This first Saturday of the fortnight will be placed under the sign of blue, white, red, with four French people who will follow one another from the morning (Jeanjean) to the night session (Gaston).
The stars Tsitsipas, Medvedev, Rublev or other Sinner will also be hard at work.
We'll also keep an eye on the clock to see how long it takes for the invincible Iga Swiatek to beat the Montenegrin Kovinic.
Léolia Jeanjean opens the ball
The surprise Léolia Jeanjean, who beat Pliskova (N.8) in the 2nd round, will be the first Habs on the court, from 11 a.m., in front of the public at Suzanne-Lenglen.
The world No. 227, who received an invitation, faces the Romanian Begu, who has become famous since Thursday for a racquet throw rebound on a young spectator who should have earned her a disqualification.
At 26, after a more than winding journey, Jeanjean finally finds herself where she dreamed of being when she was the most promising child of her generation.
Her trainer Thomas Delgado, who has skillfully recovered her for a few weeks, estimates her level at the top 50. Largely enough to compete with her opponent, number 63 at the WTA.
Only the second Top-100 opponent she has faced in her career...
And French wildcard Leolia Jeanjean eliminates Pliskova 6-2, 6-2 to reach Round 3 in Paris!
🇬🇧
🎥: @rolandgarros |
#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/O1Ov6uWMkG
— wta (@WTA) May 26, 2022
Cornet and Simon, the Central axis
The two veterans of the French delegation still in contention will follow one another on the Philippe-Chatrier court, respectively against the Chinese Zheng and the Croatian Marin Cilic (N.20).
A few months before an announced (Simon) and plausible (Cornet) retirement, the Blues have no other ambition than to let go, make the pleasure last and taste the fervor of a stadium that will grow entirely behind them.
The blue n ° 1 will try to win his 492nd victory on the circuit, the world n ° 158 his 501st.
How wonderful for Alize Cornet to get to play this match on this court, with this crowd.
At 6-0, 1-6, 6-3 win over Jelena Ostapenko.
pic.twitter.com/wsFeW5EvzN
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) May 26, 2022
Gaston by night
Again, the atmosphere promises to be warm and the young Danish Holger Rune will have to have strong nerves.
Hugo Gaston, hero of the 2020 edition and always there when it comes to shining in Paris, will indeed have the honors of the DJ, the laser show and the indescribable late-night atmosphere at the Porte from Auteuil.
In short, all the ingredients for great performance.
Because Rune, 21 and 40th in the world, is one of the most promising players of his generation.
The two players know each other well.
After spending time together at the Next Gen Masters last fall, they even lined up in doubles at the Marseille tournament in February.
Rune has not lost a single set since the start of the fortnight, against Denis Shapovalov (6-3, 6-1, 7-6) then Henri Laaksonen (6-2, 6-3, 6-3).
Another look at that one by @hugogaston7 👏#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/L2xdCwWpvh
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2022
A little test for Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev and Roland-Garros, it's I love you neither.
Even if the world number 2, quarter-finalist last year, has learned to endure (we are not going to say adore) the messy surface, he sometimes has trouble keeping his feet on the ground.
The Russian will therefore have to be wary of the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic (n° 28), trained for three and a half months by the former Argentine star David Nalbandian.
The Belgradois has not necessarily been spoiled by the draw in recent weeks (Djokovic in Belgrade, Nadal in Madrid…) but may cause problems for the winner of the last US Open.
The program
Court Philippe-Chatrier (from noon):
Swiatek (Pol/N.1) - Kovinic (Mon), Zheng (Chn) - CORNET, SIMON - Cilic (Cro/20).
Not before 8:45 p.m.: GASTON - Rune (Dan).
Court Suzanne-Lenglen (from 11 a.m.):
Begu (Rou) - JEANJEAN, Kecmanovic (Ser/28) - Medvedev (N.2), Badosa (Esp/3) - Kudermetova (N.29), Ymer (Sweden ) - Tsitsipas (Gre/4).
Court Simonne-Mathieu (from 11 a.m.):
McDonald (EU) - Sinner (Ita/11), Giorgi (Ita/28) - Sabalenka (N.7), Goffin (Bel) - Hurcacz (Pol/12), Keys (EU/22) - Rybakina (Kaz/16).