French Open Day 3 LIVE

DJOKOVIC 6-4 7-6 5-4 HERBERT

Djokovic hammers a smash down the middle on his way to ANOTHER clean hold. It’s almost as if they have accepted a TB at this stage…

Still, a bit of scoreboard pressure can always change that pattern late in the day…

‘He can relax a little bit’ – Djokovic wins second set tiebreak to close in on victory

DJOKOVIC 6-4 7-6 4-4 HERBERT

It’s a ‘sorry… (not sorry) moment’ as Nole benefits from some real luck with a net cord.

It matters little as Herbert throws in a bit of S+V to maraud through another easy hold for the server and square this set once more.

DJOKOVIC 6-4 7-6 4-3 HERBERT

Are we ticking along towards another breaker?

Dokovic barely breaks sweat as he shrugs off an early double fault to secure a routine game to 15.

‘Tremendous, tremendous!’ – Djokovic wins vital tiebreak point with epic shot down the line

DJOKOVIC 6-4 7-6 3-3 HERBERT

Djokovic plays one of the worst drop shots you’ll see as it doesn’t quite make net and it sums up his return game as Pierre chalks up a clean hold to level.

BOULTER FORCED INTO A DECIDER

DJOKOVIC 6-4 7-6 3-2 HERBERT

A couple of unforced errors leave Novak playing catch-up at 15-30 but he re-focuses and ends the game on a high with a pair of winners to keep pushing that board.

DJOKOVIC 6-4 7-6 2-2 HERBERT

A pair of aces put Pierre in control but he slightly miscues a 1-2 punch and suddenly Novak comes surging back. The Frenchman tries to be too cute with a volley at the net to offer up break point, but a super first serve down the T rescues the situation.

A double fault for Bp 2 is wiped out by another ace and a one-two punch from close-in sees the wildcard seize the initiative.

He saves the best for last though, stopping dead to hit an audacious dropper from deep to completely surprise Nole and pull off a fine hold.

DJOKOVIC 6-4 7-6 2-1 HERBERT

As clean as you like. Djokovic shrugs off that disappointment on the return to blitz through a perfect hold and nudge the board in his favour.

BADOSA TURNS THE TABLES

Boulter was leading 6-4 4-2 and en route to round 2, but the Spaniard has clawed her way back into it and now leads 5-4 in the second with Boulter serving next.

DJOKOVIC 6-4 7-6 1-1 HERBERT

He gestures at his family/team as Herbert unloads some hefty first serves to battle back from 0-30 and dig out a superb hold.

DJOKOVIC 6-4 7-6 1-0 HERBERT

Novak looks in a hurry now as he opens with a statement-like love hold.

SET! – DJOKOVIC 6-4 7-6 HERBERT

The World No.1 may not be at his very best, but he’s doing more than enough so far, stepping it up in the breaker to take it 7-3 and secure a two-set advantage.

TIE-BREAK LATEST – DJOKOVIC 5-1 HERBERT

The Eurosport Comms team talk it up before the breaker and sure enough Nole goes into it, guiding a brilliant wrong-footing volley down the line after Herbert had picked up his dropper.

There’s a lapse when he miscues a return long but he quickly retunes and some deep, probing forehands force an error to put him back on the front foot.

A super second serve leaves Herbert on the back foot again and the Serb leads 5-1 at the change of ends.

‘Do we have a match on our hands?’ – Herbert instantly breaks back against Djokovic

DJOKOVIC 6-4 6-6 HERBERT

There’s that unique elasticity that can so often set Nole apart. He almost does the splits getting down to a backhand on the stretch before fizzing it down the line to lure the error.

The Serb then slaps away a drop shot crosscourt before a disinterested slice long from Herbert concluders a love hold and takes us into the breaker.

BRIT WATCH

No.26 seed Katie Boulter is on a roll right now as she leads 6-4 2-0 against Badosa.

DJOKOVIC 6-4 5-6 HERBERT

Nole glares at the clay surface to the left of his baseline as Herbert avoids pressure for a 40-15 lead. The Serb again makes a minor inroad but then slips as the Frenchman brushes another forehand to his left flank to guarantee himself the minimum of a tie break.

DJOKOVIC 6-4 5-5 HERBERT

There’s no big shock this time around as Novak cruises through a love game to remain in the hunt for a two-set lead.

BOULTER TAKES THE OPENER AGAINST BADOSA

DJOKOVIC 6-4 4-5 HERBERT

Pierre is left bamboozled by a Nole lob that clips the back of the baseline. It would normally turn up the heat at 40-30 but the Frenchman has been inspired at times tonight and guesses right at the net with a block volley to seal the hold and crank up some scoreboard pressure.

DJOKOVIC 6-4 4-4 HERBERT

The French crowd raise the volume in anticipation as Herbert presses to 30-30 and he then has them on their feet with an audacious crosscourt drop shot to make deuce.

The wildcard has a good look at a second serve but snatches at his return and arrows it into the net.

It’s a let off for Novak and he makes the most of it as Pierre floats a harmless forehand slice long.

BRIT WATCH – BOULTER BATTLING BACK

The British No.1 trails in the opener to Paula Badosa but has just broken back at 3-4.

DJOKOVIC 6-4 3-4 HERBERT

Djokovic is regarded as the best returner of all-time by many, so it’s puzzling to see Herbert scamper through another love hold and push the board again without much of a sniff of pressure.

DJOKOVIC 6-4 3-3 HERBERT

On Eurosport Comms, McEnroe suggests Nole’s movement and demeanour are possibly cause for concern for Djoker fans, but he’s still in charge here and routinely levels up with an efficient game to 15.

DJOKOVIC 6-4 2-3 HERBERT

Herbert saunters through a convincing love hold to keep his nose in front on the board. He will feel that he is up against far from peak Djokovic, but it’s still questionable as to whether he can really get under the skin of the reigning champion.

DJOKOVIC 6-4 2-2 HERBERT

Nole bangs his head with his racquet as he laments a choice of drop shot that Pierre tracks down before guiding a winner down the line.

It matters little in the overall context of the game though as the Serb’s clutch serve eases him through with a game to 15.

‘Just too good!’ – Djokovic gains ‘convincing’ break with audacious finish

DJOKOVIC 6-4 1-2 HERBERT

It’s a bit of a rollercoaster as Novak roars back from 40-15 down with a series of forehand winners to earn BP from deuce.

Herbert switches it up with some crosscourt slice defence and lures the error before a couple of winners of his own, including a lovely block volley on the reach helps him over the line.

BREAK! – DJOKOVIC 6-4 1-1 HERBERT

John McEnroe on Eurosport Comms calls this twist ‘unexpected’ and he’s not wrong!

Djokovic has been imperious on serve but suddenly wobbles when he lashes into the tramlines by a whisker after stunning defence had seen him repel a couple of fine smashes from the French wild card.

The near miss seemed to affect the Serb who suddenly couldn’t find the court and pretty much broke himself to hand Pierre hope.

‘Pretty comfortable in the end’ – Djokovic ‘never threatened’ as he wins first set in Herbert clash

BREAK! – DJOKOVIC 6-4 1-0 HERBERT

There’s a shake of the fist as Nole hammers a forehand down the line to breach his opponent’s defences and break right at the start of Set 2.

Pierre may feel he was a tad unlucky as he was beaten by a flick off the net cord at 30-30 and was unable to avoid the BP despite some readjustment and improvisation.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! – EVANS 4-6 4-6 4-6 RUNE

Rune hits back from 15-30 down to serve out victory over the GB veteran in two hours and 35 minutes.

The Dane reeled off four games in a row to rip up Evo’s hopes of a comeback and book his spot in round two.

‘Unlucky’ – Evans broken by Rune again as lob goes ‘a fraction’ too long

SET! – DJOKOVIC 6-4 HERBERT

Herbert had his moments and he clocks up the opening point here, but The Serbintator was locked in on his goal and serves out on the first of two set point inside 37 minutes.

BREAK! – EVANS 4-6 4-6 4-5 RUNE

It’s all going wrong for Evo. He was 4-2 up and looking like taking this to a fourth but Rune has snared two breaks either side of a hold from deuce to leave the Brit facing up to another first-round exit this year.

Rune will now serve for the match.

DJOKOVIC 5-4 HERBERT

Pierre turns a 15-30 concern on its head with the help of his third ace of the night. The crowd respond and the serve-out question is effectively posed.

DJOKOVIC 5-3 HERBERT

Novak may not be feeling quite himself this year but he’s serving like a dream so far tonight. Another ace helps him through a love hold and he’ll be pretty content so far.

‘Arrowed to perfection’ – Djokovic gains early break over Herbert

DJOKOVIC 4-3 HERBERT

Herbert slaps down his second ace of the match and then outfoxes the Serb with a lovely weight on a dropper as he does enough with a game to 30 to remain on the heels of the defending champion.

McEnroe – Djokovic wants to ‘get as far away as possible’ from Nadal, Federer in major rankings

BREAK! – EVANS 4-6 4-6 4-3 RUNE

Oh Dan… The veteran Brit can’t land enough first serves and a fired up Rune decides to unload some of that frustration.

The UEs from the previous game are replaced by a couple of lovely winners and the Dane roars towards his team as he breaks straight back.

‘A heck of a start!’ – Herbert wins opening game against Djokovic to love

DJOKOVIC 4-2 HERBERT

The trumpet booms into life in the crowd as Pierre produces a moment of magic to threaten at 30-30 courtesy of an audacious crosscourt lob.

The Frenchman then undoes his good work with a timid jab of the backhand long and Djoker makes him pay with a rasping winner down the line to maintain his advantage.

