French Open LIVE: Scores and latest updates from Roland Garros after Novak Djokovic goes through

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz remain on a collision course at the French Open after both advancing to the third round at Roland Garros.

Djokovic kept his focus on the court amid his latest controversy as he saw off Marton Fucsovics in the second round of the French Open, while a lost set was not enough to take the smile off Alcaraz’s face as he defeated Taro Daniel to move through.

Aryna Sabalenka, another player caught up in controversy after her win over Ukraine’s Mara Kostyuk, resumed her French Open bid with a straight-sets win but France’s great home hope, Caroline Garcia, was bundled out of Roland Garros in the second round after a dramatic encounter with Russian Anna Blinkova.

Cameron Norrie, the last British player in the draw, knocked out a French opponent for the second consecutive round in a row as he defeated home favourite Lucas Pouille in straight sets.

Follow live scores and updates from the French Open below:

French Open latest scores and updates

• Where can I watch the French Open 2023?

• Novak Djokovic earns straight-set victory over Marton Fucsovics amid latest controversy

• Carlos Alcaraz defeats Taro Daniel in four sets to reach third round

• Cameron Norrie into third round with straight sets win

French Open order of play

08:15 , Jamie Braidwood

The French Open continues on Thursday and women’s No1 seed Iga Swiatek returns to action for her second-round tie.

Wednesday saw Britain’s Cameron Norrie fire his way through to the third round in straight sets, with Novak Djokovic following him through later on.

But there was an upset for the home fans in the women’s singles as Caroline Garcia was knocked out by unseeded Anna Blinkova, a Russian-born athlete playing under no flag at Roland Garros.

Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula and Elina Svitolina were among the others to make it through to the third round in the women’s draw, with Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas doing likewise in the men’s.

Here’s the order of play for day five in Paris.

French Open order of play and schedule on Day 5 including Iga Swiatek

French Open highlights: Cameron Norrie downs Lucas Pouille

07:45 , Jamie Braidwood

French Open highlights: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Taro Daniel in four sets

07:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Gael Monfils out of Roland Garros with wrist injury

07:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Sixth seed Holger Rune was given free passage through to the third round after Gael Monfils called a press conference late on Wednesday evening to announce he was pulling out of their clash scheduled for the night session on Thursday because of a wrist injury.

The 36-year-old played the match of the tournament so far on Tuesday night, fighting off cramp to defeat Sebastian Baez in five sets, and he said: “I’m not really sure what I feel, but it’s more than being disappointed. How many Roland Garroses will I play?”

French Open highlights: Novak Djokovic through in straight sets

07:13 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic driven by ‘drama’ as Kosovo message fall-out continues

07:12 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic admitted he is fuelled by drama as the fall-out continued from his controversial message about Kosovo.

He told Serbian media he would do it again but, after beating Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 7-6 (2) 6-0 6-3 in the second round, he opted just for a signature and smiley face.

At his post-match press conference, Djokovic said: “I would say it again, but I don’t need to because you have my quotes if you want to reflect on that.

“Of course I’m aware that a lot of people would disagree, but it is what it is. It’s something that I stand for. So that’s all. Drama-free grand slam, I don’t think it can happen for me. I guess that drives me, as well.”

Novak Djokovic earns straight-set victory over Marton Fucsovics amid latest controversy

07:11 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic kept his focus on the court amid his latest controversy as he saw off Marton Fucsovics in the second round of the French Open.

The French sports minister weighed into the continued fall-out over Djokovic’s decision to write “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia” on the camera after his first-round victory at Roland Garros.

Speaking to TV station France 2, Amelie Oudea-Castera said the message amid violence in the north of the country, which is not recognised as independent by Serbia, was not appropriate and she warned Djokovic not to repeat the action.

He told Serbian media he would do it again but, after the 7-6 (2) 6-0 6-3 victory over Fucsovics, he opted just for a signature and smiley face.

Things were not straightforward on the court during an 87-minute first set when, unsettled by breezy conditions and an in-form opponent, Djokovic was pushed hard.

He double-faulted serving for the set and was pushed to a tie-break but, having overcome that hurdle, the third seed was almost flawless.

By Eleanor Crooks

Djokovic earns straight-set victory over Fucsovics amid latest controversy

French Open latest

Wednesday 31 May 2023 22:00 , Karl Matchett

Stefanos Tsitsipas enjoyed an incident-free path into the third round of the French Open with a win over Roberto Carballes Baena on Wednesday but all eyes will be on Novak Djokovoic later as a political row sparked by the two-times champion intensified.

Tsitsipas is chasing his first Grand Slam title and made a sluggish start to his campaign against Jiri Vesely but the fifth seed looked back to his best against Carballes Baena, as he came through a mid-match test to beat the Spaniard 6-3 7-6(4) 6-2.

