Angelique Kerber has already made it to Court 1, Julia Görges demands Serena Williams, two German men also want to reach the round of 16.
Thiem-Zverev-Watch: Put your legs up. This may be the motto for the hobby athlete after nerve- and strength-sapping matches. The professional athlete as such prefers active recreation, even though, like Alexander Zverev, he has offered ten sets of high-performance tennis in the past three days. As long as these matches are won, everything is fine. Tell Zverev.
Dominic Thiem also won and made life difficult for himself in the second set. Thiem had to answer one or two questions about his Italian opponent at the press conference, but also an armada of Japanese journalists marched into interview room one. Praise from Nishikori, presented by a Japanese media representative. Praise back from Thiem to Nishikori. Which, by the way, he really wants to overcome. Whoever came after that is Dominic Thiem latte.
Match of the day: Julia Görges (GER/11) – Serena Williams (USA). A great task for Jule in the third match after 11.00 a.m. on Suzanne Lenglen, who has one thing above Serena’s previous opponents: She can play tennis better than Kristyna Pliskova and Ashleigh Barty. Eight years ago, the two of them met here in Roland Garros, other times. Görges has everything that could stop Serena: Serve, stop, don’t worry. Serena, on the other hand, offers: the championship gene. And the cat suit.
Upset Alert of the day (balance: three correct tips, two wrong, one is pending): Maria Sharapova (RUS/28) vs. Karolina Pliskova (CZE/6), second match on Chatrier. Good: A double winner of the French Open will be be beating the lady who last year’s semi-final in Paris, her best result to date.
The German glasses: Angelique Kerber (GER/12) v Kiki Bertens (NED), third match on Court 1. Or ever. The two-time major winner is very satisfied with her current outfit. Also with their play, which is almost equally important. Bertens can be satisfied with the result against Kerber in Roland Garros: a match (2016), a victory for the Dutch woman.
Andrea Petkovic has to deal with the number one of the tournament, Simona Halep is waiting (third match on court 18). Mischa Zverev is going to play Kevin Anderson (RSA) in the second match on Court 1 as an outsider, while Maximilian Marterer can hope for his first Grand Slam round of 16 against Jürgen Zopp (EST). They play the second match in 7th place.
Staff member of the previous day: The ball boy who only had his eyes on the game utensil. And unfortunately not Damir Dzumhur. Fortunately, the collision at the beginning of the third movement only interrupted the boy’s work. Even if it had to be replaced at short notice.
Here are the most important matches of Saturday in Paris