BREAK! – EVANS 4-6 4-6 4-2 RUNE

It’s all down to a real lull from Rune who unloads a trio of unforced errors in a row to tee up double break point. The youngster saves one with a timely ace but then coughs up another avoidable error to gift-wrap the break to his opponent.

DJOKOVIC 3-2 HERBERT

That’s more like it from the World No.142 as he pops down his first ace of the night to stay in contention with a hold to 15.

DJOKOVIC 3-1 HERBERT

Djokovic makes it back-to-back love holds with more splendid serving as he consolidates with ease.

EVANS 4-6 4-6 3-2 RUNE

Still on serve in the early stages of Set 3. The server has reigned supreme with very few points against coughed up. Evo has the scoreboard advantage and will hope to maintain that pushing into the business end of this one.

BREAK! – DJOKOVIC 2-1 HERBERT

From the sublime to the, er, not so sublime.

Pierre-Hugues is playing catch up from the moment he opens with a double fault and he stares down the barrel of triple BP when Nole slides into a drop shot and expertly flicks it crosscourt.

A delightful stun volley sees the Frenchman swat away one, but Nole is not to be denied and makes it count on his second with a sizzling backhand winner up the line.

DJOKOVIC 1-1 HERBERT

Many eyes are on what has been an out-of-sorts Nole in 2024 but he’s solid enough on serve, cruising through his own love hold to get on the board.

MEANWHILE IN TEAM TSITSIPAS HQ

DJOKOVIC 0-1 HERBERT

If you’d never watched tennis before you could be forgiven for wondering which one of these is the great Novak Djokovic.

Indeed, Herbert sizzles winners off both flanks, expertly tip-toeing along his clay baseline to open with a very impressive clean hold.

SET! – EVANS 4-6 4-6 RUNE

It’s just that one break but in the end it’s decisive as Rune clouts down his fourth ace of the day en route to serving himself into a two-set lead via a game to love.

H2H

This is the second meeting between Herbert and Djoker with the latter winning their maiden showdown 7-6 6-3 at the 2013 Paris Masters.

TIME FOR THE NIGHT SESSION!

We are about to switch full focus to Novak Djokovic as he takes centre stage in the evening action on Chatrier.

The Serb’s quest for a standalone record of 25 majors in the sport kicks off versus two-time Roland Garros doubles champion Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who is wild card in this year’s singles.

The players are due on court from 19.15 BST and we will of course keep on top of Evans versus Rune too.

‘Low expectations and high hopes’ – Djokovic on his outlook for Roland-Garros

EVANS 4-6 2-4 RUNE

A love hold each is the calm before the storm as Rune again makes the breakthrough in game five with some clinical tennis from deuce.

Evo rallies hard to try and bite straight back but the young Dane finds his best on the big points and more heavy-hitting helps him consolidate from deuce.

Rune takes tough opening set against Britain’s Evans in first-round clash

EVANS 4-6 1-1 RUNE

It’s a hold apiece to kick off Set 2 with Rune hitting clutch mode to fend off Evo’s first BP of the match and claim the hold from deuce.

SET! – EVANS 4-6 RUNE

The No.13 seed unloads a gorgeous backhand winner down the line to open but is then caught out by a flurry of Evo block volleys at the net.

Another surge to the net rushes Holger into a backhand pass that clips the net and flies long.

It’s a glimmer of a chance for the Brit but the Scandinavian scrubs it out with a clutch serve before leaping into the air to slap away a smash to tee up set point.

Another excellent serve does the job and it’s Rune who takes the opener in 48 minutes.

BREAK! – EVANS 4-5 RUNE

Rune manages to add extra zip to his crosscourt return and catches Evo off guard in his attempt at the serve and volley. His block ends up flying long and tees up break point for the Dane, who makes it count this time with a low pick-up to a drop-shot that bounces awkwardly and causes Evans to barely make contact.

It’s a real blow for the Brit with Rune now gearing up to serve for the set.

EVANS 4-4 RUNE

A superb forehand winner on the run arrows down the line but it’s all Evans can muster as Rune nabs the next point with a sublime drop shot to close out a comfortable game to 15.

Still anyone’s set here as we continue to wonder who’s going to blink first?

EVANS 4-3 RUNE

There’s a bit of everything from Evo, including his favourite S+V tactic as he keeps Holger at arm’s length to edge a game to 30 and nudge his nose back in front entering the business end of the set.

EVANS 3-3 RUNE

A first ace is the pick of some wonderful serving before the Dane polishes off his own slick game to 15 with a one-two punch from a low angle on his baseline.

Relief as Kasatkina plays on after ‘nasty’ looking knee injury

EVANS 3-2 RUNE

What a contrast to his previous service game!

Evo motors through a clean hold in super-quick time to keep pushing the board in his favour.

EVANS 2-2 RUNE

Evo chases down a dropper to flick a tester down the line and then back pedal magnificently to execute a tough overhead.

It gives him a platform at 30-30 but he can’t conjure up anything special as the Dane concludes the hold with a thumping serve that’s too hot to handle.

Henman thinks Sabalenka has ’emphasised’ why she’s a title favourite

EVANS 2-1 RUNE

That was pretty epic but Dan is the Man at the conclusion of a game lasting almost 13 minutes. Rune races to the net to guide a deep forehand pick-up to the far corner and lure an error long to make 30-30 from 30-0 down.

The Dane jumps on a second serve but flashes long before getting a chance to turn the screw at deuce after Evo double faults for the second time in the game.

Rune takes a short ball early on the rise to lash away a forehand for the first break point of the match but Evans slaps down a clutch serve to ensure the face-off at deuce goes on. It takes some doing but Evo finally lashes down a couple of clutch serves to get over the line after Holger had blown a second BP with mid-court forehand long.

‘Just trying to bring my best tennis every time’ – Sabalenka on opening win

EVANS 1-1 RUNE

This is an intriguing match-up. Both players like to throw in plenty of variety and Dan loves a surge to the net.

The Brit has had a tough old 2024 so far but makes a sharp start here with a hold to 30.

Rune had posed a question at 30-30 and the Dane’s big-hitting opening continues in his first service game as he rampages to a love hold.

Rune takes opening points as Britain’s Evans fires long

THE DAY SESSION ON CHATRIER CONCLUDES – BUT DJOKER’S STILL TO COME

Don’t forget we still have the main course ahead of us on Day 3 with World No.1 and reigning champion Novak Djokovic in action from 19.15 BST against French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

In the meantime, we’ll keep tabs on Lenglen and some of the outside courts with a tasty encounter between GB’s Dan Evans and rising Danish star, Holger Rune not far away.

Wilander on Sabalenka’s attitude – ‘When you’re that committed, good things happen’

GAME, SET AND MATCH! – SABALENKA 6-1 6-2 ANDREEVA

The two-time Australian Open champion and semi-finalist here last year sweeps into round two with an impressive straight sets win over the plucky Russian teenager.

The World No.100 enjoyed a decent spell in the early part of Set 2 but never looked like causing any sort of upset as Aryna served it out on her third MP – converted via a splendid drop shot – in one hour and eight minutes.

Aryna Sabalenka at Roland Garros 2024

Image credit: Getty Images

BREAK! – SABALENKA 6-1 5-2 ANDREEVA

Ouch. It’s a one-two punch failure that sees a forehand burrow into the middle of the net from Andreeva and offers up break point.

Erika’s expression suggests she wants to snap her racquet in half and her mood further darkens when Sabalenka’s ensuing, deep return proves too good for her to keep in play.

The World No.2 will now serve for the match.

SABALENKA 6-1 4-2 ANDREEVA

This has been a much better set of tennis from Erika.

She’s playing some very tidy tennis right now, a fact exemplified by a tremendous forehand winner down the line for 30-30.

Sabalenka seems to have stepped off the gas but finds her groove again just in time as she swats away BP from deuce with two humongous forehand winners en route to grinding out a hard-fought hold.

SABALENKA 6-1 3-2 ANDREEVA

Andreeva slaps down her second ace of the afternoon and has clearly decided to be proactive and aggressive. It’s a fine line between that and leaking errors, but she gets the balance right there with a clean hold – her best of the match.

SABALENKA 6-1 3-1 ANDREEVA

Erika volleys the ball away with her foot in dismay as reality kicks in once again.

The Russian fired an early warning shot but was undone as Saba’s power-game saw her roar through four points in a row to back up the break with the minimum of fuss.

BREAK! – SABALENKA 6-1 2-1 ANDREEVA

Wow! Sabalenka steps on the metal from 30-30, cushioning a beauty of a crosscourt volley before absolutely hammering a return winner up the line to break once more.

There’s nothing many of the best players on the planet could have done about that.

Aryna Sabalenka au 1er tour de Roland Garros 2024

Image credit: Getty Images

BREAK! – SABALENKA 6-1 1-1 ANDREEVA

Sabalenka almost fights herself as she scrubs out a couple of early unforced errors to level at 30-30.

Andreeva takes confidence from the dip and suddenly finds more steel from the baseline to come out on top in a fast-paced exchange and snare a break back point courtesy of Aryna’s rushed forehand into the net.

Sabalenka makes deuce but Andreeva comes up with just her fifth winner of the day to tee up a second BP that Saba helps her convert with a surprising unforced error.

BREAK! – SABALENKA 6-1 1-0 ANDREEVA

Andreeva returns from a lengthy bathroom break between sets, but it doesn’t affect any of the momentum.

Sabalenka was keen to crack on and was prowling her baseline waiting for her opponent to get on with it.

If anything, the delay only served to fire up the No.2 seed as she unloaded a couple of beastly winners before a double fault and a drop shot fail helped her break to love.