Anna Blinkova later dashed French hopes with a stunning 4-6 6-3 7-5 win over fifth seed Caroline Garcia, finally wrapping up the thrilling contest on her ninth matchpoint.

The fallout of Djokovic’s statement earlier this week that “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia” continued as the Kosovo Olympic authorities asked the International Olympic Committee to open disciplinary proceedings against the world number three.

Djokovic wrote the message on a camera lens after his first-round win on Monday, the same day that some 30 NATO peacekeeping troops were hurt in clashes with Serb protesters in the town of Zvecan - where the 22-times major champion’s father grew up.

Serbian authorities said 52 protesters were also wounded.

“Djokovic has yet again promoted the Serbian nationalists’ propaganda and used the sport platform to do so,” said Ismet Krasniqi, the president of Kosovo’s Olympic Committee.

“The further post-match statements made by such a public figure without any feeling of remorse directly result in raising the level of tension and violence between the two countries.”

France’s Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said that the message sent by Djokovic, who takes on Marton Fucsovics later in the evening, was “not appropriate” and should not happen again.

Three-times quarter-finalist Elina Svitolina took a leaf out of her husband Gael Monfils’ playbook following the local hero’s epic win over Sebastian Baez a day earlier to script her own comeback and down Australian Storm Hunter 2-6 6-3 6-1.

She then waded into the debate around Djokovic and said the world number three should have the right to express his opinion.

“If you stand for something, you think that this is the way, you should say,” Svitolina said.

“If you’re with a friend sitting, talking, you’re going to say your opinion, he is going to say his opinion. So why not?”

Svitolina, who has called for a ban on Russian and Belarusian tennis players over Moscow’s 2022 invasion of her country, admitted she did not know the politics of Serbia.

“But coming back to the politics in sports, as I think all Ukrainians mention, it’s connected very much because we are all people. We all know the politics of our own country a bit, the way you hear something here, something there,” Svitolina said.

“For me it’s just part of human life, politics, sports, you know, different things.”

Former champion Jelena Ostapenko had not made second week at Roland Garros in her last five appearances and the 2017 winner’s disappointing run continued as unseeded American Peyton Stearns prevailed 6-3 1-6 6-2 in their second-round clash.

The feisty Latvian’s exit along with 2021 champion Barbora Krejcikova’s defeat by Lesia Tsurenko a day earlier means holder Iga Swiatek is the only remaining winner of the Suzanne Lenglen Cup remaining in the women’s draw.

World number three Jessica Pegula, who is hoping to hoist her maiden Grand Slam trophy on the Parisian clay, advanced into the third round after her ailing Italian opponent Camila Giorgi retired after losing the opening set 6-2.

French Open latest

Wednesday 31 May 2023 21:30 , Karl Matchett

Russian ninth seed Daria Kasatkina produced an early candidate for shot of the tournament during a classy 6-3 6-4 defeat of former runner-up Marketa Vondrousova to sweep into the third round of the French Open on Wednesday.

Kasatkina was coming under pressure from the left-handed Czech at 2-3 down in the second set and 30-30 and looked about to go break point down as she chased back to retrieve a superb lob volley by Vondrousova.

But the 26-year-old conjured a magical between the legs shot that flashed by a stunned opponent who had advanced to the net.

She duly held serve with a forehand winner but Vondrousova, who reached the final in 2019 when she lost to Ash Barty, stuck to her task and had a point to lead 5-3 before Kasatkina hit back to reel off the last three games.

Kasatkina lost to Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year and remains one of the most inventive players on the women’s circuit and is gearing up for another deep run.

Asked on court about her ‘tweener’ Kasatkina said it was nothing to do with luck.

“When I was a kid I was at home practising this shot against the wall, hitting the wall, lobbing myself and playing the tweener all the time,” she said.

“Maybe two hours a day, so it’s not luck. I practised this shot a lot and finally it paid off.”

Kasatkina will play 69th-ranked American Peyton Stearns in the next round.

French Open latest

Wednesday 31 May 2023 21:00 , Karl Matchett

Novak Djokovic’s statement at the French Open that “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia” did not violate any rules because the Grand Slam rulebook does not ban political statements, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Wednesday.

The world number three wrote the message on a camera lens after his first-round victory on Monday, the same day that 30 NATO peacekeeping troops were hurt in clashes with Serb protesters in the Kosovo town of Zvecan - where Djokovic’s father grew up.

Kosovo’s tennis federation on Tuesday accused Djokovic of aggravating an already tense situation, comments echoed by the Kosovo Olympic Committee earlier on Wednesday.

The ITF, the governing body of world tennis, said it had received and acknowledged a letter from the Kosovo tennis federation and had forwarded it to “the relevant Grand Slam authority”.

“Rules for player conduct at a Grand Slam event are governed by the Grand Slam rulebook, administered by the relevant organiser and regulator. There is no provision in this that prohibits political statements,” an ITF spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

French Open latest

Wednesday 31 May 2023 20:40 , Karl Matchett

World number two Aryna Sabalenka fought off a determined challenge from fellow Belarusian Iryna Shymanovich on Wednesday to move into the French Open third round with a 7-5 6-2 victory as she eyes the world number one spot.

