Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva produced the biggest win of her career, fighting back from a set down to stun the Australian Open champion 3–6, 6–1, 7–6. The unseeded Ukrainian showed tremendous composure in the deciding tie-break, dominating it 10–4 to book her place in the next round.

The result sent shockwaves through the women’s draw and added to what has already been a tournament full of surprises in Paris.

Yuliia Starodubtseva. Photo: Pierre Froget/FFT

Starodubtseva later described the victory as a dream moment and admitted it was difficult to believe she had managed to defeat one of the favourites for the title.

“Honestly, it’s hard to describe – I’m super happy,” said Starodubtseva. “Elena is one of the top players and has had an incredible year. 

“I expected her to come back. You can never think it’s going to be easy, even when I was 3–0 up in the deciding set, I still felt it wouldn’t be simple.

“It was a very hard third set and a very tough match, but I got it done. I’m very proud of myself because it took a lot of mental and physical strength.”

Earlier in the day, four-time champion Iga Swiatek of Poland was also pushed hard by 20-year-old Czech youngster Sara Bejlek. However, the former world number one raised her level at exactly the right time to secure a hard-fought 6–2, 6–3 victory.

Seventh seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine also progressed comfortably after brushing aside Spain’s Kaitlin Quevedo 6–0, 6–4 in a clinical display.

Iga Swiatek. Photo: Jean-Baptiste Autissier/FFT

There was another upset in the women’s draw when Argentina’s Solana Sierra stunned former finalist and 13th seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy, 3–6, 6-4, 6-3. It proved to be a memorable result for Sierra on an otherwise difficult day for the Argentine contingent on the Paris clay.

In the men’s singles, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic was also tested in his second-round clash against France’s Valentin Royer. The Serbian superstar had to dig deep before eventually closing out the contest in four sets, 6–3, 6–2, 6–7, 6–3, to advance to the third round.

Djokovic admitted afterwards that the Frenchman pushed him all the way and forced him to rely on his vast experience.

“I’m relieved. Obviously, it feels different when you win the match. It was a very important victory in difficult conditions for both players,” said Djokovic. “It was very hot, and I think Valentin deserves a lot of credit for his performance today.

“It was a very tough match, and a challenge right from the start. It’s normal for things to become tricky in conditions and an atmosphere like that. I hope I don’t have to play another French player again until the end of the tournament.

Alexander Zvererv. Photo: Jean-Baptiste Autissier/FFT

“Experience helps a little – actually, a lot. In the heat of the moment, you have to give everything you’ve got and stay focused on every point, but that’s easier said than done.

“Valentin received a lot of support from the crowd, which made it difficult for me. On match point in the tie-break, I was too passive, and he deserved to win that third set. In the fourth set, my break was enough, and I’m very happy to have managed to come through.”

Second seed and Olympic champion Alexander Zverev proved too strong for Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac, cruising to a convincing 6–4, 6–2, 6–2 victory.

Coco Gauff. Photo: Philippe Montigny/FFT

Thursday’s action promises more blockbuster clashes, with world number one Jannik Sinner set to face Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the men’s singles, while fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada takes on another Argentine, Roman Andres Burruchaga.

In the women’s draw, world number one Aryna Sabalenka will meet France’s Elsa Jacquemot, defending champion Coco Gauff of the United States faces Egypt’s Mayar Sherif, while sixth seed Amanda Anisimova, also of the USA, takes on Austria’s Julia Grabher.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm