Elina Svitolina became the latest big name to fall at the French Open as the exodus of women’s seeds continued. The Ukrainian, seeded fifth, was defeated 6-3, 6-2 by the world No 33 Barbora Krejcikova, of the Czech Republic.
Having previously made three quarter-finals on the Parisian clay, Svitolina had designs on a deeper run this year following the withdrawal of top seed Ashleigh Barty from her section of the draw.
The Ukrainian has been in good form on the red dirt this season, reaching the semi-finals in Stuttgart and the last eight in Rome, but was comprehensively outclassed by an opponent high on confidence after winning the first singles title of her career in Strasbourg last week.
In truth, the outcome was hardly a shock. While Krejcikova is better known as a doubles specialist, having reached world No 1 three years ago when she partnered compatriot Katerina Siniakova to the Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles, her singles results have steadily improved since last year, when she made the fourth round of a major for the first time in Paris.
The Czech has now won 10 of her previous 11 matches, with a quarter-final loss in Rome – where she defeated Sofia Kenin and held match points against Iga Swiatek – the only blot on her recent record.
“I’m super happy, I can’t really believe it,” said Krejcikova, who laid the foundations for victory by surviving a 21-minute service game at 4-3 in the opening set. “I’m so happy that I was able to play my tennis and my game plan was working. This was, so far I think, my best match, I’m so happy that I’m here, that I’m enjoying the game, that I’m entertaining the crowd … I’m just super happy.”
Krejcikova will play Sloane Stephens, the former US Open champion, in round four. The 59th-ranked American, a finalist at Roland Garros in 2018, edged an error-strewn contest against Karolina Muchova, the 18th seed, 6-3, 7-5.
Kenin, last year’s beaten finalist and the highest seed left in the women’s draw, came through a tough contest against fellow American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.
“I was just fighting out there, she’s such a tough player. I knew the third set would be really tough and I’m just proud of myself for hanging in there and battling it out,” said Kenin, who will play Maria Sakkari next after the 17th-seeded Greek beat Belgium’s Elise Mertens 7-5, 6-7 (2-7), 6-2. “My expectations are to take just one match at a time and enjoy the moment.”
Swiatek, the defending champion, beat Anett Kontaveit of Estonia 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 and will face the Ukrainian teenager Marta Kostyuk, who won 6-1, 6-2 against Russia’s Varvara Grachev, in round four.
Kontaveit had won both her previous meetings with Swiatek, but the Pole held her nerve after falling a break behind early on to extend her tally of straight-sets victories in Paris to 10.
“It’s good to have matches like that because it keeps you down-to-earth and you have to just be careful on every point and on every game. “I’m just happy that I’m able to play solid deciding balls and really solid in important moments,” said Swiatek. “That’s the most important thing for me.”
Coco Gauff of the United States moved into the last 16 after Jennifer Brady was forced to retire with a foot injury. Gauff was leading 6-1 when her compatriot called for medical assistance before pulling out. She will now play Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, who defeated Magda Linette 3-6, 6-0, 6-1.