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Russian rocked, Rafa rejected at French Open

Author
news.com.au,
Publish Date
Tue, 31 May 2022, 1:06pm
Daniil Medvedev in action. Photo / Getty
Daniil Medvedev in action. Photo / Getty

Russian rocked, Rafa rejected at French Open

Author
news.com.au,
Publish Date
Tue, 31 May 2022, 1:06pm

Top seeds Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas have been knocked out of the French Open in major upsets that have opened up the men's draw.

Unseeded Dane Holger Rune dispatched Tsitsipas 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-4 before 33-year-old veteran Marin Cilic stunned Medvedev in straight sets on Philippe Chatrier.

The Croatian roared with delight after completing a 6-2 6-3 6-2 rout nobody saw coming. Despite Medvedev's previous struggles on clay, the world No. 2 was looking strong in Paris this year before Cilic crashed his party and scored his first career win against a top 10 player at Roland Garros.

"That was one of the best matches of my career, from start to finish," Cilic said after the win.

It's more bad news for Medvedev, who now needs to wait until the US Open for his next shot at a grand slam title after Wimbledon banned Russian players from competing at the All England Club this year because of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal's quarter-final against long-time rival Novak Djokovic will take place in Tuesday's night session at Roland Garros despite the 13-time champion's desire to play in the day.

Officials confirmed Monday that the pair's 59th career meeting will be the late match under the lights of Court Philippe Chatrier with the day's other quarter-final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev set for the afternoon.

"I don't like to play on clay during the night, because the humidity is higher, the ball is slower, and there can be very heavy conditions especially when it's cold," said Nadal last week.

"I think that makes a big difference between the way tennis is played on clay during the night and during the day."

Rafael Nadal. Photo / Photosport

Rafael Nadal. Photo / Photosport

Djokovic had hinted he would prefer to face Nadal as late as possible.

"All I will say is Rafa and I would make different requests," said the world number one and defending champion.

Alcaraz said it would have been "unfair" if he was ordered to play after 9pm for the third time. Nadal and Djokovic have played one match each so far after dark.

Zverev was also dismissive of night-time conditions.

"I don't mind the evening sessions when it's 30 degrees during the day," said the 25-year-old.

"When it's 14 degrees, then in the night it's going to be what, eight, nine (degrees), something like that, it gets difficult."

Organisers faced a dilemma over scheduling with host broadcaster Prime Video having the rights to the tournament's 10 night sessions.

Officials said an agreement had been reached whereby the match — the 10th between Djokovic and Nadal at Roland Garros — would be available free to air.

"The quarter-final match between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal scheduled for Tuesday 31 May at 8:45pm will be free to watch as unrestricted content in France across Prime Video mobile and web apps," said a statement.

However, France's public service broadcaster, which carries coverage of the tournament on terrestrial channels, hit out.

"France Televisions regrets this decision which deprives French viewers of one of the most beautiful adverts of the tournament," they said in a statement.

Elsewhere, eighth seed Casper Ruud became the first Norwegian man to reach the French Open quarter-finals on with a four-set win against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz.

The 23-year-old held off a brief Hurkacz fightback to win 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and will face either fellow Rune on Thursday.

Ruud is into his first ever Grand Slam quarter-final as he continues an impressive season which has seen him win two clay-court titles.

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