Key events
*Swiatek 7-6 (1) 1-6 0-2 Osaka (*denotes server) Osaka is all over Swiatek’s serve like ants on a chocolate bar. The world No 1 was 40-15 in this game but Osaka’s returns are absolute dynamite and Swiatek is increasingly cautious with her serves. Osaka goes a break up and has now won eight of the last nine games.
Swiatek 7-6 (1) 1-6 0-1 Osaka* (*denotes server) Swiatek starts more confidently and, at 15-30, Osaka misses an overhead smash giving her opponent two break points. She takes it to deuce, however, with a well-won point and her sixth ace. Osaka nets to give Swiatek a third break point; saves it again. Swiatek goes long with a return … another unreturnable serve and Osaka is in the lead! A fascinating game.
No surprise that Swiatek is taking time to regroup before the decisive third set. Her form wobbled at the end of the first set but really fell away in that second in alarming fashion. Of course, some of the unforced errors came via the pressure put on her by Osaka’s sublime play.
Osaka wins the second set 6-1 against Swiatek
What a display of accuracy, power and shot-making that was Osaka. She dominates the second set to level this match at one set all!
She was really reading Swiatek’s serve and getting the best of the rallies from the back of the court in the decisive game. Osaka goes 15-30 up, 15-40 up, two set points – and she took the first as Swiatek went wide with a backhand. Game on.
Swiatek 7-6 (1) 1-5 Osaka* (*denotes server) Osaka wins the first two points in rapid succession then goes 40-0 up with a sensational backhand down the line. What a shot. Then she wraps up the game in double-quick time without coming close to dropping a point. She’s one game away from levelling this intriguing match.
*Swiatek 7-6 (1) 1-4 Osaka (*denotes server) A much-needed hold from Swiatek as she finally gets on the board in this second set. She looked a bit more confident on her serve, attacking the net on the decisive point. As you’d expect, the pressure of being 4-0 down did not get to her.
Swiatek 7-6 (1) 0-4 Osaka* (*denotes server) Thanks Yara. What a champion-level fightback this is from Osaka after losing the first-set tie-break. She is near-flawless in this second set on her opponent’s favourite surface.
That’s all from me today. I leave you in the very capable hands of Alex Reid to take you through the rest of this thrilling game. Thanks for joining me!
*Swiatek 7-6 (1) 0-3 Osaka (*denotes server) A double break for Osaka! What a gamble from her in that final point. She takes a couple of steps to the left to put some pressure on Swiatek and she returns the serve with such ease and precision that the Pole can only watch as she goes three games down.
Swiatek 7-6 (1) 0-2 Osaka* (*denotes server) Stunning from Osaka. A massive forehand down on the line was the highlight of that game. There is so much strength and variety in her shotmaking.
In other news, Coco Gauff has walked out on the other court for her late game. The third seed takes on Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia.
*Swiatek 7-6 (1) 0-1 Osaka (*denotes server) No lingering thoughts on that tie-break loss from Osaka. It is straight to business in the second set. She gets lucky with a double fault from Swiatek (her second of the match) and then hammers a backhand down the line to earn the two break points and take the game.
Rublev has won against Martínez 6-3 6-4 6-3.
Swiatek wins the first set 7-6 (1) against Osaka
Momentum slipped away from Osaka early on in that tie-break. The world No 1 managed to go 4-0 up and despite Osaka getting one back, Swiatek, once again, shows that she is the master at forcing an opponent to go corner to corner until they make a mistake.
Tough one for Osaka to take after really growing into the set but Swiatek is just so good on this surface (and overall!). She will need to find another level if she wants a chance. The question is, does she have one?
*Swiatek 6-6 Osaka (*denotes server) We head to a tie-break after some great hitting from Swiatek. Osaka could not just deal with the precision in that game and a couple of her attempts to attack did not come off.
Swiatek 5-6 Osaka* (*denotes server) Swiatek has some great returns. The world No 1 is at times staying stationary in her spot, while directing the ball to both ends of the court. But Osaka is moving better and looking so much more comfortable on the clay. She manages to take the game, and Swiatek will now serve to stay in the set for the second time.
*Swiatek 5-5 Osaka (*denotes server) A double fault from Swiatek to start us off. And her troubles don’t stop there. Her usual shots that she was hitting earlier in the set are not coming off and after she nets an easy one under no pressure it is set point for Osaka. But the Japanese can’t make the most of it, with her forehand at the baseline just long.
Back at deuce, Osaka nets after she tries to heavily attack Swiatek’s second serve and the world No 1 just about survives after another long shot.
Swiatek 4-5 Osaka* (*denotes server) Osaka’s third ace of the match starts off the ninth game of the first set. But some good hitting from Swiatek puts her at 40-30. She looks to close out the game but she nets and her face deadpans. The Pole does it again right after, the ball looking way to spinny, to give Osaka the advantage and she closes out the game to take the lead for the first time in this match.
*Swiatek 4-4 Osaka (*denotes server) Swiatek goes up 40-0 but all of a sudden it is deuce after a couple of uncharacteristically long shots from the world No 1. She then nets after a short rally and all of a sudden it is a break point for Osaka … Will she do it? She does! Osaka breaks. She doesn’t attack the second serve but bides her time and Swiatek hits a shot well long. A loud ‘Come on!’ from the Japanese.
Osaka is up 7-3 in the last ten points and we’re all square in the first set!
Swiatek 4-3 Osaka* (*denotes server) Fantastic game from Osaka. She ventures up to the net for a shot that tricks Swiatek before a forehand that is right on the line.
An update on Rublev [6] v Martínez: The Russian leads 6-3 6-4 on Suzanne Lenglen.
*Swiatek 4-2 Osaka (*denotes server) Swiatek starts the game with ease but some great back-to-back points from Osaka make it 40-all: first, a forehand straight across and second, a backhand down the line.
But then two back-to-back shots that go out at the baseline leave the Japanese once again chasing.
Swiatek 3-2 Osaka* (*denotes server) An ace from Osaka gets her on the board to make it 15-all but the world No 1 takes the lead in the game with a cross-court shot.
Amazing power from Osaka on a backhand and then another ace puts her up 40-30 and she closes out the game in style.
*Swiatek 3-1 Osaka (*denotes server) So good from the Pole. The previous game was a master in receiving and this one was in serving. Osaka simply can’t handle the accuracy of the serves.
Swiatek 2-1 Osaka* (*denotes server) Easy game for Swiatek as she breaks without dropping a single point. A masterclass on how to defend a strong serve on clay.
We have gotten confirmation that all the games scheduled to play on the outside courts have been cancelled due to the rain. Spare a thought for the organisers who will have to reschedule all the matches from the last couple of days.
*Swiatek 1-1 Osaka (*denotes server) Osaka takes the first point with a an extremely powerful forehand, but Swiatek is able to redirect the ball so easily with a backhand down the line. She knows (as does everyone) that she breezes through this match by forcing Osaka move on her worst surface.
Still early days though, and the power behind her backhand forces Swiatek to net, making it 40-30. It looks like she takes the second game but the umpire takes a second look and deems her shot out. Swiatek takes advantage and then the game after saving the break point.
Swiatek 0-1 Osaka* (*denotes server) Osaka begins with a double fault (not great) but quickly makes it 15-all with a speeding forehand right up at the net.
Swiatek then nets the next serve but makes it 30-all with a cross-court forehand. Osaka’s limitations with her movement on clay already on display.
But no matter her form, her serve will always be killer. And that is what wins her the first game.
Here we go. Osaka to serve against Swiatek [1] in the second round of the French Open. Two four-times grand slam winners.
The two players are out on the court at Philippe-Chatrier and will begin their final warm ups.
Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka have faced each other twice.
In 2019, Osaka defeated the now world No 1 in Toronto in a close two set match. Three years later, it was Swiatek who got the better of her opponent in the final of the 2022 Miami Open.
Swiatek, of course, heads into this match up as the heavy favourite. Not only is she the best women’s tennis player in the word right now, but clay is her specialty. Three of Swiatek’s grand slam wins have come in Paris and she is currently unbeaten in her last 13 matched on red dirt.
