Azarenka dumped out, Bertens wins brutal match against Errani
All the women’s singles results and updates from Day 4 of the 2020 French Open. Tenth seed VIctoria Azarenka lost her second-round match, while Kiki Bertens survived a wild one against Sara Errani.
Azarenka at round 1 of Roland-Garros 2020
The results we expected
Third seed Elina Svitolina is through to the third round, a result everybody expected against Mexican qualifier Renata Zarazua. But the manner of her victory was anything but, with the Ukrainian losing the second set to love before emerging a 6-3, 0-6, 6-2 winner.
In the all-American clash of the day, it was the 25th seed Amanda Anisimova who came out on top and in convincing fashion, thrashing compatriot Bernarda Pera 6-2, 6-0.
All in the mind.@ElinaSvitolina battle back against Zarazua 6-3 0-6 6-2 and is into the third round.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/EkUy1Cfo78
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 30, 2020
A rematch between Anisimova and Simona Halep is now assured. Halep, this fortnight’s top seed, beat Irina-Camelia Begu 6-3, 6-4. The Romanian was upset by Anisimova in the Roland-Garros quarter-finals last year.
No 16 Elise Mertens also advanced to the round of 32, beating Kaia Kanepi 6-4, 7-5. No 20 Maria Sakkari defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 7-6(0), 6-2.
The surprises of the day
Of course, the big surprise of the day, and of the tournament so far, was the withdrawal of three-time champion Serena Williams with a recurrence of the Achilles’ problem that hampered her in New York.
Back on court, fellow mother and US Open finalist and tenth seed Victoria Azarenka is also out of the French Open in the second round after suffering a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, losing 6-2, 6-2.
Azarenka had no problem in beating Danka Kovinic 6-1, 6-2 in the opening round but was strangely out of sorts, making 38 unforced errors on the way to defeat. That is to take nothing away from her 161st-ranked opponent, who converted four out of her seven break points.
"I always give a hundred per cent… and I take solace in that."@serenawilliams #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/t9FNt49Prb
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 30, 2020
The hard-fought battles of the day
The women’s draw is proving exceedingly tough to predict, as Nadia Podoroska upset 23rd seed Yulia Putintseva in a topsy-turvy encounter, winning 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. She will next play Azarekna’s conquerer, Schmiedlova.
For Czech tennis fans, there was a treat in store on Court 12 as Barbora Krejcikova upset compatriot Barbora Strycova 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
That poor racket 💥😳@PutintsevaYulia certainly wasn't happy here… 😡
🇫🇷 #RG20 LIVE
📺 Eurosport 1&2
📱💻 Uninterrupted coverage: https://t.co/7Sr1bWyVse pic.twitter.com/g0QVZBjK4H— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) September 30, 2020
And there was more drama in a match full of aggression and no shortage of animosity as Kiki Bertens came through a marathon against former finalist Sara Errani, winning 7-6, 3-6, 9-7 with the Italian having squandered a match point. And with Bertens seemingly cramping badly, it appeared Errani wasn’t buying the performance — taking it as gamesmanship and even openly mocking her opponent.
There were no pleasantries at the end, as Errani refused to acknowledge her opponent and yelled expletives as she left the court. Bertens left in a wheelchair.
Epic content https://t.co/FNn0XRPcvo
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 30, 2020
Wheelchair out on court to assist Kiki Bertens back to the locker room.
Has been able to share some laughs with the trainers, showing them her hands stuck in cramp. Taking some pills from the doctor. #RG20 pic.twitter.com/JwlTED5KKO
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 30, 2020
