We choose our top five matches on Saturday's order of play
All’s fair in love and war – or so the saying goes. But that does not make it any easier. There is a Grand Slam title to fight for (it would be Aryna Sabalenka’s third if she were to win here) and there is the small matter of a €2.4million cheque for the eventual champion; there is a lot on the line in the coming days.
The last person, then, that you might want to face as you plan your path to the final is your best friend. But that is what awaits Sabalenka on Saturday.
She takes on her best pal on tour, Paula Badosa. At the moment, the Spaniard is ranked at No.139 but just two years ago she was the second-best player on the planet but then, last year, she injured her back and her position in the world order slipped.
But Badosa knows how to play, particularly on these courts: she reached the quarter-finals here in 2021.
“It's always tough to play your friend, your really best friend on tour, I would say,” Sabalenka said. “But we know how to manage that. We know how to separate court and life. It's always a great battle, great fight against her. I always enjoy playing against her.”
©️Loic Wacziak / FFTThe two first met playing Tie Break Tens in Los Angeles three years ago. After that they played doubles together in Miami and they have been the best of buddies ever since.
There is also little danger that Badosa could spring any surprises on the world No.2 – not only have they played six times in the past (Badosa has won twice but not since 2021) but Sabalenka watches most of her matches.
“I watched her a lot,” Sabalenka said. “She's my favourite. I love her so much. I love to see her play, and she's really a great fighter, so it's always great matches.”
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTThe feeling is clearly mutual. Badosa enthuses about her pal with little prompting. The thought that she could be playing the world No.2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier is what kept her going as she struggled with injury last year.
“She has a big personality,” Badosa said of Sabalenka.
“She’s a good girl, always bringing this good energy, even on court. So you can see a very active, very intense player. I'm really looking forward for that match. I know what I'm going to find from her side on Saturday. I know how I have to play against her. I think it's going to be fun. This past year hasn't been easy. So playing these kinds of matches, it makes it all worth it.”
A place in the fourth round is the prize – and may the best friend win.
Court Philippe-Chatrier, first match: Elise Mertens vs Elena Rybakina
At first glance, the world No.4 and former Wimbledon champion Rybakina taking on the world No.27 and a woman who reached the Australian Open semi-finals six years ago does not look like much of a match-up. But there is rather more to Mertens than that.
A four-time doubles Grand Slam champion (her latest title came in Australia in January) and twice more a Grand Slam doubles finalist, she is currently the world No.2 in the doubles rankings (her regular partner, Su-Wei Hsieh, is the No.1).
Whether that will be enough to beat the champion of Stuttgart and the Madrid semi-finalist remains to be seen but it will certainly make Saturday interesting.
Court Suzanne-Lenglen, second match: Daniil Medvedev vs Tomas Machac
Machac is one of those players nobody wants to meet at the moment. He reached his first final the week before Roland-Garros in Geneva, beating Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, and just missed out on a seeding here by a couple of ranking spots. Getting better week by week this season (he started the year ranked No.78), he is in the form of his life.
But is Medvedev afraid? Not at all. “Tomas is going up the rankings,” the world No.5 said, “playing aggressive, hitting the ball well, having good victories. I mean, final last week, so a lot of confidence. But fear? I’m not sure. I don't think I fear anyone, to be honest.”
Court Philippe-Chatrier, third match: Alexander Zverev vs Tallon Griekspoor
Zverev wishes it were warmer. Not that he is being fussy; it is just that with his game, life is so much easier when the conditions are a little quicker. And that would require a bit of sunshine. No matter, the tall German has yet to drop a set which, for him on these courts, is a good sign.
His history here is littered with four and five-set marathons but, so far, he has been as clinical and effective as the conditions will allow. Then again, he is usually effective against Griekspoor whatever the conditions: he has beaten the Dutchman three times in four previous meetings.
Court Suzanne-Lenglen, third match: Madison Keys vs Emma Navarro
It is safe to say that clay has not always been Keys’ surface of choice. She reached the semi-final here six years ago but her game is far better suited to a hard court. This year, though, all of that changed: she reached the quarter-finals in Rome, the semi-finals in Madrid and won Strasbourg.
“It kind of took me by surprise,” she said. “Going into Madrid I think I had lost, like, first round the five years in a row. Getting that first win – it felt really big for me. From then I just kind of have tried to carry over all of that momentum. I was not expecting it.”
But now the fourth round here is a distinct possibility.
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
