“The Criminals” – A young couple in Turkey are looking to have some privacy but are turned away from several hotels because they don’t have a marriage certificate. “Censor of Dreams” – After The Censor has spent repeated nights helping to shape Yoko’s memories, The Censor and his team have one night where nothing goes how it was planned. It is the first time since Wimbledon in 2011 that all top 12 men's seeds have reached the third round at a major.“Ala Kachuu – Take and Run” – A woman from Kyrgyzstan who is kidnapped and forced to marry desires to be free. The German Olympic champion meets Brandon Nakashima of the US who is enjoying his best Grand Slam run on his Roland Garros main-draw debut. Mentally I'm strong, as well."Īlexander Zverev, the third seed and 2021 semi-finalist, was also staring at defeat in the second round against Sebastian Baez, saving a match point on serve at 4-5 in the final set after fighting back from two sets down. I feel comfortable playing on the big stadium, big matches, playing in a Grand Slam. "I'm still young, but I would say pretty experienced player now. "You have to have a good goal, good dreams. "I believe in myself, and of course I work hard every day," said the 19-year-old Alcaraz. Last year's US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez beat Olympic champion Belinda Bencic 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, while Aliaksandra Sasnovich defeated three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber 6-4, 7-6 (7/5).Ĭoco Gauff, the youngest player left in the French Open, made the last 16 with a straight-sets win over Kaia Kanepi, the oldest woman in the tournament at 36.Īfter saving a match point in a thrilling five-setter against countryman Albert Ramos-Vinolas, Spanish teenage star Alcaraz goes up against Sebastian Korda, the US 27th seed who won their meeting in Monte Carlo last month. "I think it was my best match of the tournament so far for two-and-a-half sets, so I'm very happy with that."Īmanda Anisimova, the 27th seed and a 2019 semi-finalist, advanced to the last 16 as injury-plagued Karolina Muchova retired down 6-7 (7/9), 6-2, 3-0 after falling and twisting her ankle midway through the second set. "You always feel a little bit the nerves to finish the match, so I'm happy to be through in straight sets," said Nadal, who plays Canadian ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the last eight. The Spaniard had a break point for 5-0 in the third set, but Van de Zandschulp refused to roll over, winning four of the next five games before Nadal put away his second match point, having saved a break point in between the two. "I think I played a good match against a good player. He has now reached at least the fourth round in 17 of 18 visits to Roland Garros, with the exception of 2016 when he withdrew in the third round with a wrist injury. Nadal, the 21-time major champion, improved his record at Roland Garros to 108-3 after seeing off 2021 US Open quarter-finalist Van de Zandschulp.
Next up for Djokovic, who was also French Open champion in 2016, is a match-up with Argentina's Diego Schwartzman, the 15th seed. The 35-year-old Serb is aiming to become the oldest men's singles champion in Paris in the Open era as he chases a record-equalling 21st Grand Slam title. It's not always possible to do it, but today it was very good," said Djokovic. "I'm always very motivated when I get on the court, with the desire to produce my best level each time.
World number one Djokovic strolled to a 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 win over Slovenia's Aljaz Bedene and Nadal eased past Dutch 26th seed Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Reigning champion Djokovic and 13-time winner Nadal are on course to meet in the quarter-finals, with the Spaniard seeded outside the top four at Roland Garros for just the second time. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal closed in Friday on a blockbuster clash at the French Open as both reached the last 16, while Carlos Alcaraz prepared to face the only man to beat him on clay this year.