Djokovic, Federer overcome challenges to reach last-16 round
Defeat opponents in four-set tests in third round of French Open.
Djokovic, the 2012 runner-up, stretched his career streak over Croatia’s 25th seed Marin Cilic to 9-0 after a topsy-turvy 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4 win. PHOTO: AFP
PARIS:
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer passed tough four-set tests to reach the French Open last 16 on Friday where they were joined by the Latvian Ernests Gulbis.
Second seed Djokovic, the 2012 runner-up, stretched his career streak over Croatia’s 25th seed Marin Cilic to 9-0 after a topsy-turvy 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4 win.
“Cilic is a tough player with plenty of strengths,” said Djokovic. “He is a great guy with lots of qualities. We’ve been friends for many years.”
Federer, the fourth seeded 2009 champion, needed more than three hours to record his fifth win in five meetings against Russian Dmitry Tursunov who twice needed treatment on a leg injury.
His 7-5, 6-7 (7/9), 6-2, 6-4 win also gave him a fourth round spot for the 12th time, beating the previous record of 11 set by Guillermo Vilas.
Federer, the 17 time major winner, next faces Gulbis who reached the last 16 for the first time since 2008.
“It was tough to lose the second set but nice to win the match,” said Federer.
“It was not a straightforward win. I knew Tursunov would try different things, take big cuts at the ball but I am pleased to have played solid.”
Gulbis, the 18th seed, won a fractious third round clash against 35-year-old Czech veteran Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 in the Court One bullring, firing 19 aces and 45 winners.
Tomljanovic makes history at French Open
Croatia’s Ajla Tomljanovic made history in the French Open on Friday by upsetting third seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-4, 6-4 in the third round.
The defeat meant that the tournament’s top three seeds had all been ousted inside six days, with top seed Serena Williams losing in the second round and second seed Li Na departing in the first.
It was the first Grand Slam in the Open era where the top three women seeds all failed to make the last 16.
Fourth seed Simona Halep of Romania is the top seeded player left in the draw, having reached the third round on Thursday.
“After seeing the first two seeds go out you kinda feel like — hey I can do that too,” said the Florida-based Tomljanovic. “I grew up with these girls that were doing that. “I went out out there and I really felt that I could win. It showed and that was how I won.
“I have a fourth round next and obviously happy, but I do not want to get too happy about it either.”
While newcomer Tomljanovic was making the headlines on centre court, veteran Australian Samantha Stosur was stealthily moving through the draw out on the Suzanne Lenglen court.
The 19th seed, a finalist at Roland Garros in 2010, pulled off an impressive 6-4, 6-4 win over Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia to reach the last 16.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2014.
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer passed tough four-set tests to reach the French Open last 16 on Friday where they were joined by the Latvian Ernests Gulbis.
Second seed Djokovic, the 2012 runner-up, stretched his career streak over Croatia’s 25th seed Marin Cilic to 9-0 after a topsy-turvy 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4 win.
“Cilic is a tough player with plenty of strengths,” said Djokovic. “He is a great guy with lots of qualities. We’ve been friends for many years.”
Federer, the fourth seeded 2009 champion, needed more than three hours to record his fifth win in five meetings against Russian Dmitry Tursunov who twice needed treatment on a leg injury.
His 7-5, 6-7 (7/9), 6-2, 6-4 win also gave him a fourth round spot for the 12th time, beating the previous record of 11 set by Guillermo Vilas.
Federer, the 17 time major winner, next faces Gulbis who reached the last 16 for the first time since 2008.
“It was tough to lose the second set but nice to win the match,” said Federer.
“It was not a straightforward win. I knew Tursunov would try different things, take big cuts at the ball but I am pleased to have played solid.”
Gulbis, the 18th seed, won a fractious third round clash against 35-year-old Czech veteran Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 in the Court One bullring, firing 19 aces and 45 winners.
Tomljanovic makes history at French Open
Croatia’s Ajla Tomljanovic made history in the French Open on Friday by upsetting third seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-4, 6-4 in the third round.
The defeat meant that the tournament’s top three seeds had all been ousted inside six days, with top seed Serena Williams losing in the second round and second seed Li Na departing in the first.
It was the first Grand Slam in the Open era where the top three women seeds all failed to make the last 16.
Fourth seed Simona Halep of Romania is the top seeded player left in the draw, having reached the third round on Thursday.
“After seeing the first two seeds go out you kinda feel like — hey I can do that too,” said the Florida-based Tomljanovic. “I grew up with these girls that were doing that. “I went out out there and I really felt that I could win. It showed and that was how I won.
“I have a fourth round next and obviously happy, but I do not want to get too happy about it either.”
While newcomer Tomljanovic was making the headlines on centre court, veteran Australian Samantha Stosur was stealthily moving through the draw out on the Suzanne Lenglen court.
The 19th seed, a finalist at Roland Garros in 2010, pulled off an impressive 6-4, 6-4 win over Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia to reach the last 16.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2014.