Story so far: Berrettini shocked, Tsitsipas in a hurry

Italian No.7 seed falls to Grand Slam debutant Altmaier as Rublev and Tsitsipas breeze into second week

Matteo Berrettini, Roland Garros 2020, second round© Corinne Dubreuil/FFT
 - Reem Abulleil

Italian No.7 seed Matteo Berrettini suffered a 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-4 upset in the Roland-Garros third round on Saturday against the ever-impressive debutant Daniel Altmaier.

Altmaier, ranked 186 in the world, had never played at any major, not even in qualifying, prior to this fortnight.

But he successfully made it through the qualifying rounds in Paris last week and took down Feliciano Lopez, No.30 seed Jan-Lennard Struff and now the seventh-seeded Berrettini to become just the fourth man this millennium to reach the last 16 on his Grand Slam debut.

"First of all it's nice to meet you also, first time here, first time playing here in Paris, it means a lot to me," the 22-year-old German told Fabrice Santoro during the on-court interview.

"I'm happy to be in the fourth round and the tournament continues for me.

Daniel Altmaier, Roland Garros 2020, third round© Julien Crosnier/FFT

"We were working so hard for the past years to be here. I had been struggling with injuries but it feels great finally to arrive here, and better against the top guys. Personally here, Roland-Garros especially, when I arrived here, I didn't know I would compete, I was injured the week before in Aix, and on Friday the doctor gave me the go-ahead that I can play, so I'm super pleased to be still here."

Over on Court Simonne-Mathieu, No.13 seed Andrey Rublev claimed an eight consecutive victory by easing past South Africa's Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

Rublev, who won the Hamburg title six days ago, is through to the Roland-Garros fourth round for the first time. His only previous appearance was a first-round exit in 2017 and he missed the last two editions nursing injuries.

The Russian former Roland-Garros junior champion next plays Hungarian Marton Fucsovics.

No.17 seed Pablo Carreno Busta triumphed in an all-Spanish battle against No.10 seed Robero Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to move into the Roland-Garros fourth round for the first time since 2017.

A recent US Open semi-finalist, Carreno Busta will next face Altmaier for a place in the quarters.

"You cannot expect an easy match when you are playing Roberto," said Carreno Busta in his on-court interview with Marion Bartoli. "We spent a lot of time together, in the preseason, in the Davis Cup, ATP Cup, we practice a lot. I'm playing really, really good, just trying to be aggressive.

"Finally we have the sun here, and the crowd. It's very important for us to have people supporting us. After a lot of matches playing in the US without the crowd, it's a different feeling when you play like this, so thank you very much, everybody."

Pablo Carreno Busta, Roland Garros 2020, third round© Loïc Wacziak/FFT

Greek No.5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas earned passage into the fourth round when his Slovenian opponent Aljaz Bedene was forced to retire with a foot problem while trailing 6-1, 6-2, 3-1. The contest lasted just 80 minutes.

The match ended so abruptly that the on-court interviewer was late for the chat with Tsitsipas on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

Tsitsipas, who is through to the last 16 for a second straight yet, now awaits either Grigor Dimitrov or Roberto Carballes Baena.

Kenin puts hammer down

American No.4 seed Sofia Kenin won the last 12 games of her match to trounce Romanian qualifier Irina Bara 6-2, 6-0 and reach the Roland-Garros last 16 for a second year in a row.

The 21-year-old Kenin has now made the second week at all three Grand Slams held in 2020. Her next opponent is either Fiona Ferro or Patricia Maria Tig.

Breaking new ground

Ons Jabeur survived a wild third round to upset No.8 seed Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(7), 2-6, 6-3.

The No.30 seed is the first Tunisian player in history to reach the Roland-Garros fourth round and now awaits the winner of the showdown between Garbine Muguruza and Danielle Collins.

Zhang Shuai ended the inspired run of French teenager Clara Burel 7-6(2), 7-5 to become the first Chinese player since Li Na in 2012 to make the Roland-Garros last 16.

Zhang Shuai, Roland Garros 2020, third round© Cédric Lecocq/FFT

Keep an eye on the juniors

The boys' and girls' singles and doubles draw have been released as the world's best juniors get set for Roland-Garros 2020.

French 18-year-old Harold Mayot is the top seed in the boys' singles event while Andorran Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva headlines the girls' singles tournament.

Both top seeds are the reigning Australian Open junior champions and are playing their first majors since Melbourne.