French Open: Swiatek fightback denies Zheng, Rune beats Tsitsipas – as it happened

Time to sign off for today, but we’ll have Tumaini Carayol’s reports from Roland Garros online shortly. Join us tomorrow for the first day of quarter-finals – including Novak Djokovic v Rafa Nadal, under the lights. Until then ...

Iga Swiatek speaks: “She [Zheng] is playing amazing tennis, she surprised me with her shots – I’m glad I could come back after a pretty frustrating first set.” On her first meeting with Pegula on clay, she says her preparation will be “much the same as any other match. Jessica is a pretty dangerous opponent. I will just focus and play my tennis, and hopefully it’ll be OK!”

Iga Swiatek gets the job done, and makes it 32 wins in a row – but relief might be the overriding emotion after losing the first set, then overcoming a third-set revival from an opponent struggling with injury. But the world No 1 advances, and will face Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals.

Swiatek 6-7, 6-0, 5-2 Zheng That’ll probably do it – from 30-0 down, Swiatek powers back to 30-all and then blasts a winner down the line. Zheng falters, a double-fault handing her opponent an insurance break.

Swiatek 6-7, 6-0, 4-2 Zheng Swiatek just has to keep ticking over here, try not to worry about her opponent’s fluctuating form, and serve out. She holds to love here, some clean hitting taking her two games from victory.

We’re at a strange place in this match – if you don’t count the tie-break, Swiatek has won 15 games to Zheng’s eight; but the qualifier is one break away from putting this match back on a knife-edge.

Swiatek 6-7, 6-0, 3-2 Zheng The qualifier is back in her groove now, earning a break point of her own with some hefty ground strokes – but netting a tame drop shot to pass up the chance. In the next game, Swiatek earns two break points, but is just a little too keen to get the job done – she rushes her shots, and Zheng holds.

Swiatek 6-7, 6-0, 2-1 Zheng Swiatek holds, but after losing eight games on the spin Zheng shows some terrific resistance in the next, hanging on in vain in a long rally, then landing an ace at break-point on her way to getting on the board. It’s not over yet!

The quarter-finals get under way from 12pm, Paris time, on Tuesday. Here’s the order of play on Chatrier:

Martina Trevisan vs Leylah Fernandez (17)
(18) Coco Gauff vs Sloane Stephens
(3) Alexander Zverev vs Carlos Alcaraz (6)
(1) Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal (5) – 8.45pm

Swiatek 6-7, 6-0, 1-0 Zheng Having got her leg strapped up, Zheng decides it’s not helping and peels the entire bandage off between points. That’s the second time I’ve seen that happen this week; Karolina Muchova did a similar thing. She is moving better but her game has fallen off some way from the first set, and Swiatek breaks again.

Sinner retires against Rublev, trailing 1-6, 6-4, 2-0! More disappointing injury news, as Jannik Sinner is forced to retire hurt, having made a dominant start against Andrey Rublev. The Russian will face either Marin Cilic or Daniil Medvedev, who meet in the night match.

Swiatek wins the second set 6-0! Well, this has been quite the contrast to the first set – after her medical timeout, Zheng is still moving awkwardly with her right thigh heavily strapped. She can’t pose Iga Swiatek many problems, and the world No 1 cruises to the set. All level – the question now is whether Zheng let that set go, or is too seriously hurt to compete for much longer.

Second set: Swiatek 6-7, 3-0 Zheng Is the top seed taking charge? She looks close to peak form here, breaking to love. Zheng calls for the trainer, pointing to a problem with her thigh.

Four-all in the second set between Rublev and Sinner, the Italian apparently managing those injury concerns.

Second set: Swiatek 6-7, 2-0 Zheng Swiatek is getting nothing cheaply on serve, and another long game sees her survive a break point before securing the hold as Zheng sends a return long.

Thanks, Luke. Niall here picking up our coverage. Swiatek headed off the court after losing that breaker, taking a notebook with her. When she returns, she breaks Zheng straight away to start the second set – a slight dip from her opponent proves enough as the world No 1 regroups.

Elsewhere, Andrey Rublev has lost the first set 6-1 to Italy’s Jannik Sinner, but the Italian called for a medical timeout before the second set, which Rublev currently leads 3-2.

Zheng wins the first set against Swiatek! 5-7 (7)

Hats off to her. