Daily Reports
This Wednesday, the action at Roland Garros heats up with some of the biggest names in tennis taking to the courts. On Philippe-Chatrier, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, two of the most significant threats to Novak Djokovic's quest to defend his title and secure his 25th Major, will showcase their skills. The day's matches on center court start at 7 a.m. in Argentina (12 noon in Paris) with Caroline García facing Sofía Kenin. Following this, Alcaraz, who debuted with an impressive 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 victory against American Jeffrey John Wolf, will battle Dutchman Jesper De Jong.
Later, Iga Swiatek, the top favorite to win the Roland Garros title, squares off against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. Osaka is aiming to return to her best form after an extended break following motherhood. The night session, which begins at 5:15 p.m., features the 22-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner, who will face the experienced Richard Gasquet. Sinner, the current Australian Open champion, is keen to continue applying pressure on Djokovic in the global ranking race.
In addition to these headline matches, several other exciting contests will unfold throughout the day. Argentine Sebastián Báez will play his second-round match against Austrian Sebastian Ofner. Other Argentine players like Francisco Cerúndolo, Tomás Etcheverry, and Mariano Navone are also in action. Also noteworthy is the debut of Horacio Zeballos and Spanish Marcel Granollers, the world number ones in doubles, who will compete against Mannarino and Martin in the last turn on Court 3.
Further South American representation comes from Colombian Camila Osorio, who takes on Turkish Ons Jabeur in the second round of Suzanne-Lenglen. This illustrious court will also witness matches between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniel Altmaier, Andrey Rublev and Pedro Martínez, and Coco Gauff against Tamara Zidansek.
Other notable matches include Hubert Hurkacz vs. Brandon Nakasima, Karolina Siniakova vs. Chloé Paquet, Danielle Collins vs. Olga Danilovic, and Corentin Moutet vs. Alexander Shevchenko on Simonne Mathieu Court. Meanwhile, on Court 14, the day starts with Katie Volynets vs. Marketa Vondrousova and continues with Denis Shapovalov vs. Frances Tiafoe, Donna Vekic vs. Marta Kostyuk, and Pavel Kotov vs. Stanislas Wawrinka.
Court 7 features matches starting with Ben Shelton vs. Kei Nishikori, followed by Jelena Ostapenko vs. Clara Tauson, Fábián Marozsán vs. Grigor Dimitrov, and finishing with Ludmila Samsonova vs. Amanda Anisimova. Among these players, Ben Shelton stands out as he recently triumphed in a left-handed duel against Frenchman Hugo Gaston, showcasing his skill and determination.
- The match between Hugo Gaston and Ben Shelton was a true roller coaster. Although Gaston took an early lead by winning the first round, the American managed to equalize by taking the second set. Gaston initially had an advantage in the third round but couldn't sustain it, allowing Shelton to reclaim the lead. The pattern continued into the fourth round, and Shelton eventually sealed the victory with another break in the ninth game.
- This victory propels the 21-year-old Shelton, who made headlines last year with a deep run at the US Open, into the second round, where he will face Japanese player Kei Nishikori. Nishikori, currently ranked 350th, represents a new challenge for the young American.