SET! – SABALENKA 6-1 ANDREEVA

Erika manages to survive two set points – but not the third as Sabalenka serves out a very one-sided opener in just 26 minutes

BREAK! – SABALENKA 5-1 ANDREEVA

It’s all on Aryna’s racquet and even after she misses she comes back firing on all cylinders to keep the heat firmly on.

Andreeva has game point but can’t escape and as the screw tightens from deuce, she again double faults on break point to put the No.2 seed on track for a breakdstick.

Big-hitting Sabalenka begins Roland-Garros campaign against Andreeva

SABALENKA 4-1 ANDREEVA

Winner No.9 is followed by a delicious lob that’s too precise for Erika to prod back into play and it’s fair to say Aryna looks imperious as she consolidates for the loss of one point.

BREAK! – SABALENKA 3-1 ANDREEVA

The Belarusian unloads again, this time stepping in on the return and blitzing her way to triple break point.

A failure via a touch of finesse from a wide drop shot helps Andreeva save one, but the pressure to conjure up a big delivery leads to a double fault that sees Aryna break on the second.

SABALENKA 2-1 ANDREEVA

Sabalenka’s raw power makes her such a formidable opponent particularly when she’s hitting her targets. She scorches two winners here to ease to another hold to 15.

SABALENKA 1-1 ANDREEVA

A touch of craft with a real work ethic will get you a long way and it puts Andreeva in control via a sublime dropper and some desperate defence that forces a second smash that Aryna blazes into the net.

Sabalenka ups the ante to push at 40-30 with a corking backhand down the line but then lashes long of the baseline and the Russian teenager escapes on to the board.

SABALENKA 1-0 ANDREEVA

Aryna shrugs off an instant misfire, landing an ace down the T and polishing off a hold to 15 with an explosive crosscourt forehand winner.

Interestingly, Erika is looping the ball high, almost ‘moon balling’, when on the defensive. It didn’t really work out for her that time around.

NEXT UP ON CHATRIER: WORLD NO.2 ARYNA SABALENKA

The Australian Open champion will begin her bid to go one better this year and reach the final at RG when she meets 19-year-old Russian World No.100 Erika Andreeva.

Aryna Sabalenka

Image credit: Eurosport

GAME, SET AND MATCH! – RUUD 6-3 6-4 6-3 ALVES

Ruud affords himself a little smile as an exhibition shot through the legs flies wide.

It’s back to business right after as a wild backhand from Felipe follows a sublime dropper from the Norwegian to tee up two match points.

He only needs the one as the Brazilian fizzes wide on the run and it’s the No.7 seed who gets his title tilt off to a flyer with a straight sets win in one hour and 55 minutes.

Casper Ruud, Roland Garros 2024

Image credit: Getty Images

RUUD 6-3 6-4 5-3 ALVES

It’s a rare situation as Felipe wins the opening point on the Ruud serve but then drills a return into the net on the next point, letting out a scream of ‘No!’ as he fails to engage the Norwegian in the rally.

You could forgive him if he screamed again at the end of the game as a pair of winners ease Casper through another game to 15 to leave him on the verge of progress.

RUUD 6-3 6-4 4-3 ALVES

Meligeni Alves continues to impress despite the likelihood that he will exit here.

A high-calibre love hold is sealed with an ace and keeps alive his bid to bite back and extend this match beyond three.

RUUD 6-3 6-4 4-2 ALVES

There’s fist pumps and determined glances to his team from Alves but despite working hard to pose a threat from 30-0 down and make Pulp (30-30), Ruud’s uncanny knack of resetting and responding with a routine point ensures the Brazilian goes unrewarded.

RUUD 6-3 6-4 3-2 ALVES

‘We’re not finished… yet,’ says Felipe as he continues to be aggressive with a strong game to 15.

It’s a do or die approach and he’s hit some supreme winners today.

Indeed, against other opponents he may well have threatened an upset, but Ruud has been impeccable with pretty much everything he’s done. On this evidence and his season overall, you’d have to say he looks like being a major contender again this year.

RUUD 6-3 6-4 3-1 ALVES

Ruud’s first serve percentage remains up in the stratospheric heights of 90 per cent. It’s helping him earn cheap points but also allowing him to immediately dictate with that hefty forehand.

He looks so assured again here and booms away another forehand winner to take his overall tally to 20 and consolidate with a clean hold.

BREAK! – RUUD 6-3 6-4 2-1 ALVES

Felipe hits clutch mode from 0-30 and produces a super wrong-footer on a 1-2 punch before nailing an ace down the T to earn game point.

The purple patch ends when he zaps a forehand long to prolong the game at deuce and Ruud hangs around long enough to snare the break point when he picks up a drop shot and knifes after a low slice that tees up a volley put-away.

There’s no rescue-act this time around as the Brazilian clunks a forehand into the middle of the net to put Ruud firmly on what looks like being a routine the road to victory.