The 25-year-old, who will take over top spot from Poland’s Iga Swiatek with victory at the Paris Grand Slam, did not have an easy start with qualifier Shymanovich, ranked 214th, matching her power with every groundstroke.

Shymanovich started moving her opponent around, playing the angles and forcing her to the net with audacious drop shots as she tried to stop Sabalenka imposing her own rhythm on the match.

The second seed wasted two set points at 6-5 but bagged the set on her third opportunity, chasing down yet another drop shot from her opponent.

She took a two-game lead at the start of the second set but had to fight tooth and nail for every single point before sealing victory on her second match point.

French Open 2023

Wednesday 31 May 2023 20:20 , Karl Matchett

Carlos Alcaraz came through a tricky early test at the French Open with flying colours, as the world number one sealed a 6-1 3-6 6-1 6-2 victory over Japan’s Taro Daniel on Wednesday to reach the third round.

Alcaraz enjoyed a dominant opening win over Flavio Cobolli in his first match as the top seed in a Grand Slam and the 20-year-old made another blistering start against Daniel to ease through the first set on the back of two breaks.

Daniel pounced early in the next to grab a 3-0 lead before Alcaraz got on the board. He continued to batter the suddenly error-prone Spaniard with some relentless hitting from the baseline before levelling the contest.

But the Japanese player, who is ranked 112, was quickly on the back foot again as Alcaraz regained focus to break early and close out the third set in style conceding only one game late on.

With normal service having resumed, Alcaraz closed out the match on serve to book an encounter with Canadian 26th seed Denis Shapovalov.

Kosovo Tennis Federation to call for Novak Djokovic fine over on-camera message

Wednesday 31 May 2023 20:00 , Karl Matchett

The Kosovo Tennis Federation is preparing an official complaint about Novak Djokovic’s on-camera message and will call for the 22-time grand slam champion to be fined.

After his first-round victory at the French Open on Monday, Djokovic wrote on the camera lens: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence.”

Kosovo declared independence in 2008 but Serbia has never recognised that and violence broke out in the north of the country over the weekend after ethnic Albanian mayors were installed in Serbian-dominated areas, with NATO peacekeepers among those injured.

Kosovo Tennis Federation to call for Novak Djokovic fine over on-camera message

Russian 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva feels Andy Murray may be her good luck charm

Wednesday 31 May 2023 19:40 , Karl Matchett

Sixteen-year-old Mirra Andreeva believes Andy Murray is her lucky charm after she claimed her first senior grand slam victory at the French Open.

The Russian, who only celebrated her birthday last month, has been making rapid strides in the women’s game and brushed aside experienced American Alison Riske-Amritraj 6-2 6-1 at Roland Garros.

That followed a breakthrough week at the Madrid Open when Andreeva reached the fourth round and revealed herself to be a big fan of Murray.

Russian 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva feels Andy Murray may be her good luck charm

French Open 2023 prize money: How much will players earn round-by-round?

Wednesday 31 May 2023 19:20 , Karl Matchett

There will be a new men’s champion at the French Open this year with 14-time singles winner Rafael Nadal absent from Roland Garros for the first time since 2005.

Nadal triumphed on the Paris clay last June to become the oldest French Open champion in history, but he has been sidelined this year by a hip injury.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are the top contenders to take Nadal’s title - while in the women’s singles Iga Swiatek is aiming to complete a hat-trick of French Opens as she begins the defence of her crown.

Swiatek has been handed a difficult draw, however, with Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina also among the favourites in Paris. But how much is this year’s French Open prize money? And how does it change round-by-round? Here’s everything you need to know.

French Open 2023 prize money: How much will players earn round-by-round?

Cameron Norrie surges into French Open third round with straight-sets win

Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:56 , Karl Matchett

Cameron Norrie reached the third round of the French Open for the third year in a row with a comfortable win over home hope Lucas Pouille.

Ranked down at 675 after injury and personal problems, Pouille was bidding to make the last 32 at a slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2019, but Norrie was too strong in a 6-1 6-3 6-3 victory.

The 14th seed wore strapping under his left knee and will no doubt be relieved to have avoided the drama of his raucous five-set duel with another Frenchman, Benoit Paire, in the first round.

The Suzanne Lenglen crowd were not as much of a factor this time, although there was another moment of umpiring controversy, this time in Norrie’s favour, in the third set.

Pouille was convinced Norrie, who was bizarrely penalised for a hindrance shout against Paire, had not got to a ball before it bounced twice but the British player did not stop play and umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore sided with him.

Pouille complained – and was shown to be correct by TV replays – amid booing from the crowd, and the French player lost four games in a row to move to the brink of defeat.

