The third and final day of the ladies singles at Roland Garros had a mostly predictable run. Most seeded players and home favourites had positive rounds.
The major exception to the rule was obviously the early shock loss of Britain’s Johanna Konta. The Briton had started well but faltered badly after losing the second set tiebreak in an eventual 1-6, 7-6, 6-4 win for Su-Wei Hsieh.
The result on paper is surprising, but Konta has struggled badly on clay, with just four tour wins on the surface in her career.
Elina Svitolina, the fifth seed, won her match against Yaroslava Shvedova 6-4, 6-3. Home favourite Caroline Garcia also moved to the second round with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Japan’s Nao Hibino. Simona Halep is a favourite for the tournament despite recent injury struggles, but the Romanian eased through her first round match. She defeated Jana Cepelova 6-2, 6-3.
Alize Cornet also delighted the home crowd with a 6-2, 6-7, 6-2 win over Timea Babos. Twelfth seed Madison Keys also eased through with a quick 6-3, 6-2 over Australia’s Ashleigh Barty.
Popular Canadian Eugenie Bouchard was forced to come from behind to make the second round. She defeated Japan’s Risa Okazaki 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. Fiona Ferro was quickly beaten by Agnieszka Radwanska, despite plenty of home support. The ninth seed won 6-1, 6-1.
Seventeenth seed Anastasija Sevastova moved through in straight sets, as did Barbora Strycova, the twentieth seed.