‘Really happy to be back’ – Rybakina delighted to reach second round with ease

RUUD 6-3 6-4 1-1 ALVES

No danger there as Ruud eases on to the board with a solid game to 15.

RUUD 6-3 6-4 0-1 ALVES

Wow! Felipe reaches into the sky to blast a stonking forehand winner down the line from a shoulder-high ball.

It paves the way for a hold to 15 that looks routine on paper, but Ruud will lament a couple of near misses when in charge at 0-15 that could easily have seen him tee up another break opportunity.

SET! – RUUD 6-3 6-4 ALVES

Ruud notches up triple set point with a succession of excellent first serves but then comes under the cosh as Felipe saves two with some blistering forehands.

The Brazilian is in the ascendancy on the third but superb defence from the Scandinavian forces him to keep taking on the forehands and in the end he lashes just long.

RUUD 6-3 5-4 ALVES

Blink and you’ll miss it!

A quick-fire hold apiece takes us into a decisive moment in Set 2 with Ruud about to serve for a two-set lead.

RUUD 6-3 4-3 ALVES

Ruud looks at the far tramline and then at his team in hope – but the shake of their heads says his pass on the run is just wide.

Felipe is relieved as he avoids a tester from deuce and keeps the board ticking with a game to 30.

RUUD 6-3 4-2 ALVES

Felipe may be catching the eye with some blockbusting hitting at times, but Ruud’s relentless dedication to the undervalued art of constant efficiency means he remains firmly in the driving seat.

UPDATE FROM LENGLEN

There are only two matches currently in action in Paris due to the heavy rain.

RUUD 6-3 3-2 ALVES

There’s a roar of approval from the fans on Chatrier as Alves makes a rare impact on the Ruud serve by backing up a succession of heavy strikes with a smash to make deuce.

Sadly, for the World No.137 his opponent has become a master of the next point mentality training at the Rafael Nadal academy can instil, and Ruud resets to find that first serve and dart through the next two points.

Felipe may be second best on the scoreboard, but he’s impressed so far today and remains firmly in contention with a clean hold that is arguably his finest yet.

RUUD 6-3 2-1 ALVES

Ruud isn’t make anything easy for Felipe but the Brazilian avoids falling further behind when he outlasts the Norwegian from 30-30 to edge what prove to be the final two points of the game and get on the board.

RUUD 6-3 2-0 ALVES

Ruud rides his momentum into Set 2 and secures an instant break when his two winners are juxtaposed by a couple of avoidable misses from the Brazilian, who is racing towards the 20-mark in terms of unforced errors.

The No.7 seed is oozing with confidence as he reacts smartly to angle away the volley off an awkward, fizzed return right at him and he chalks up yet another love hold to consolidate and take a real stranglehold of this match.

RYBAKINA REPORT AND REACTION

The world No. 4 is searching for her second Grand Slam, having won Wimbledon in 2022, with her previous best performance at Roland-Garros being a quarter-final appearance in 2021.

SET! – RUUD 6-3 ALVES

Felipe takes some frustration out on his opening return and finally wins a point on the Ruud serve.

It’s the catalyst for a potential twist as he backs up a scorching crosscourt forehand with a crisp winner down the line to tee up break back point.

Ruud responds with a clutch serve and then wallops away a smash to earn set point from deuce.

And it’s the usual script from there as the Norwegian’s big crosscourt forehand lures the error to seal an impressive opener in 43 minutes.

Norway’s Casper Ruud plays a backhand return to Brazil’s Felipe Meligeni Alves during their men’s singles match on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day three of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

Image credit: Getty Images

BREAK! – RUUD 5-3 ALVES

Felipe thinks he’s corked a beauty of a winner on the opening point but his heart sinks when the umpire leaps out of his chair to confirm it is out.

Ruud looks to take full advantage, ripping a forehand up the line that is too hot for the Brazilian to retrieve.

The mood shifts inside Chatrier and there’s a feeling this will be Ruud’s moment when he works his way to triple break point.

Not today, says Felipe – or at least not right now!

Indeed, the qualifier survives a return into the net post and then unloads in quick succession deep to Casper’s baseline to turn around some tense rallies and reach deuce.

Ruud remains unfazed and comes out on top in a crosscourt forecourt exchange at the net before earning a slice of luck when Felipe’s crunching forehand clips the tape and flies out on the fourth.

Ruud will now serve for the set.

Qinwen Zheng v Alize Cornet – Roland-Garros highlights

RUUD 4-3 ALVES

Ruud remains flawless on serve as we head into the business end of this opening set.

Contender Ruud gets off to strong start against Meligeni Alves

RUUD 3-3 ALVES

Felipe stares at his team after another leaky error off the forehand pings long from the forecourt. It offers up break point but for once Casper isn’t so tidy and arcs a crosscourt backhand wide.

It’s deja on a second opportunity from deuce as the Norwegian rasps a probing forehand just long and there’s a rare hint of frustration that flashes across his face.

