AtRoland-Garros,
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- Roland Garros Men's Singles
- Roland Garros Women's Singles
Much ado about nothing? The first women's night show was not the fiasco announced. Despite a fluctuating level of play, the show and the suspense were present this Sunday night. The organizers, however, had cold sweats after the canon start of the world number two. Quickly led 5 games to 0, the American Sloane Stephens, finalist Porte d'Auteuil in 2018, fortunately woke up and the duel took place. It was in 1 hour 41 minutes that the Belarusian had the last word with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 victory. All in a Philippe-Chatrier not far from being full. What (pleasantly surprised) Sablenka: "It was amazing. Originally I didn't think there would be so many people in the audience. A huge atmosphere. Lots of support. It was like it was a final. There was a huge crowd. I think everyone has benefited from it. It was unbelievable. It was a crazy game. I am very happy with this victory. She came back from 0-5. It really shows her warrior spirit. She wasn't going to let me win that easily. These words of satisfaction from the Australian Open winner were addressed to a WTA representative and not to journalists. As in the previous round, the tournament organization indicated that Sabalenka "will not give a press conference", an exercise normally mandatory, but that "an interview will be conducted".
The 25-year-old Belarusian had argued Friday that she felt "not safe" at a press conference after being pressed two days earlier with questions about her position on the invasion of Ukraine and her relations with the authoritarian president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. The political context will be explosive in the quarterfinals against the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and the unavoidable subject.
