-15.
Jiri Lehecka beats Alexander Davidovich Fokina (26) 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-2
A terrific win for Lehecka, who surely won’t be unseeded at majors for long. Next for him: Dinner or Gasquet.
The first mini-break goes to Fils, who leads 4-2 … ah, but another overhead makes 5-2, and he poses- Cantona-style, as Lenglen cheers. Back on 14, Bublik, the crowd singing his name, responds to decent return with a tweener-drop then, when De Minaur retrieves, he nails a backhand winner down the line that means he’s come back from two sets down to force a decider! Amazing behaviour!
Elsewhere, Pegula leads Li 6-3 4-3 on serve; Rocha has taken the third set to trail Mensik 2-1 and they’re 2-2 in the fourth; and Lehecka leads Davidovich Fokina 5-1 in the fourth, so is a game away.
Brutal hitting that Munar defends admirably but he can’t resist forever, Fils slamming down an overhead with the whole court to aim at, the equivalent of smashing into the next from three yards. He secures the hold at we’re about to undertake our second tiebreak in two sets. I’d always back the bigger server, and Fils looks the better player because he is, but Munar is as gritty as he is canny, so.
Interesting! Out on 14, having been spanked in sets one and two, Bublik took the third off De Minaur and now leads 4-2 in the fourth. I’d stuck Pegula on my third screen, but with a decider in the offing, I’m going to switch.
Mine eyes were elsewhere, but the commentary advises me that, after being broken, Munar looked broken, and yet he found something within himself, seizing Fils’ serve to prevent him from sealing set two. The French no 1 now leads 7-6 5-5.
De Jong’s enjoying himself, holding for 3-0 after saving, I think, four break points, while Fils has broken Munar for 7-6 5-4. But serving for the second set, he’s down 0-30…
Marketa Vondrousova beats Magdalena Frech (25) 6-0 4-6 6-3
A terrific win for Vondrousova – Frech played well in beating Jabeur in round one – and she now faces Pegula or Li, both of whom she’ll feel are eminently beatable.
Vondrousova now leads Frech 5-3 and, at 15-40, has two match points; Frech saves the first, but she’s second-best now, the 2019 finalist’s craft too much for her.
De Jong holds in game one against Zverev, and his is a name you might remember from last year – he beat Jack Draper over five sets, then lost to Alcaraz in four. He’s also in reasonable form, having beaten Davidovich Fokina in Rome to make the third round of a Masters for the first time, And, as I type, he breaks for 2-0; Zverev won’t panic, of course, but he’ll not have expected that.
I’ve gone for Vondrousova v Frech, as it’s nearly over and with Sinner v Gasquet imminent, it makes sense not to get involved in something we’ll have to turn off.
Pegula leads Li 6-3 1-0 on serve; Fils leads Munar 7-6 3-3; De Minaur leads Bublik 6-2 6-2 4-6 0-1 on serve; Mensik leads Rocha 6-2 6-1 4-4; Vondrousova leads Frech 6-0 4-6 3-2 with a break; Baptiste, who binned Haddad Maia in round one, leads Hibino 4-1; and Lehecka leads Davidovich Fokina 6-3 3-6 6-1.
Right, let’s go around the grounds, and while we do I’ll decide which of the various matches replaces the one that’s just finished on my screen.
Marie Bouzkova beats Sonay Kartal 6-1 6-4
Kartal had plenty of decent moments but couldn’t string good points together and is well beaten. Next for Bouzkova it’s Valentova or Gauff.
And there is better! Facing a fourth match point, a pair of forehands close to the sideline save the day, but then another zips wide and again, Kartal has to find something…
Kartal’s service-action is similar to Jo Durie’s – as it happens, Durie is commentating on her match – in the way she puts the racket head behind her own head pre-toss. But back to the actual tennis, she saves three match points, raises advantage, and swipes wide. She’s capable of much better than this.
“Have you noticed that the players are not asking the ball-boys and ball-girls to fetch their towels for them?” returns Michael Bulley. “I think the players must have been told not to, as this bad habit had been creeping back in some recent tournaments (Djokovic was a notable offender). Apart from reasons of hygiene, the ball-gatherers have quite enough to do already.”
I had not noticed this, no, though I guess I’m watching three matches, the CMS and my little fingers. I’d get my own towel just to avoid the constant need to say thank you, already on top with the balls.
Back to Kartal, she did indeed break but was, for the third time, broken back before a hold for Bouzkova – the first in seven games – means that at 6-1 5-4 she’ll now serve to stay in the match.
