French Open Day 8 WrapSabalenka, Djokovic advance to quarters, Kasatkina crashes out

By India Today Sports DeskWorld No.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced to the quarters of the French Open 2023 men’s singles after beating Austria’s Sebastian Ofner in straight sets at Court Suzanne Lenglen. It took only an hour and 48 minutes for the Greek star to win the match 7-5, 6-3, 6-0. He will now face World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.

As far as Alcaraz is concerned, he put in a strong showing against Lorenzo Musetti at Court Philippe Chatrier. The 20-year-old won the match 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and eight minutes. Alcaraz is also fighting to retain her No.1 ATP ranking.

Aryna Sabalenka had to fight hard against Sloanne Stephens before winning the match 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 at Philippe Chatrier. Sabalenka was leading 5-0 in the first set, but her American opponent took the set in a tie-breaker. But the Belarusian held her nerve to come up trumps.

Elina Svitolina, who is taking part in her first Grand Slam after becoming a mother, eased past No.9 seed Daria Kasatkina. The Ukrainian won the match 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) at Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Earlier in the day, World No.3 Novak Djokovic put his best foot forward and defeated Juan Pablo Varillas 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and 57 minutes. Djokovic also advanced to his 17th Roland Garros quarters out of 19 appearances. Djokovic is also fighting to reclaim his No.1 spot in the ATP rankings.

Djokovic will face Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the quarters. Khachanov lost his first set against Lorenzo Sonego, but went on to win the match 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7), 6-1.

Karolina Muchova continued her decent run of form after beating Russia’s Elina Araratovna Avanesyan 6-4, 6-3. She will face Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in her quarterfinal match.

The 31-year-old Pavlyuchenkova knocked out No.28 seed Elise Mertens by winning the match 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.