For Medvedev’s first real test
Operated on for a hernia in early April, the Russian lost in Geneva to Richard Gasquet for his return to the courts. But Porte d’Auteuil where he remains on a quarter-final in 2021, the pupil of Gilles Cervara is unfolding for the moment. After Facundo Bagnis dispatched (6-2, 6-2, 6-2) on the Suzanne-Lenglen, the Russian quietly overpowered the Serb Laslo Djere (6-3, 6-4, 6-3). It is another Serb who stands up to him, Saturday at the opening on the Philippe Chatrier. A tougher test, a priori. Miomir Kecmanovic, 8th finalist at the Australian Open and quarter-finalists in Indian Wells and Miami, is more comfortable on hard court. But Medvedev, too. “Medvedev, obviously, it will not be easy, assures the Serb. He plays well. But of course, it’s not his favorite surface, it’s not where he feels most comfortable. So, to play against him, it is better to play on clay than elsewhere.
For the future retiree Simon
What if for his 17th and last Roland-Garros, Gilles Simon equaled his best performance at Porte d’Auteuil (8th in 2011, 2013, 2015)? For that, it will be necessary to beat this Saturday Marin Cilic. Not in the realm of the impossible. Especially since the former 6th in the world leads 6-1 in his confrontations with the Croatian. “Statistically, he’s a player who suits me well,” admits the Niçois who qualifies, however. “I never actually dominated him. It’s always been 3 sets or 5, each time I was trailing one set, one break or two sets to one… So it’s not as if I was saying to myself, Marin, it’s rolling! “. Still, one of the keys to the match will also be the recovery of the 37-year-old Frenchman, who seemed physically very fair at the end of the match against Steve Johnson in the previous round…
For the Jeanjean sensation
“Girls have no idea who I am,” laughs Léolia Jeanjean. His opponents discover the tricolor revelation. And they can only see the damage. The 26-year-old is living a daydream at Porte d’Auteuil for her first Grand Slam. After her exploit against the Czech Karolina Pliskova, 8th in the world (6-2, 6-2), she has the opportunity to continue the beautiful story against Irina-Camelia Begu (63rd). Considered a future star at 12, Jeanjean suffered repeated injuries and chose to study in the United States, only returning to high-level tennis at the end of 2020. She obviously did well. She will discover the Suzanne Lenglen this Saturday. Waiting for Philippe Chatrier on Sunday?
For the shock of the night session
Hugo Gaston loves Paris. After his 8th in 2020, Porte d’Auteuil, the Toulousain finds the 3rd round this year. In the previous round, the pupil of Marc Barbier did the job against the modest Pedro Cachin, 147th in the world. The step should be higher this Saturday evening against the phenomenon Holger Rune, 19 years old. The former 2019 junior world number one is a young man in a hurry. Faller in the first round of Denis Shapovalov, seeded 15 (6-3, 6-1, 6-2), Rune became the youngest player to reach the 3rd round since a certain Rafael Nadal in 2005. It remains to be seen how the nugget, big hitter and friend of Gaston, will manage the pressure of playing for the first time on a big court against a French player. During the last Rolex Paris Masters, the phenomenon Alcaraz had cracked against Gaston and a hostile public. What to give ideas to the left-hander…
For a new blow of Cornet
The 19-year-old Zheng, who is taking part in her very first Roland-Garros, hit hard in the previous round by knocking down 2018 winner Simona Halep, her first victory against a member of the top 20. The Chinese, 74th in the world , will not have the favor of the predictions against Alizée Cornet, faller in the second round of Ostapenko, 13th in the world. The French number one, quarter-finalist of the last Australian Open, her best result in a Grand Slam at the age of 32, has a great opportunity to compete again for an 8th in Paris after 2017. She will once again be able to count on the support infallible of the French public and the Central. “It’s like an arena. Yes, poor thing (Ostapenko), it couldn’t have been easy for her. But you have to have this advantage a little when you are French, the public is there for that, to bring us to go as far as possible”.
Main matches of the 7th day, Saturday:
Court Philippe-Chatrier (from 12 p.m.)
Iga Swiatek (POL/seed 1) – Danka Kovinic (MNE)Qinwen Zheng (CHN) – Alizé Cornet (FRA)Gilles Simon (FRA) – Marin Cilic (CRO/20)(not before 8:45 p.m.) Holger Rune – Hugo Gaston (ENG)
Court Suzanne-Lenglen (from 11 a.m.)
Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) – Léolia Jeanjean (FRA) Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB / 28) – Daniil Medvedev (RUS / 2) Paula Badosa (ESP / 3) – Veronika Kudermetova (RUS / 29) Mikael Ymer (SWE) – Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE / 4)
Court Simonne-Mathieu (from 11h) McKenzie McDonald (USA) – Jannik Sinner (ITA / 11) Camila Giorgi (ITA / 28) – Aryna Sabalenka (BLR / 7) David Goffin (BEL) – Hubert Hurkacz (POL / 12) ) Madison Keys (USA) – Elena Rybakina (KAZ / 16)
