NOVAK Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka eased into the third round of the French Open yesterday, with Alexander Zverev also joining them in advancing.
The big names avoided upsets as tournament organisers cracked down on unruly fans by announcing an alcohol ban in the stands while also dealing with wet conditions that have disrupted the schedule.
Defending men’s singles champion Djokovic outclassed Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4, 6-1, 6-2, with seeds Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina also going through unaffected by conditions due to overhead cover.
Also playing under the roof as Roland Garros authorities were scratching their heads over what to do with the rest of the schedule after a fifth straight rain-hit day, second seed Sabalenka thrashed Moyuka Uchijima 6-2, 6-2.
World number four Zverev then reached the French Open third round with a 7-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory over experienced Belgian David Goffin, three days after beating the legendary 14-time champion Rafael Nadal.
The German Zverev, seeking to win his first French Open title after reaching the semi-finals in the last three years, had to work hard to win the first-set tiebreak and broke early in the second.
Former quarter-finalist Goffin nearly claimed Zverev’s serve in the fourth game but the Zverev held firm to close out the match in straight sets.
In women’s singles, Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova overcame American Katie Volynets 0-6, 6-1, 6-4, while 11th seed Danielle Collins was beaten by Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic 6-7, 7-5, 6-4.
Women’s ninth seed and 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko also became an early casualty, losing 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 to Dane Clara Tauson.