Next on Mathieu: Alexander Zverev (3) v Jesper de Jong.
Looking at the draw, Andreeva will probably have to beat Badosa to win her section. But if she can, her last-eight opponent – if the seeding works out – will be Pegula, who I’d back her to sort. And once we’re into the last four, anything goes; most likely, she’d meet Gauff, a match I’d absolutely love to see.
Andreeva was expecting a difficult match against a powerful and aggressive player who beat her in New York. She knew she had to play well and though she struggled a bit with her serve, she stayed calm and fought hard.
She likes Mathieu, having won her first ever third-round match on the court. She appreciates the energy but sometimes the “Pa pa pa aller” before the serve distracts her.
As for her time off, she really wants to go and try an entrecote, but hasn’t managed yet so might have to Uber one.
Mirra Andreeva (6) beats Ashlyn Krueger 6-3 6-4
The kind of win, against a solid opponent, that’s becoming routine for Andreeva; she’s improved a lot the last six months, and I’d expect her to go deep here and threaten the usual suspects. Next for her: Garland or Putintseva.
Andreeva and Krueger are pretty similar players, except Andreeva is a fair bit better, and she breaks to love for 6-3 5-4; she’ll shortly serve for the match. Fils does indeed take the first set against Munar, 7-6(3); Pegula has broken Li back for 2-2; Kartal was broken back again but has 0-40; mensik leads Rocha 6-2 5-1; Frech, after being bagelled in set one, has taken set two against Vondrousova; and Davidovich Fokina has levelled at a set apiece against Lehecka.
Three breaks on the spin on 14, where a gentle drop puts Kartal back in front in set two. On Lenglen, Fils’ power has given him a 4-1 lead in the first-set breaker, and a double from Munar for 5-1 means he’s nearly there.
The D-Mon is in a hurry and now leads Bublik 6-2 6-2; Munar and Fils has the feeling of an epic, and they’re playing a first-set breaker; Kartal ahs returned her break so trails Bouzkova 1-6 2-2; we’re under way on Chatrier, where Li has broken Pegula for 2-0; and Andreeva leads Krueger 6-3 3-3.
Yup, that length! Kartal makes 30-40 and when she hits close to the line, Bouzkova swipes a backhand wide so leads 6-1 1-2, a break down, and do we got ourselves a ball-game?
After saving set point, Munar held on for 5-5, while Davidovich Fokina, down a set to Lehecka, has broken in the second to lead 4-1.
Kartal has some serious forearms, and she’s controlling her power a little better now, her length closer to the baseline; she holds for 1-6 1-1. On clay, though, you need to be looking for angles and Bouzkova’s greater variety in that aspect is one reason she took the first set so easily. If it remains the case, she’ll win.
De Minaur has broken Bublik in set two to lead 6-3 3-2; Mensik leads Rocha 6-2; Vondrousova leads Frech 6-0 2-3; and Fils has a set point at 5-4 in the first … which is saved by Munar, who sticks in the rally until his opponent forces it and the error comes.
Andreeva break immediately in set two but three doubles and she’s down three break-back points. She saves the first when Krueger nets, then lasers a backhand winner down the line, after which Krueger forces it, larruping a backhand long for deuce. What a wasted opportunity that is … but two further errors from Andreeva restore parity in set two.
Kartal just can’t get herself going, broken a third time to cede the first set 6-1. I bet Bouzkova expected a tougher assignment than this has been so far – but there’s still time.
At change of ends, Andreeva removes a notebook from her bag; perhaps she’s working on a novel. It actually reminds me that lying in bed last night I had a thought I decided wasn’t worth the hassle of getting up to record and now I’m annoyed I can’t remember it.
Krueger forces a break-back point then initiates an exchange of moon-balls, then Andreeva steps in, runs around her forehand, and punishes a winner for deuce. From there, she closes out the first set 6-3, her class now telling.
On 14, the Demon is also a set up, leading Bublik 6-2 0-1, while Mensik leads Rocha 4-1.
Andreeva has got Krueger’s measure now, her extra subtlety helping her craft a break for 5-3. She’s now serving for the first set, something Lehecka has already sone against Davidovich Fokina, who he leads 6-3. On Lenglen, Fils has broken Munar back and now leads 4-3, while Kartal is on the board at 1-4.
Andreeva, though, is on the move, breaking Krueger back before holding for 4-3. She’s another I wonder about: will she win a slam? At 18, she should get much better, though she’s already so good she might be much closer to the best version of herself than your average outrageously talented 18-year-old. With her, I’m going yes, because women’s tennis tends to allow a greater variety of champions.