Full report:

Norrie surges into French Open third round with straight-sets win

Home favourite Caroline Garcia suffers shock second-round exit at French Open

Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:37 , Mike Jones

France’s great home hope, Caroline Garcia, was bundled out of Roland Garros in the second round after a dramatic encounter with Russian Anna Blinkova.

As the fifth seed, Garcia is by a distance the top-ranked French player in either the men’s or women’s singles but the country’s wait for a new grand slam champion goes on.

Blinkova, ranked 56, had never beaten a top-five player before but battled back from a set down to triumph 4-6 6-3 7-5, finally taking her ninth match point.

Nerves were clearly affecting the 24-year-old, who served for the match twice, while the partisan Philippe Chatrier crowd were willing Garcia on, but Blinkova did not let the opportunity for the biggest win of her life slip away.

Home favourite Caroline Garcia suffers shock second-round exit at French Open

Cameron Norrie defeats Lucas Pouille 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 to reach third round

Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:29 , Mike Jones

Cameron Norrie defeats Lucas Pouille 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 to reach third round

Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:25 , Mike Jones

Pouille just can’t get past Norrie and the Brit moves into the third round. It was a difficult end to the match for Norrie but he got over the line and moves into the next round.

Lucas Pouille 1-6, 3-6, 3-5 Cameron Norrie

Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:23 , Mike Jones

Pouille is not letting this match go. Norrie gets to advantage but some seriously powerful shots from the Frenchman draws the game back to deuce before Pouille sets up break point.

The crowd is fully behind him as well. This isn’t easy for Norrie but he holds his nerve and forces Pouille into the net to take the game back to deuce.

Lucas Pouille 1-6, 3-6, 3-5 Cameron Norrie

Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:16 , Mike Jones

Norrie’s going to have to wait a bit longer. Lucas Pouille fights back to break the Brit and reignite the joy that had seeped out of the watching crowd.

The Frenchman takes the next game too with a hold of serve and there may be a twist in this tale yet if Norrie fails to win the next game.

Lucas Pouille 1-6, 3-6, 1-5 Cameron Norrie

Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:10 , Mike Jones

Norrie will serve for the match. This second round match has only been going for an hour and a half but Norrie’s efficiency and gusto has put him on the verge of a fine victory.

Lucas Pouille 1-6, 3-6, 1-3 Cameron Norrie

Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:03 , Mike Jones

Over on the Court Suzanne Lenglen, Britain’s Cameron Norrie is marching towards victory despite a hostile atmosphere backing the homegrown talent of Lucas Pouille.

Norrie has just broken serve in the third set.

Carlos Alcaraz defeats Taro Daniel 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 to reach French Open third round

Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:01 , Mike Jones

Carlos Alcaraz defeats Taro Daniel 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 to reach French Open third round

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:54 , Mike Jones

Carlos Alcaraz advances at Roland Garros! He sees off the stern competitiveness of Taro Daniel to win in four sets. It’s a good run out for the No. 1 seed who will be looking to impress and reach the latter stages of the tournament.

Taro Daniel receives a nice round of applause from the crowd as he leaves the court.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 5-2 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:48 , Mike Jones

Alcaraz breaks Daniel’s resistance to take a fourth consecutive game and is now on the verge of a second round victory. The No. 1 seed will serve to win the match.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 4-2 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:47 , Mike Jones

There’s a flicker of a fightback from Taro Daniel, mainly due to Alcaraz’s misplaced strokes, as the 30-year-old forces the next game to deuce.

Alcaraz composes himself though and notches up the next couple of points to claim the game and a lead of two in the fourth set.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 3-2 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:43 , Mike Jones

A break for Alcaraz! The Spaniard takes control of the fourth set and edges ahead of Daniel, can he hold serve and complete the break in the next game?

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 2-2 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:38 , Mike Jones

Alcaraz responds with a confident and competent service game of his own to draw level at 2-2 in the fourth set. The next break of serve may prove crucial to the outcome of this one.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 1-2 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:33 , Mike Jones

A hold of serve for Taro Daniel and he does so without losing a point, nor breaking a sweat. After the third set there was a danger that Carlos Alcaraz could run away with this match but Daniel is sticking in there brilliantly and doing his best to stay one step ahead.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 1-1 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:29 , Mike Jones

After taking the opening game Alcaraz makes a couple of unforced errors, first missing the open court at 15-15 then smoking a backhand into the net to give Daniel a couple of break points.

Daniel only needs one! He breaks back immediately and the fourth set is well and truly alive.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 0-0 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:25 , Mike Jones

Carlos Alcaraz is really ticking now. Taro Daniel gets the fourth set started with his first service game but can’t keep up with the power and trickery of the No.1 seed.

A passing winner sends the Spaniard 0-30 up before an overhit forehand gives Daniel his first point. 15-30.

