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Key events
Kotov 4-6, 4-6, 2-3 *Gresnik (*denotes next server)
And there’s a break in the third set for Yannick Sinner. He clenches his fist and celebrates, knowing that this must be (almost) the final nail in Kotov’s coffin.
Leila Fernandez wins the toss and will bat. Serve even.
*Kotov 4-6, 4-6, 2-2 Gresnik (*denotes next server)
All square in Philippe-Chatrier’s third. Sinner just hit a pretty spectacular forehand drop that sent Kotov into a frenzy.
Ons Jaberin a pre-recorded interview, was asked who she would choose between Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka, both of her close friends.
“That’s a tough question,” she replies. “I choose Paula Sabalenka. New player.”
Leila Fernandez (31) vs Ons Jaber (8) in the next Suzanne Lenglen.
And next up for Philippe-Chatrier is Iga Swiatek (1) against Marie Bouzkova. We will see how effectively Kotov will fight in this third set and keep this pair waiting…
*Kotov 4-6, 4-6, 1-1 Gresnik (*denotes next server)
As it turned out, Kotov did put some pressure on Sinner’s serve. He goes for two but the Italian shuts him down.
Why not have a leg in our quiz of the week?
Kotov 4-6, 4-6, 1-0 *Gresnik (*denotes next server)
Kotov held fast to open the third. But can the world number 56 find a way to pressure the Italian’s serve?
Kotov 4-6, 4-6 Gresnik
Reigning Australian Open champion Sinner has now built a two-set lead against Kotov.
“I have to thank everyone for going out today,” says Arnaldi. “Thank you very much. It’s amazing. I think I played the best tennis of my life for sure.
“To do it in three sets … it’s easy to do it in two sets in a normal tournament … In two sets that I love, I thought maybe I’d have a little dip.
“He certainly didn’t play his best tennis, but I used the right tactics to put him under pressure and it worked out very well today.”
“For sure the first set was important for me. I’m not the favorite. It [the conditions] are different… We started normally [earlier in the week]then we closed the roof … the conditions were completely different to the rounds I had played before.”
They ask Arnaldi about Elisabetta Cocciaretowho earlier won the women’s singles against Lyudmila Samsonova.
“We’ve known each other for a long time, since we were 11 or 12… Yannick, Lorenzo, Luciano… everyone else. It gives you a little boost because we grew up together. You see them succeed and you want to do the same. It makes us go out on the court and do a little bit more. It’s certainly working now.”
Arnaldi beat Rublev! 7-6, 6-2, 6-4
The Italian holds to love and wins in two sets. Boom.
He will meet either Gizhen Can or Stefanos Tsitsipas (9) in the round of 16.
We can’t be far from reference by Richie Tenenbaum.
Rublev 6-7, 2-6, 4-5 *Arnaldi (*denotes next server)
Rublev musters up some all-or-nothing energy and connects with some lusty forehands, getting into the corners and holding serve with relative ease.
Still, Arnaldi comes to serve for the match and his first win against a top-10 opponent at a Grand Slam.
Kotov 4-6, 3-4 *Gresnik (*denotes next server)
The Italian No. 2 serves to move within a game of a set to Philippe-Chatrier.
*Rublev 6-7, 2-6, 3-5 Arnaldi (*denotes next server)
The business retention of the Italian and Rublev should serve to stay in the tournament.
Rublev loses his cool and slams his racket repeatedly into his right thigh. They are taking him apart and it hurts. Commentators are beginning to fear for his mental health.
Rublev 6-7, 2-6, 3-4 *Arnaldi (*denotes next server)
After her win earlier today, Elisabetta Cocciareto said that the Italian federation is doing a great job supporting all their players here at Roland Garros. That certainly seems to be the case for Arnaldi, who played some stunning stuff against his Russian, or rather neutral, opponent.
The 23-year-old Italian smashes a forehand down the line – quite a beautiful shot – to break for 4-2 in the third and potentially final set! Rublev looks like a drunk boxer. He has no answer to this child.