Meligeni Alves has a chance to see it out but then coughs up a third BP with an awful, mistimed jump into a smash that flies well long.

Once again Ruud loops a crosscourt attempt wide to let the Brazilian off the hook and from there the qualifier grinds out a tough hold, taking on a forehand early to propel it way beyond his opponent’s reach.

RUUD 3-2 ALVES

It’s so efficient from Ruud. He’s made just the one unforced error and has yet to drop a point on serve, concluding another clean hold with a fabulous drop shot Felipe doesn’t even chase.

RUUD 2-2 ALVES

There’s smatterings of lovely approach play from Felipe at times but there are also some careless errors that could be significant as the match develops.

He butchers a mid-court forehand low into the net and comes nowhere near making a dropper count to allow Ruud to reach deuce.

Clutch serving keeps the Norwegian at bay, however, and we remain tied at two apiece in the early sparring under the roof on Chatrier.

Cornet overwhelmed by on-court presentation to celebrate her career

RUUD 2-1 ALVES

It’s smooth and efficient serving from Ruud as he makes quick work of another love hold.

It’s fair to say this contest has got underway at a brisk pace.

Cornet ends her tennis career with emotional defeat to Zheng

RUUD 1-1 ALVES

Felipe turns defence into attack as he steps to his left to reach a Ruud pile-driver down the line to steer a beauty of a crosscourt backhand to the opposite flank.

He’s at it again seconds later as he steers an exquisite lob from that same wing on the stretch en route to a very tidy hold to 15.

RUUD 1-0 ALVES

No surprise to see Ruud dictating with that forehand and luring forced errors out of the Brazilian. It’s sharp work from the Scandinavian as he cruises through a clean hold to open.

Next up on Chatrier – Casper Ruud

No.7 seed Casper Ruud will follow Alize’s emotional send-off.

The Norwegian arrives in Paris on the back of clinching the Geneva title as he continues to shine in 2024.

The 25-year-old leads the ATP Tour with 35 match wins and five finals this year, including a first ATP500 title in Barcelona.

The two-time RG finalist has a perfect record in first round matches at the Paris major with six out six victories and is a heavy favourite to make it 7/7 against Brazilian qualifier and World No.137 Felipe Meligeni Alves.

Highlights as Ruud warms up for French Open with win over Machac in Geneva Open final

AU REVOIR, ALIZE

A Queen of the upset on many an occasion, Cornet continues to beam as RG pays tribute to her. She watches on as a video montage of her career is played on the big screen.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! – ZHENG 6-2 6-1 CORNET

It’s all over! Zheng breaks again on a FOURTH match point to book her place in round two and effectively end the career of Alize Cornet.

The 34-year-old French wild card battled so hard to try and prolong the match with a sizzling backhand up the line and a delicious drive volley offering a couple of last hurrahs as she fought her way to deuce.

Zheng’s venomous return proved too much in the end though and a delightful crosscourt volley got the job done.

It perhaps isn’t the scoreline former World No.11 Cornet would have hoped for to bring down the curtain on her career, but she was all smiles at the end and visibly emotional.

ZHENG 6-2 5-1 CORNET

The power, the length and the precision – Qinwen’s groundstrokes are just too much for Cornet to handle when it comes to the crunch.

A wonderful, wide serve tees up a crosscourt backhand drive volley from 30-30 and the Chinese adjusts the height of a forehand to lure an error under stress long from her opponent to back up the double break and move within a game of victory.

French Open highlights – Rybakina overcomes Minnen in fine fashion

BREAK! – ZHENG 6-2 4-1 CORNET

It’s a hard watch for Alize fans.

It’s just not quite happening. She has her moments again here as a lull from Zheng allows her to claw her way to two break points.

The French veteran loops a loose return long and berates herself and then has a look at a backhand pass down the line that she can only arrow into the tramlines. It’s enough of a reprieve for Zheng to reset and complete a tricky hold from deuce.

It seems even more significant in the following game as Cornet’s serve comes under the microscope again with a double fault compounding her misery on the second of three break points.

BREAK! – ZHENG 6-2 2-1 CORNET

At times the power of Zheng has left Cornet’s shoulders slumped in resignation as the winners pour off the Chinese star’s racquet.

The No.7 seed nails three en route to a confident hold to 15 before her all-out attack on the return leads to an emphatic break to love.

Hard to see Cornet being able to flip the script in any significant sway here…

ZHENG 6-2 0-1 CORNET

Zheng threatens to increase the gloom amongst French tennis fans with a couple of early winners to threaten at 15-30.

Cornet retorts with typical feistiness and a couple of clutch serves help her turn it around to kick off Set 2 on a positive note.

SET! – ZHENG 6-2 CORNET

Cornet had her moments midway through that set but either side of that Zheng was completely dominant and she made no mistake serving out, easing through a game to 15 to mop up the opener in 50 minutes.

Could ‘Queen Wen’ Zheng challenge the Queen of Clay, Iga here?