Home favourite Caroline Garcia suffers shock second-round exit at Roland Garros

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

France’s great home hope, Caroline Garcia, was bundled out of Roland Garros in the second round after a dramatic encounter with Russian Anna Blinkova.

As the fifth seed, Garcia is by a distance the top-ranked French player in either the men’s or women’s singles but the country’s wait for a new grand slam champion goes on.

Blinkova, ranked 56, had never beaten a top-five player before but battled back from a set down to triumph 4-6 6-3 7-5, finally taking her ninth match point.

Home favourite Caroline Garcia suffers shock second-round exit at Roland Garros

Carlos Alcaraz wins third set against Taro Daniel (6-1, 3-6, 6-1)

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Seemingly over that second set fretting, Carlos Alcaraz takes the third in half-an-hour.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 5-1 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A glimmer of an opportunity for Daniel? Alcaraz reaches for a forehand winner and casts it out slightly too far to the right. 0-15.

He’ll have a second serve to attack, too. It’s a clever return, blocked up the line, with Alcaraz behind in the point. An exchange at the net...out? Yes, it seems, Daniel’s volley an inch long. He’d have loved that to drop in.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 5-1 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But like an attentive bakery assistant, Taro Daniel scrambles well to save the bagel.

Carlos Alcaraz will serve for the set.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 5-0 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

What a point! That’s absurdly good tennis, Alcaraz beaten with a low slice but producing an audacious between-the-legs lob, answered by Taro Daniel with a tweener of his own. Alcaraz has the calm to sidle up to the net and best the Japanese with a drop shot.

And it’s set point as Daniel guides a simple volleyed winner wide...

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 5-0 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scintillating stuff from the Spaniard. It’s all clicking now, Alcaraz covering every inch of the court with those effortless long strides, the exuberance of youth apparent in every stroke but each one played so smartly. You fear that Taro Daniel’s second set steal may only have served as a little extra motivation, a stooping backhand winner sealing a 5-0 lead.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 3-0 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And just like that it’s 3-0, with Carlos Alcaraz beginning to show his range again, moving in on a serve and volley to set up three game points. A hold to love.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 2-0 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And a moment or two to himself between sets appears to have done Carlos Alcaraz a load of good - he grinds out four points in Taro Daniel’s service game and the locomotive appears to be back on the rails.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 1-0 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Much more like it from the top seed in his first service game of the third, though Daniel does nick a point off him with a sharp volley at the net.

Cameron Norrie off to a good start on Suzanne-Lenglen

Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There’s plenty of noise on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, where Britain’s last man standing, 14th seed Cameron Norrie, again must confront a passionate home crowd. France’s Lucas Pouille hasn’t started particularly well, though, conceding the first game quickly and then being broken by Norrie in the second.

Taro Daniel hits back against Carlos Alcaraz

Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Consider the world number one very much rattled. It’s a set apiecee on Chatrier, with Taro Daniel taking advantage of Carlos Alcaraz’s sloppiness to take the second 6-3.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 2-5 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One more game added to each player’s tally as Taro Daniel moves to within a game of the second set.

Bad news for Stan stans - things are unravelling swiftly for Wawrinka, with Thanasi Kokkinakis working those weary legs right around Court Simonne-Mathieu. It’s 4-0 to the Australian in the decider.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 1-4 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Those dull edges continue to hamper Carlos Alcaraz, though, with Taro Daniel happy largely to wait for an error. The Spaniard wears a slightly confused look as he cedes another game.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 1-3 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Back to basics, then, for Alcaraz, and a hold to love. He’s not happy with his equipment, though, switching out the striking yellow Babolat for another stored deep in the matching bag.

Aryna Sabalenka has finished things off against Iryna Symanovich, taking out her fellow Belarusian in straight sets. Either Magdalena Fręch or Kamilla Rakhimova will set up a date with the Australian Open winner when they meet a little later on Court 13.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 0-3 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Carlos Alcaraz seems to just be trying to play too much like the front-runner, crashing blows waywardly on both sides and trying to hit almost everything as a winner. A missed volley and drop shot won’t please the aesthetes, either, and the crowd just seems to be getting behind Daniel to perturb the top seed further.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 0-2 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Daniel breaks! Well that rather came out of nowhere, Alcaraz sleepwalking to 15-40 and then lazily driving a forehand winner a foot too low. It ends up in the net’s embrace as a contented Daniel trots back for a towel.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 0-1 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steady from Taro Daniel, surviving a couple of flashing forehands to take the first game of the second set.

They’re off to a decider on Court Simonne-Mathieu: Stan Wawrinka will again have to go the distance as he pips Thanasi Kokkinakis in a fourth set tie-break to stay in the match.

Aryna Sabalenka has broken Iryna Symanovich - the second seed is 4-1 and a set up.

Carlos Alcaraz secures first set

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A cry of frustration from Taro Daniel as he miscues a forehand on his way to dropping the first set. It’s all been to script so far - 31 minutes and nary even a slight scare as Carlos Alcaraz takes it 6-1 with a serve and drop volley.

