Iga Swiatek during her win over Claire Liu at the French Open in Paris on June 1, 2023. AFP
Iga Swiatek during her win over Claire Liu at the French Open in Paris on June 1, 2023. AFP
Iga Swiatek during her win over Claire Liu at the French Open in Paris on June 1, 2023. AFP
Iga Swiatek during her win over Claire Liu at the French Open in Paris on June 1, 2023. AFP

Title favourites Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina ease into French Open third round


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Two of the French Open title favourites are safely through to the third round after Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina both secured comfortable straight-set wins on Thursday.

World No 1 and defending champion Swiatek defeated American Claire Liu 6-4, 6-0, while fourth seed and Wimbledon winner Rybakina eased past Czech teenager Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-3.

Swiatek, who also won last year's US Open, made it back-to-back straight-set wins in Paris and sealed victory in style by winning every game in a dominant second-set display against her 102nd-ranked opponent. She will play China's Wang Xiyu next.

The Pole said: “It's not easy especially when we're constantly switching sides, one time playing with the wind and one time against, so I really needed to adjust that but I'm pretty happy that I managed to play the second set a little bit better and learn from the first set."

Rybakina, who also reached this year's Australian Open final, continued her improved form on clay following victory in last week's Rome Masters by making it eight wins on the trot.

It was also the world No 4's 30th win of the year with only Melbourne champion and world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka securing more with 31 victories.

“I cannot say that here it’s easy for me. It’s still every match getting better and better,” said Rybakina, who will now face Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain. “I think that, first of all, my first WTA win [in 201] was on clay, so from that point I thought I actually can play on clay.

“I think it depends where, the conditions, how is the weather, balls. Even here it's quite different from Rome, the tournament I just won.”

American 20th seed Madison Keys committed a whopping 74 unforced errors in her 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 loss to countrywoman Kayla Day on Court Simonne Mathieu.

Sixteen-year-old Russian qualifier Mirra Andreeva is also through after a 6-1, 6-2 win over home hope Diane Parry to become only the seventh player under the age of 17 to make the third round in Paris since 1993 – a group that includes the likes of Serena Williams and Martina Hingis.

In the men's draw, last year's runner-up Casper Ruud booked his place in the third round with a four-set win over battling Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri.

The Norwegian fourth seed was pushed hard by his 129th-ranked opponent but clinched a 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 success on Court Philippe Chatrier.

“It was a tough match,” said Ruud.

“I started well, got a break early and served well myself. That’s the beauty of best-of-five sets. In a normal match I would have won 6-3, 6-2, but here you have the chance to fight like he did.

“I’m very happy to come through and not having to play a fifth set was nice today. I have extra time to recover for my next match.”

Sixth seed Holger Rune was given a walkover into the next round after French veteran Gael Monfils was forced to withdraw following his grueling five-set victory over Sebastian Baez.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting

-      Don’t do it more than once in three days

-      Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days

-      Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode

-      Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well

-      Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days

-      Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates

-      Manage your sleep

-      People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting

-      Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert

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The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

Rating: 3.5/5

if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

Updated: June 01, 2023, 4:33 PM`