Has the Chinese starlet kicked on since her maiden appearance in a major final Down Under?

‘A massive learning curve’ – Experts react to Zheng losing to Sabalenka in final

Will Djokovic kick-start a low-key 2024 by his standards in today’s night session?

‘I know what I’m capable of’ – Djokovic ready for another tilt at French Open

BREAK! – ZHENG 5-2 CORNET

There’s a clear sense of irritation in the demeanour of the 21-year-old nicknamed ‘Queen Wen.’

She’s unhappy that she has allowed Cornet to scrap her way back into it and is a whisker away from snatching that double break back.

A beauty of a backhand down the line is followed by one that rakes crosscourt but lands just wide of its mark.

Cornet hustles her way to game point but Zheng refuses to let her off the hook, executing a bewitching dropper to prolong the tussle from deuce.

In the end it’s all rather deflating for French wild card as the No.7 seed does indeed claim the break. She will now serve for the set.

BREAK! – ZHENG 4-2 CORNET

Cornet takes full advantage of a shortage of first serves from Qinwen and manages to snare one of the breaks back. Suddenly there’s a different feel to this one.

ZHENG 4-1 CORNET

Lift off! Cornet gets on the board and the home crowd respond.

The French supporters were somewhat subdued at first, but now they respond to a much-needed hold from the veteran with encouraging applause.

ZHENG 4-0 CORNET

If Alize dreamed of a nightmare scenario last night, this was probably it.

Zheng seems very confident in the match-up and her tactics, easing through another hold to back up the double break with ease.

Rain, rain go away….

BREAK! – ZHENG 3-0 CORNET

Cornet puffs out her cheeks and gulps in some tension-easing Parisian air.

The nightmare scenario is staring her right in the face at triple break point but she finds something from deep within to fight back, unloading a sweet backhand up the line and making deuce with a delicious crosscourt drop shot.

Sadly, it turns out to be a brief riposte as Zheng cannons away a terrific crosscourt backhand to secure the double break in style.

RAMPANT RYBAKINA RACES INTO ROUND TWO

The No.4 seed and 2022 Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina has made quick work of Belgium’s World No.85 Greet Minnen in the first match on Lenglen.

The Kazakhstani star has prevailed 6-2 6-3 in just one hour and 13 minutes.

Elena Rybakina à Roland-Garros en 2024

Image credit: Getty Images

ZHENG 2-0 CORNET

It’s not been a great 2024 for the 34-year-old French wild card and she continues to be irritated by how she’s kicked this match off.

Zheng remains very business-like, landing some big serves and comfortably consolidating with a game to 15.

BREAK! – ZHENG 1-0 CORNET

That’s not the start Cornet would have wanted on her big farewell. She struggles to find first serves in a lengthy seven-minute opener and survives a couple of near misses from the power striking of her opponent before succumbing on a double fault from deuce.

TAKEAWAYS FROM DAY 2

It’s all about Rafael Nadal, really: The King of Clay!

French Open highlights – Zverev defeats Nadal in emotional occasion for Spanish legend

GOOD MORNING

Hello and welcome to our LIVE updates from Day 3 at the 2024 French Open.

We’ve got some big names kicking off their title tilts today with clay-court specialist and two-time finalist Casper Ruud up second on Court Philippe Chatrier against Felipe Meligeni Alves.

That’s followed by women’s World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka versus Erika Andreeva.

The night session features 24-time major winner and reigning champion Novak Djokovic as he locks horns with French hopeful Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

First up on Chatrier though, we’ll be keeping tabs on Australian Open finalist and No.7 seed Qinwen Zheng as she meets Alize Cornet, who has said she will retire following this year’s RG campaign.

French Open Top 5 Shots Day 2 – Monfils and Seyboth Wild thrill crowd with superb rally

SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY, SINGLES – TUESDAY MAY 28 (ALL UK TIMES)

COURT PHILIPPE CHATRIER – FROM 11:00

Qinwen Zheng (7) v Alize CornetFelipe Meligeni Alves v Casper Ruud (7)Erika Andreeva v Aryna Sabalenka (2)Novak Djokovic (1) v Pierre-Hugues HerbertCOURT SUZANNE LENGLEN – FROM 10:00

Greet Minnen v Elena Rybakina (4)Tomas Martin Etcheverry (28) v Arthur CazauxMagdalena French v Daria Kasatkina (10)Dan Evans v Holger Rune (13)COURT SIMONNE MATHIEU – FROM 10:00

Alex De Minaur (11) v Alex MichelsenTaylor Fritz (12) v Federico CoriaMadison Keys (14) v Renata ZarazuaVictoria Azarenka (19) v Nadia PodoroskaPetra Martic v Kristina MladenovicDavid Goffin v Giovanni Mpetshi PerricardKatie Boulter (26) v Paula BadosaGregoire Barrere v Alexander Bublik (19)You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+