Carlos Alcaraz 5-1 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A Taro Daniel backhand clips the net cord and spins up into the tramlines. Alcaraz is moving up through the gears, breaking again.

Carlos Alcaraz 4-1 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

John McEnroe coos approvingly on commentary as Carlos Alcaraz releases a violent first serve on his way to another hold.

Carlos Alcaraz 3-1 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The ball really does come off Carlos Alcaraz’s racquet differently to almost any player I’ve seen. Just as Taro Daniel seems certain to seal his first game of the match, the Spaniard hits with three forehand jabs of extraordinary velocity, with a still reeling Daniel then double faulting.

A drop shot does eventually allow Daniel to get on the board.

Aryna Sabalenka, meanwhile, has won the first set 7-5 against compatriot Iryna Shymanovich, breaking in the 12th game. Solid enough from the second seed against a player who was ahead of her at junior level, but is only now making her Grand Slam singles debut.

Carlos Alcaraz 3-0 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The crowd cheer as Taro Daniel lands a tweener, but it proves a little futile as Carlos Alcaraz savagely puts it away with a topspin forehand.

More evidence of the bother the wind is causing, both players wiping at their facial cavities as the clay continue to be whipped around Philippe-Chatrier. It’s not particularly favourable conditions out there, hot, dry, and blowy, and a Alcaraz double fault gives Daniel a break point chance.

A little bit meek. Alcaraz seems to slip as he strikes a forehand but Daniel is too deep to properly attack and finds the net with an unconvincing groundstroke reply. Alcaraz does not allow another opportunity.

Carlos Alcaraz 2-0 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The wind on Philippe-Chatrier continues to cause a few problems, Taro Daniel softly conceding his first service point after an Alcaraz shot drifts on the breeze.

Daniel wins his first point as the Spaniard puts too much mustard on a forehand return, but it isn’t long before Alcaraz takes the second of two break points with a chopped volley.

Carlos Alcaraz 1-0 Taro Daniel

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Carlos Alcaraz has first crack with the Wilsons, and takes the first point, pounding in a simple overhead smash after working Taro Daniel out of the rally.

Oof, that’s good. Alcaraz opens his chest up at just the right time to guide a forehand winner up the line with Daniel wrong-footed. A hold to love.

Carlos Alcaraz is out on Philippe-Chatrier

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Next up on the primary show court is Carlos Alcaraz, so impressive in round one. He faces Taro Daniel, a man having his best year yet on tour. Can he challenge the top seed? Their knocking up as the crowd begins to filter back in from a much-needed break at the end of that Caroline Garcia epic.

Across on Suzanne-Lenglen, Aryna Sabalenka is taking on Iryna Shymanovich in a battle of Belarusians - the second seed has been broken back and the pair are locked together at 4-4 in the first set.

In other action...

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wow. Such an engrossing contest at the end there. Was that the right call from Garcia to come in at deuce with Blinkova struggling so much to put the match away? The 29-year-old has plenty to reflect on.

While we’ve been focussed on another early round shock, action has been continuing elsewhere. Thanasi Kokkinakis is now two sets to one in front of Stan Wawrinka, who is perhaps starting to fade a little after his first round exertions, while Lorenzo Sonego has disposed of Ugo Humbert in straight sets.

Through to Round Three is Daria Kasatkina, aided by this audacious piece of improvisation in a 6-3, 6-4 win against Markéta Vondroušová. Peyton Stearns, conqueror of Jelena Ostapenko this morning, will be next up for the ninth seed.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 5-7 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Three sets and nearly three hours - a real battle of endurance for the Russian, who has set up a rather tasty third round meeting with outspoken Ukrainian Elina Svitolina. Beyond the geopolitics, that should be a corking match.

Caroline Garcia makes the swiftest of exits from Court Philippe-Chatrier. A real disappointment for the fifth seed, who would have so hoped for a deep run on home soil. It’s a third consecutive second round Roland-Garros exit for the 29-year-old, who just can’t quite seem to develop the real consistency she needs to take that next Grand Slam step.

Anna Blinkova stuns fifth seed Caroline Garcia

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another seed falls! France’s Caroline Garcia is out! Court Philippe-Chatrier is stunned as their top home contender exits. An oustanding performance from Anna Blinkova, securing the biggest win of her career so far. It was tense, tight, and terrifyingly hard-hitting at the end, but the Russian takes match point number nine with a thumping serve.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 5-6 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Garcia halts...out! A late, late cry from the line judge but there’s an inch of untouched clay between the ball’s mark and the white line.

How must Anna Blinkova must be feeling? She must reset, again. Her first serve is long, and Garcia attacks her second, coming roaring up - but Blinkova beats her at the net. A ninth match point.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 5-6 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Lucky number seven? Another chance for Blinkova to close it out...

Nope! A timid little pat into the net on the left side. Deuce once more in this interminable game.

