This century, as per the WTA, Iga Swiatek is tied for fifth-most 6-0 sets won in a season. And it’s still only May. The 2020 champion will look to continue her dominance on Saturday against Danka Kovinic, won who an ITF-level clay event earlier this month.
Other third round action on Saturday includes Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Paula Badosa.
Throughout the tournament, this preview will analyze the day’s five most prominent matches, while highlighting the other notable matches on the schedule. Saturday’s play begins at 11:00am local time.
Andrey Rublev (7) vs. Cristian Garin – 11:00am on Court 14
Rublev won a clay event in Belgrade last month, yet went just 2-2 between Madrid and Rome. Thus far, he’s dropped a set in each of his first two matches. So Andrey is not currently in his top form. And his history at this event is rather up-and-down: he reached the quarterfinals in 2020, but lost in the first round in his other two previous appearances. Garin excels on this surface: all five of his career ATP titles have come on clay, and he advanced to the fourth round here a year ago. After surprisingly struggling on clay this February in South America, where he went 0-3, the Chilean was a semifinalist in Houston and a quarterfinalist in Madrid. Andrey is 2-0 against Cristian, which includes a win on clay three years ago in Hamburg. Garin should certainly test Rublev, and if he does, Andrey needs to avoid allowing his temper to get the best of him as it recently has. But the seventh seed has the necessary fire power to dictate play and prevail.
Iga Swiatek (1) vs. Danika Kovinic – 12:00pm on Court Philippe Chatrier
Kovinic is a 27-year-old from Montenegro who, after never getting beyond the second round of a Major for eight years, is now into the third round at the second consecutive Slam At January’s Australian Open, she upset US Open champ Emma Raducanu. And she’s 12-4 this year on clay at all levels. But defeating another Slam champ on Saturday will be a daunting task. Swiatek has not lost since February 16th, and she’s 16-2 lifetime at this event, with her only losses coming against top 10 opposition (Halep, Sakkari). Iga is a huge favorite to make the second week of this event for the fourth straight year, something she’s never failed to do.
Daniil Medvedev (2) vs. Miomir Kecmanovic (28) – Second on Court Suzanne Lenglen
Coming off a near two-month layoff for hernia surgery, and an 0-1 record on clay this season, not much was expected of Medvedev heading into this fortnight. But he’s played at a high level this week, and is yet to drop a set. However, Kecmanovic will be a big step up in competition. The 22-year-old is in the top 20 of the year-to-date rankings, thanks to 25 match wins. Miomir has achieved six quarterfinals this season, and he’s coached by a man who knows plenty about playing on clay: two-time French Open semifinalist David Nalbandian. Medvedev and Kecmanovic have never played before, and an upset of the No.2 seed would not be shocking considering Miomir’s recent form, as well as Daniil’s lack of play and lack of love for this surface.
Paula Badosa (3) vs. Veronika Kudermetova (29) – Third on Court Suzanne Lenglen
This is their third meeting this season, and Badosa crushed Kudermetova in their first two. In Indian Wells, Paula won 6-3, 6-2. In Madrid, it was 6-3, 6-0. However, Veronika claimed their three earlier encounters, two of which occurred last year, and one of which was on clay. Kudermetova reached a clay final last month in Istanbul, but then promptly lost three straight matches heading into this event, including the Madrid loss to Badosa. Paula was an excellent 17-3 on clay last year, though she’s yet to play at her top level this season on this surface. But based on their recent history, Badosa is a considerable favorite to even their overall head-to-head.
Holger Rune vs. Hugo Gaston – Not Before 8:45pm on Court Philippe Chatrier
These are two of the ATP’s most exciting young stars, who will deservedly receive the spotlight of the night session on Saturday night in Paris. 21-year-old Gaston made his Major breakthrough at this event two years ago, as the Frenchman electrified the Parisian audience with his surprising run to the fourth round. Hugo defeated two-time finalist Dominic Thiem in five sets, and then almost upset another Major champion Stan Wawrinka, eventually losing in five, but not before hitting an astounding 58 drop shots. 19-year-old Rune made a name for himself at last year’s US open by taking a set off Novak Djokovic. And within the last two months, Rune has claimed two clay titles, one at Challenger level and one at tour level. Holger is yet to drop a set this week, while Hugo again enthused his home country with a victory over Alex de Minaur in a fifth-set tiebreak. The French crowd played a huge role in that outcome, and they’ll look to do the same on Saturday evening. But in their first career meeting, the more in-form player should be favored, and that definitively is Rune. Prior to this tournament, Gaston was only 4-9 on the year.
Other Notable Matches on Saturday:
Aryna Sabalenka (7) vs. Camila Giorgi (28) – These are two of the WTA’s hardest ball strikers. They have split two previous meetings, with their clay court matchup going to Sabalenka.
Jessica Pegula (11) vs. Tamara Zidansek (24) – Pegula has required 19 match points across her first two matches to advance. Zidansek was a surprise semifinalist here a year ago, but had a losing record on the year coming into this event. Two years in Auckland, Pegula defeated Zidansek 6-2, 6-3.
Hubert Hurkacz (12) vs. David Goffin – Hurkacz has advanced via two three-setters, while Goffin has advanced via two four-setters. Just a few weeks ago in Rome, Goffin overcame Hurkacz in two sets decided by tiebreaks.
Marin Cilic (20) vs. Gilles Simon (WC) – Simon is one of the best stories of this first week. Gilles was 1-4 at tour level this season, but in his last Roland Garros, the Frenchman has thrilled the Parisian crowd with surprising victories over Pablo Carreno Busta and Steve Johnson. And he’s 6-1 lifetime against Cilic, with Marin’s only win coming in a five-setter at the 2014 US Open.
Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) vs. Mikael Ymer – Tsitsipas has really struggled through two rounds, already spending nearly eight hours on court. Ymer is yet to go beyond the third round of a Slam, and is 0-3 against the Greek.
Elena Rybakina (16) vs. Madison Keys (22) – Rybakina was a quarterfinalist here a year ago, though Keys has reached the quarters or better twice. This is their first meeting.
Casper Ruud (8) vs. Lorenzo Sonego (32) – Despite owning seven ATP titles on clay, Ruud is 0-3 in the third round of Roland Garros. Sonego reached the fourth round two years ago, and is yet to drop a set this week. Ruud is 3-0 against Sonego, and has won six of their seven sets.
Saturday’s full Order of Play is here.
