Paris ¨C Iga Swiatek stayed cool in sweltering conditions while Novak Djokovic was given a stern test before reaching the third round of the French Open. Women¡¯s world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, however, was unable to avoid an early exit on Wednesday.
Italian Open champion Elina Svitolina continued to mark herself?as a genuine title contender with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Kaitlin Quevedo on Court Philippe Chatrier, before fellow Ukrainian and Madrid Open winner Marta Kostyuk beat Katie Volynets 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-3. There has been a lot?to celebrate for Ukrainian ?tennis in the last few weeks, and Yuliia Starodubtseva gave her country another reason to rejoice amid the Russian-led war after she fought past Moscow-born Rybakina 3-6, 6-1, ?7-6 (10-4) for ?her first top-five win.
Fresh off claiming her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, No. 2 seed Rybakina was ?a shadow of her usually dominant self as she made 71 unforced errors in the clash with Starodubtseva to bow out tamely.
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