What a time for an ace! Caroline Garcia beaten to her forehand side, unable even to raise a racquet.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 5-6 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Or not! Three strokes and Blinkova finishes it, finding a magnificent forehand winner from the baseline with Garcia surprised by the depth and precision into the corner.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 5-6 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Superb from the fifth seed, bravely taking on another of those violent backhands and this time clearing the net by a foot. A great chance.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 5-6 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Double fault! An untimely gust of wind. On we go.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 5-6 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Into the net! A break point for Caroline Garcia, looking calm and composed as Blinkova hurls herself about with plenty of noise, but the Frenchwoman finds the net with a basic backhand.

And another grants Blinkova match point number six...

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 5-6 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two more match points saved! Blinkova had the chance to come in and finish it but just hesitated for a moment too long, playing a rather aimless approach shot rather than take a loopy Garcia backhand on the volley, and the Frenchwoman came up with a brilliant passing shot.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 5-6 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Here we go again, then. Garcia has a chance to attack a second serve, but only finds the net.

Another first serve fails to fall for Blinkova, but the second is good. Garcia gets it back, but not two shots later, her backhand landing three yards shy as the Russian rushes to the net to make totally certain. 30-0.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 5-6 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s all getting a bit too much for the crowd, who are told off and warned not to orate during the points. How can they stop themselves, though, when the match is this enthralling? Break point for Blinkova.

And it’s hers - she’ll serve for the match again.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 5-5 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But Anna Blinkova isn’t going to fold. A look of sheer intensity spreads across her face and down through her body as she throws a couple of colossal clouts of her own to get to 0-15 in Garcia’s service game.

0-30 with a double fault, and Garcia only just makes a forehand winner. The tension!

On the line! How has Garcia extricated herself there? Blinkova was right on top in the point but a terrible drop shot and Garcia capitalises with a sliding backhand push that plops down just in play. 30-30.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 5-5 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Magnificent tennis! Caroline Garcia is right up against the ropes but finds a couple more haymakers. It’s five-all. We’re back on serve. What a match!

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 4-5 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

She’s taking great gulps at the last chance saloon but Caroline Garcia is somehow still alive! Remarkable tennis from the Frenchwoman, unfurling forehands with reckless abandon but saving two match points.

One break point missed. But she’ll get another, sustaining her precision as Blinkova errs again.

Is that backhand lob out? Garcia leaves it, and rushes to check...she thinks so, the umpire does not! On the line by a millimetre! Deuce. What drama.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 4-5 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Garcia fights on! A couple of fearsome forehands and it’s deuce.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 4-5 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Four points needed for a third round place.

Make that three. A clever serve, and Garcia’s return is wide.

A topspin forehand is way long - 30-0. Blinkova on the verge of victory...

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 4-5 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

You can feel the nervous energy coming out of both players, bouncing through a home crowd desperate not to lose France’s best singles contender so early in the tournament. Caroline Garcia holds, letting out a whoop of sorts before heading for the chair. Anna Blinkova will serve for the match.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 3-5 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A few boos from the French Open crowd as a late call comes for a Garcia forehand that appears to have just drifted out. It has indeed - a tilt of the head from the umpire towards the Frenchwoman as she raises a finger confirming as much.

Another cross-court forehand is rather more decisively out. 30-all.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 3-5 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Anna Blinkova only has one previous top ten win, beating Belinda Bencic when she was world number eight in 2020. She also reached the third round of the French in 2019, but this would be her most significant win at a major yet by a distance.

She’s one game away.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 3-4 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That added volume seems to help. Held to love with two crunching serves, the first an ace, the second only patted into the baseline clay by a sprawling Blinkova.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 2-4 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Caroline Garcia flaps her arms in disbelief as a forehand drifts a little long, Anna Blinkova eagerly circling the pitchmark an inch beyond the baseline. Garcia needs something, anything, to lift her, and the brass band and the crowd oblige, providing some extra noise as their French fifth seed waits to serve.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 2-3 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A much-needed hold for Caroline Garcia, striding over to her chair purposefully after an ace, trying to keep her intensity up.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 1-3 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Anna Blinkova has looked much more secure on serve than Caroline Garcia since the end of the first set, and all she’ll need from here is four holds to get it done.

The first of them is secured as Garcia follows her 29th forehand error of the encounter with a swiped backhand into the net.

Across on Court Simonne-Mathieu, Thanasi Kokkinakis has hit back against Stan Wawrinka, securing the second set 7-5.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 1-2 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Blinkova breaks! A moment of drama on Chatrier as a Garcia serve appears to take a healthy chunk of the centre line, but the chair umpire confirms the out call made on court. Garcia takes a pause, and is forced to wait again as a gust of wind distresses the clay, sending it swirling around her. Her second serve is walloped back by the Russian, who goes in front.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 1-1 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Blinkova holds, and puts plenty of pressure on in Garcia’s next service game, working her thrice to deuce.