Another long game on 14; another long game on 14 won by Bouzkova, who now leads Kartal 3-0 with a double break. There’s not loads in it, but Bouzkova is moving better and winning the big points.
An email fro the other day, courtesy of Richard Caulfield: “One point maybe worth mentioning as a result of Fritz’s defeat to Altmaier: it moves Jack Draper provisionally up to no 4 in the rankings. Very handy for him if he can stay there until the Wimbledon seedings are confirmed – no chance of meeting Alcaraz or Sinner (or Zverev, although that’s not such a scary prospect recently) until at least the semis.”
Spotter’s badge. The question with Draper, who definitely is one of the best four players in the world now, is whether he’ll get good enough to win a major. I’d say it’s not far-fetched or impossible, but if you’re asking me to pick a side, I’m tentatively and regretfully going no. I really hope he proves me wrong: he is, I’m assured, a great lad.
Kartal misses a chance to break back and trails 0-2; Munar misses a point for a double break but leads Fils 2-1; and Andreeva is on the board at 1-2, but so far, Krueger is not for breaking.
Elsewhere, De Minaur leads Bublik 3-2 with a break, Mensik leads Rocha 2-0, Vondrousova leads Frech – who, remember belted Oor Ons in round one – 5-0, and Lehecka leads Davidovich Fokina 4-3 on serve.
I can’t lie, I’d like further detail on the Roland-Garros tattoo parlour. How busy is it? Who’s been? What kind of thing are people getting? Any spider webs on faces or tears beneath eyes?
Krueger is playing nicely. Andreeva forces her through deuce in order to endorse, but she get there in the end; they’re both smacking it, but it’s the American whose radar is working better so far and she leads 2-0.
Email! “Isn’t it nice, at Roland-Garros, to have the umpire giving the score only in French,” writes Michael Bulley. “Sadly, in all other tournaments where the local language is not English, the umpire gives the score bilingually, with an English translation. It’s really irritating. Nobody needs it. If the tournament’s in Germany, German will do fine.”
I agree. We want the local flavour, and the translation of “égalité” is not “deuce”.
Similarly, Krueger breaks Andreeva and Bouzkova breaks Kartal, but neither has yet consolidated.
Fils is unusual for a French player, in that he’s not got much in the way of feel. Rather, he knocks the cover off it, so is betters suited top hard courts than to clay and, as I type, Munar – a specialist on the red stuff – breaks then consolidates for 2-0.
Oh! Another oversight! Ethan Quinn, the 21-year-old American who benefitted from Griggzy Dimitrov getting injured, also features; he meets Alexander Shevchenko.
Decision time: which matches to watch? I’m going to start with Kartal v Bouzkova, Andreeva M v Krueger, and … one of De Minaur v Bublik, Rocha v Mensik , Fils v Munar and Lehecka v Davidovich Fokina. Let’s go Fils v Munar to begin with…
Kartal had, we’ve just learnt via TNT, planned to get a tatt yesterday – there’s a parlour in the players’ lounge, because why wouldn’t there be? In the event, doubles got in the road, but I’m sure she’ll find a slot in the fullness of time.
Oh! An oversight! Sonay Kartal, so impressive in round one, is first on Court 11, playing Marie Bouzkova. Anyone got any spare sets of eyes?
Preamble
Salut et bienvenue à Roland-Garros 2025 – cinquième jour!
And – of course – it’s another ridiculous bangeur. Premières portes, we’ve got Mirra Andreeva – Ashlyn Kruger might give her a decent game – Arthur Fils, Jakub Mensik, Alex de Minaur and Jessica Pegula.
Then, as the day unfolds, local legend Richard Gasquet takes on Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev meets Jesper de Jong, with Coco Gauff, Andrey Rublev and Barbora Krejcikova also in action.
Mais ce n’est pas ça! Later in the day comes potentially the match of the day, MC Corentin Moutet against Novak Djokovic, impressive in round one but now facing a much sterner, more mercurial test.
Meantime, Paulo Badosa, so impressive in beating Naomi Osaka, also returns; the US Open Madison Keys – and what a thrill it remains to type those words – plays Katie Boulter; it’s Jacob Fearnley v Ugo Humbert; an Italian derby as Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi convene; Cameron Norrie, now with the no 11 seed’s path through the draw, has a winnable contest against Federico Gomez; and we’ve another chance to enjoy the future legend, Joao Fonseca; before, in the evening session, Jack Draper encounters Gaël Monfils.
Franchement, c’est absolument ridicule! Chauette et on y va!
Play: 11am local, 10am BST.
