Reigning champion Iga Swiatek maintained her bid to turn out to be the primary lady to efficiently defend the French Open title in 16 years by cruising into the third spherical on Thursday. The world primary crushed American Claire Liu 6-4, 6-0 on Court Philippe Chatrier. Swiatek, who turned 22 on Wednesday, will face China’s Wang Xinyu on Saturday for a spot within the second week.

The Polish star might lose her world primary rating for the primary time in over a 12 months subsequent week if she fails to raise a fourth Grand Slam singles title.

Justine Henin was the final lady to win back-to-back Roland Garros titles when she lifted her third in a row and fourth in complete in 2007.

Sinner Dumped Out

Italian eighth seed Jannik Sinner missed two match factors earlier than being knocked out of the French Open within the second spherical on Thursday by German Daniel Altmaier after a dramatic five-set battle. Altmaier, the world quantity 79, twice staved off match factors late within the fourth set earlier than finally prevailing 6-7 (0/7), 7-6 (9/7), 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 after 5 hours and 26 minutes on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The pair additionally performed a five-set match within the US Open first spherical final 12 months, when Sinner was the victor. Altmaier will tackle Grigor Dimitrov for a spot within the second week.

The 24-year-old twice averted defeat when Sinner was serving for a last-32 place in set 4 earlier than profitable the third tie-break of the match.

Altmaier, who reached the fourth spherical in 2020, broke in recreation seven of the decider however then additionally did not serve it out. He instantly gave himself one other probability, although, and this time crept over the road as he secured a shock win on his fifth match level after an exciting ultimate recreation during which he additionally saved three break factors.