Thanks Dominic. There it is then. Sinner just took a 4-2 lead in the second set against Kotov.
With my power hour over, I’ll turn it over to Luke McLaughlin, who will continue to cover these two fascinating matches. All yours, Luke.
Apologies for the small mistake before. I wrote Arnaldi instead of Kotov. The dangers of dual screening. Now everything is fixed.
Rublev 6-7, 2-6, 2-2 Arnaldi
There is simply no victory for Andrei Rublev today. Arnaldi’s smooth hands get him out of trouble as he makes an important hold of serve. The crowd is chanting “Rublev, Rublev” and I guess he needs as much help as possible.
The sinner is the greater name, but this Rublev vs. Arnaldi match is the bigger story as it stands. With the likes of Alcaraz, Swiatek and Jabeur all to come, the day should be full of headlines. Rublev reached 15-30 on Arnaldi’s serve after a fierce pass.
Gresnik 6-4, 3-1 Kotov
Jannik Sinner is a real contender for all that crap you know. The way he covers the court gliding across the clay is phenomenal and his baseline shots are good for anyone. Kotov serves as well as he can in this final Sinner service game, but is still outplayed by the No. 2 seed.
true Rublev holds his serve in the first game of the third set against Arnaldi. Now he really has to show up. He still looks very confused and frenetic between points, although he does find the odd sensational winner through that swinging forehand. Arnaldi does enough to hold on thanks to a few unprovoked mistakes by the Russian. 1-1
Here’s that shot I was talking about.
Sinner with a superior winner running back and turning backhand side after being drawn to the net. He goes past Arnaldi and goes up 30-0, trying to hold serve in the second game of the second set.
Rublev 6-7, Arnaldi 2-6
Rublev cut a rather unfortunate figure after sending a backhand long to wrap up the second set in favor of his opponent. Clad in all black, the Russian makes his way to his seat, considering a possible early exit from this year’s French Open Championship.
Oh my. Arnaldi gets the double break and serves to go up 2-0 in the sets. There is a problem in the crowd with the referee asking two people to sit behind the server’s eye line. Widespread jeers from the Parisian crowd. This will not help Rublev’s concentration.
Gresnik 6-4 Kotov
Game and first set, Sinner! He was made to work pretty hard for it, but a tame Kotov forehand at the net gifted it to the Italian. A quick fist pump and it’s time to sit down.
Rublev 6-7, Arnaldi 2-4
It’s all going horribly wrong for the No.6 in the scheme, who are now kicking their heels in frustration after Arnaldi holds to love. Is it possible for him to recover?
Arnaldi broke! Rublev has all kinds of problems here. He’s down 3-2 and a set down and is standing looking grimly at the ground.
Is there anything better than a stunning drop shot? Not in this match! It’s Sinner’s turn to demonstrate the most deft touch as he holds on to love, showing off his full repertoire in this service game. It is 5-3 and Kotov will serve to stay in the set.
Gresnik 4-3 Kotov
No fouls, no mishaps for Kotov as he holds serve. Now it’s just a question of whether he can pull away. He will only have two chances to do so. Meanwhile, he is on service between Rublev and Arnaldi.
Gresnik 4-2 Kotov
An exceptional drop shot by Kotov wins him the opening point on Sinner’s serve. Kotov tries again later in the game, but Sinner is more nimble this time and rises to the challenge. The Italian is truly a joy to watch around the court. He serves it to support the break.
I’ll be watching Sinner v Kotov for a bit, with the Italian pointing a clenched fist at his corner after taking the first break of serve of the match. He will look to take control of this set now.
Clara Tauson vs. Sofia Kenin is about to start on Court No. 7, while on No. 15, Xinyu Wang against Anastasia Potapova was sent off with the Chinese leading 4-0.
Rublev stretched every sinew to hold on. He leads 2-1 in the second.
Rublev waves his hands in bewilderment when Arnaldi forces a break point but the Russian responds well with some big serves… and then double faults. Hey, the sixth seed isn’t doing it his way.
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