Osaka, on the other hand, has never been past the third round at Roland Garros, nor has she reached the final of any clay-court event. She is currently ranked No 134 in the world and is attempting to make her way back to the top after time away to give birth.
A blockbuster of a match up next.
Up next for Alcaraz, it will either be the American Sebastian Korda, who is seeded 27th, or South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo in the third round.
Carlos Alcaraz says that his match against Jesper De Jong shows that the rankings don’t matter on the court.
This kind of tournament, every player can give you trouble. You have to be focused in every match, every game and every point. It doesn’t matter that I am top of the rankings and you are playing someone outside of the Top 100. The work and the level you show is what matters. I am sure he will break the Top 100.
On when he realised during the match he could not have fun:
In the third set I had to forget about putting on a show and put myself a chance in the rallies. I was in trouble a little bit.
On if the long match was good for him given that he has not played much on clay this season due to his earlier arm injury:
I prefer not to spend too much time on the court but every match is different. It is good for me to get the time but I prefer to spend less hours on the court.
Carlos Alcaraz [3] beats Jesper De Jong 6-3 6-4 2-6 6-2
A sigh of relief from Alcaraz before pumping his fists up once De Jong nets his shot on the match point. After three hours and nine minutes, he obviously did not want this to go to five sets.
Thanks Daniel, and hello all. It has been a bit of a nervy one here for Alcaraz but he is now up 5-2 in the third set. De Jong tries to elicit some cheers after a drop shot (the crowd do love an underdog but I think they might love Alcaraz more) but the Spaniard makes him work defensively and it does not fall his way.
Righto, that’s it from me for now – here’s Yara El-Shaboury to chill with you through the next bit.
A moment ago I almost called De Jong “the youngster” by way of inelegant variation to avoid repeating his name, only to realise he’s a coupe of years older than Alcaraz. Which tells us what a freak of nature “the Spaniard” is, but that shouldn’t distract us from the poternial of “the whippersnapper”. If he can recapture this level, rather than make this the performance of his life, he can do plenty, but as I type an Alcaraz forehand winner not only raises two break points but shows us that De Jong is bushed – he tried chasing it, but without the conviction he might get it. And shonuff, another error follows, so Alcaraz now leads 6-3 6-4 2-6 4-2. Oh, and Rublev has just broken Martinez for 5-2 in set one.
On Lenglen, Rublev leads Martinez – who’s beaten Casper Ruud on clay this season – 3-2 on serve.
Alcaraz makes 0-30 then, sent another drop – De Jong has hit loads, perhaps uncovering a weakness – he misses with his pick-up! I’m not sure I’ve seen the world number three play this miserably, and an ace brings us back to 30-all. So we wind up at deuce and De Jong serve-volleys only to dump into the net … then serve a double you coul see coming after the first delivery hit the tape. We’re back on serve at 2-2 in the fourth, but even if Alcaraz progresses, this is the kind of performance that makes you wonder if a player can win a tournament. And I’m certain others will be watching fancying themselves to try the drops that’ve brought De Jong so much joy.
De Jong had the trainer out between sets, working what looked like an ankle, but he seemed fine. And look at him now, breaking again – Alcaraz is struggling mentally here, no longer the happy boy who just enjoys tennis – for 2-1 before calling for help once more.
I wonder if Alcaraz assumed that at 2-0 up, the rest of the match would take care of itself – with good reason, it’s fair to say. But De Jong has maintained his level throughout though, as I type, he sends down a double at 30-all. He’s saved plenty of break points today too, but this time Alcaraz measures his return rather than going for the line, and it elicits the error. We’re back on serve at 1-1 in the fourth.
On Lenglen, Martinez and Rublev are under way.
What on earth is going on?! I’ve was more focused on Jabeur v Osorio the lastbit, for obvious reasons – a decider with a seed in serious trouble – but I did notice Alcaraz overhitting, perhaps sacrificing a set already half-gone to test out his forearm. But he’s not got his rhythm back yet, down break point and again going long on the forehand! De Jong leads 1-0 in the fourth and what a performance this is from him!