Can she pounce? A double fault and we’re back to deuce again as we near the two hour mark in the match.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Much more like it from Garcia, who sprints down to the other end having secured the first game of the set. A bit more accuracy and anger in that first serve to help her to the hold.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 0-0 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Righty ho, on we go. Caroline Garcia needs to lift her game again and lift the home crowd - you just felt their support wane in that set, dissapointed by a lot of unforced errors from the fifth seed.

Around Roland-Garros, a second set tie-break would appear to beckon for slamming Stan and Than (Wawrinka 6-5, 5-5 Kokkinakis) while Daria Kasatkina is a set and a break to the good against Marketa Vondrousova (6-3, 2-0). Lorenzo Sonego has two sets already in the bag on Court 14, but Ugo Humbert has broken in the third and appears to have plenty of life left in him yet.

Anna Blinkova levels things up against Caroline Garcia

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And a hold to love and it’s one apiece. 6-4, 3-6. Off to a decider to see if the fifth seed can continue to steady herself...

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-5 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another game for Garcia, taken with a clever adjustment on the run, out-doing Blinkova with a drop shot after the Russian had flighted her attempt too far.

Blinkova will serve again for the set.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 2-5 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Make that five break points tossed overboard, each one in a moment of misplaced aggression.

But at last, relief! Garcia munches gleefully on a second serve, closing out the break with a pleasant backhand thwack. It may prove insignificant in the context of the set but you felt the Frenchwoman just needed something to stop any further frays.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 1-5 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two break points wasted by Caroline Garcia, who chastises herself after the second is squandered with a horrid hurried attempt at a forehand return.

A third is thrown away, too, with a similarly gruesome hoick into the net.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 1-5 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Caroline Garcia wins her first point on her first serve of the set to save the first of two Anna Blinkova break points, and a much-needed deep forehand ensures Garcia crampons back up to deuce.

But the wheels are certainly beginning to wriggle off their axles - a wretched forehand is hauled wide to Blinkova’s right and the Russian is a game away from squaring things up.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 1-4 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Onwards Blinkova goes, having all but silenced a Philippe-Chatrier crowd that seems surprised at Caroline Garcia’s sudden lack of fluency. 14 of the last 19 points have gone the Russian’s way.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 1-3 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Back-to-back breaks for Blinkova! This is not so sweet from Caroline Garcia, doubt and errors suddenly creeping in, and she’s broken to love with the Russian not having to do much to extend her advantage.

A nervous tug at the racquet strings from the Frenchwoman.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 1-2 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A battling hold from Blinkova, winning the penultimate point after nimbly moving up to the frontcourt and finding a couple of silky volleys.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 1-1 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Blinkova breaks! Another backhand error and the Russian is back on level terms in the second. More of that sort of level will be required but that should lift the 24-year-old.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 1-0 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stan Wawrinka has swept up the first set against Thanasi Kokkinakis despite a faulty first serve, landing less than half of them but still holding all the way through to take it 6-3. The 2015 winner might need to build quickly on that - he’d not necessarily fancy another long’un after going so deep in his first round match on Monday.

Two break points for Anna Blinkova, the first passing her by as Garcia beats the Russian at the net, and the second eludes her, too, nearly clipping the outside of the line with an intelligent backhand but not quite catching the white stuff.

Another chance, though - a sloppy backhand swat from Garcia hits the net about three-quarters of the way up.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 1-0 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s a high quality start to the second set, the two players trading some fierce ground strokes, with Garcia very nearly finding a forehand missile winner that darts into one of the sponsors’ crododiles at the back of the court having landed an inch or two out.

It matters not - break secured with the second forehand drop shot of the game.

Caroline Garcia 6-4, 0-0 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The first break of the match on Simonne-Mathieu, where Stan Wawrinka has wriggled ahead, breaking Thanasi Kokkinakis in the eighth game. He’ll serve for the set.

A few other second round results, handily packaged up in one tweet for ease of digestion, including confirmation that it will be Elise Mertens to face Jess Pegula later this week:

Caroline Garcia 6-4 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And the home crowd are up in celebration again as Caroline Garcia seals the first set with a booming blow up the centre. For all the damage done with her serve, that’s the fifth seed’s first ace of the match.

Caroline Garcia 5-3 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The battle between Stan and Than on Court Simonne-Mathieu has proved even so far, with Messrs Wawrinka and Kokkinakis locked at three games apiece in the first set.

Caroline Garcia races to another hold behind a couple of mighty first serve blows, prompting a celebratory toot of a best forgotten Eiffel 65 number from the brass band in the stands.

Caroline Garcia 4-2 Anna Blinkova

Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Garcia shows her softer side, too, dropping in a delicate slice forehand that surprises Blinkova, expecting an approach shot having left her slice short. A forehand pitches a couple of yards long and the game is Garcia’s.

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