PARIS.- Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenkastayed out of the rain and advanced to the third round of the French Open on Thursday.
Second seed Sabalenka defeated Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima 6-2, 6-2 on the Philippe Chatrier Court, while rain showers once again affected the program of activities in Roland Garros.
Inclement weather, expected to last much of the day, halted play on all unroofed fields for the third consecutive day.
“Today is going to be a little complicated. So we keep our fingers crossed,” said tournament director Amélie Mauresmo.
Sabalenka, who reached the semifinals of the French Open last year, will face Paula Badosa, a close friend and her doubles partner in this edition of the Grand Slam that is played on clay.
“It is always difficult to face a friend,†Sabalenka said. “But we know how to separate what happens on the field and in life.†.
No. 4 Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, advanced by beating Arantxa Rus 6-3, 6-4.
Another favorite moved on:
In the men's bracket, fifth seed Daniil Medvedev also reached the third round after his rival, Miomir Kecmanovic, retired when trailing 6-1, 5-0. The Serbian decided not to continue in the match after 55 minutes of play.
Three days after beating Rafael Nadal, No. 4 Alexander Zverev beat David Goffin 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-2 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
“The crowd is always incredible in Paris, since we have the two new roofs it is even more electric,†Zverev said. “When you support me, it is even better.†.
Nadal, for his part, said goodbye a few days ago amid the uncertainty of whether or not he had played his last game at Roland Garros.
