Monday features the conclusion of third round action in men’s singles, as well as all eight matches in the round of 16 from the women’s singles draw.
Monday’s schedule is headlined by a clash between a pair of four-time Major champions, as Aryna Sabalenka takes on Naomi Osaka. Plus, a pair of two-time Major singles champs also play their fourth round matches: Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff.
On the men’s side, only three of the top eight men in the world will be playing during the second week of this event. Three of the top eight didn’t play due to injury, and two others lost their opening contests. But second-seeded Alexander Zverev is still here, and on Monday faces a surprise semifinalist from Cincinnati last summer, Terence Atmane. And defending Madrid Open champion Casper Ruud squares off against Spanish No.2 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Here’s a rundown of the most notable matches on Monday (in chronological order, all times local):
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (20) vs. Casper Ruud (12) – 11:00am on Manolo Santana Stadium
To begin his title defense, Ruud dropped just one game on Saturday against another Spaniard, Jaume Munar. Davidovich Fokina also won his opener in straights. This head-to-head is tied at 3-3 overall, and at 1-1 on clay. Four of their six matches have gone the distance, including a pair of five-setters at Roland Garros, which they have also split.
Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Naomi Osaka (14) – Not Before 1:00pm on Manolo Santana Stadium
Last month at Indian Wells, Sabalenka defeated Osaka 6-2, 6-4. Their only other prior encounter occurred eight years ago in the round of 16 at the US Open, where Osaka prevailed in three. Considering Naomi loses as many matches on clay as she wins, and considering Aryna hasn’t lost to anyone besides Elena Rybakina in over six months, the World No.1 is a significant favorite in this one.
Linda Noskova (13) vs. Coco Gauff (3) – Not Before 4:00pm on Manolo Santana Stadium
Gauff needed to battle back from a set down on Sunday, as well as battle the illness which has been going around the locker room, which caused her get sick during the match. Noskova was a semifinalist last month at Indian Wells, and she should be fresh for this match, as she received a walkover in the last round. Coco has claimed both of their previous meetings in straights, which both occurred back in 2023.
Terence Atmane vs. Alexander Zverev (2) – Not Before 8:00pm on Manolo Santana Stadium
In his opening match, Zverev required three sets to oust Mariano Navone, while Atmane won two matches this past week in straight sets. The 24-year-old Frenchman recently debuted inside the world’s top 50, mostly thanks to his run to the Cincinnati semifinals last summer as a qualifier, where he upset two top 10 players (Fritz, Rune). This is their first career meeting.
Anastasia Potapova vs. Elena Rybakina (2) – Not Before 9:00pm on Manolo Santana Stadium
Both women played grueling three-setters that went late into the evening on Sunday. Rybakina came from a set down against Qinwen Zheng, while Potapova did the same against Jelena Ostapenko. Rybakina defeated Potapova two years ago in Brisbane, though Potapova retired from that match after the first set.
Monday’s full Order of Play is here.
