French Open Tennis: Djokovic and Alcaraz Cruise to Quarterfinals while Svitolina Triumphs in Emotional Match Against Kasatkina

Even the world number one Carlos Alcaraz managed the 4th round without hesitation. The 20-year-old Spanish tennis player defeated the Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6:3, 6:2, 6:2, and by advancing to the quarterfinals, he equaled last year’s maximum in his third Paris start. The reigning US Open champion extended his winning streak at the Grand Slams to eleven matches, he did not start at the Australian Open this year due to injury.

Two-time champion from the Paris clay, Djokovic has not lost a set in the tournament so far this year and celebrated the smoothest progress to date against Varillas. He stayed on Philippe Chatrier’s court for less than two hours this time and can now think about winning a record 23rd Grand Slam title. With 22 trophies, he shares the all-time record with Nadal, the long-time clay court champion, and a victory would also return him to the top of the world rankings.

His next opponent will be Karen Chačanov. The eleventh-seeded Russian defeated Lorenzo Sonego from Italy 1:6, 6:4, 7:6, 6:1. Alcaraz has a duel with Stefanos Tsitsipas, the tournament’s top five. The Greek finalist of the 2021 tournament knocked out Austrian Sebastian Ofner 7:5, 6:3, 6:0.

Sunday’s match between Russia’s Kasatkina and Ukraine’s Svitolina had a big charge. She dominated the duel in two sets and, unlike her opponent, received a big ovation. “Thank you very much for the great support. It was incredible, the fans here are great,” beamed the winner, who is playing her first Grand Slam tournament after the birth of her daughter. “I didn’t expect to play this well,” she explained in an interview right on the court.

Due to the war conflict in Ukraine, where the Russian aggressor invaded the office more than a year ago, they have a special charge for the athletes of both countries. And the win certainly had a special price for Svitolina as well. But the winner was able to recognize the qualities of her Russian rival. “She has a unique playing style, I’m glad that the match ended in two sets,” the winner sighed.

The reigning champion of the Australian Open, for whom the third round was the maximum so far at Roland Garros, beat American Sloane Stephens 7:6, 6:4 in the round of 16 and is still undefeated at the Grand Slams this year. She thus remains in the game for the world number one spot, from which she can unseat the Polish Iga Šwiateková.