The Japan Times - Swiatek advances at French Open as Djokovic faces Fonseca

Four-time women's champion Swiatek beat Magda Linette 6-4, 6-4 to begin play on Court Philippe Chatrier, with temperatures set to climb to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) later in the day.

Third seed Swiatek dug herself out of an early 2-0 hole against the 35th-ranked Linette, who won their most recent meeting at Miami in March.

Swiatek broke three times in the opening set to nose ahead, and then surged into a 4-1 lead in the second set.

She overcame a stumble as she tried to close it out, before sealing victory to set up an intriguing match-up with the in-form Marta Kostyuk.

"It was a good match. I played much better than Miami," said Swiatek, who moved to appoint Francisco Roig, a longtime coach of Rafael Nadal, in the wake of her loss to Linette two months ago.

Kostyuk, the 15th seed, continued her fine run with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic.

She is unbeaten in 15 matches on clay this season following titles in Madrid and Rouen.

"Marta is having a great season. She always had a game to play well," said Swiatek.

"So good for her. But I'm going to focus on myself, prepare tactically, as before any other match, and we'll see."

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva swept into the last 16 with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Czech 27th seed Marie Bouzkova.

The eighth-seeded Andreeva goes on to face either 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova or Jil Teichmann on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals.

Andreeva's best Grand Slam run came at Roland Garros in 2024 when she reached the semi-finals.

- Experience meets youth -

Later on Friday, Djokovic will resume his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Djokovic has been stuck on 24 majors since the 2023 US Open but may not get a better chance to add to that haul with Sinner out and Carlos Alcaraz absent in Paris.

Standing in his way in the third round is Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca, the highly-rated 19-year-old who is itching to make his Grand Slam breakthrough.

"Fonseca has been praised so much in the last couple of years," said Djokovic, who made his Roland Garros debut in 2005, a year before Fonseca was born.

"I think his potential and quality as a tennis player is obvious, no doubt about it. He's got big Brazilian support anywhere he goes. I think he's a big-stage player. He really loves the occasion."

The 39-year-old Djokovic has been steady but not spectacular in his opening two rounds, dropping a set in both matches, as he launches his latest assault on a fourth French Open crown.

Fonseca, who came from two sets behind to overcome Croatian youngster Dino Prizmic in round two, is eager the make the most of his eagerly-awaited clash with Djokovic.

"I always talk to my coach, like, I want to be in Novak's draw, because I know... it (his career) is not going to last too much (longer)," said Fonseca, aiming to reach the fourth round of a major for the first time.

"I just want to have this experience in my life. I think I'm just going to enjoy it. I mean, being in Roland Garros, third round, for me it's just a dream.

"I'm going to enjoy every moment playing against an idol, the GOAT of the sport.

"He inspired me. He inspired the next generation and the generation before."

Sinner's departure could also clear the way for Alexander Zverev, who at 29 has been one of the most consistent performers on tour over the past decade but is still chasing an elusive Grand Slam.

The second seed plays Frenchman Quentin Halys in the night session.

"I'm happy where I am, I'm feeling confident in my game," Zverev said after dispatching an off-colour Tomas Machac in his previous match.

M.Saito--JT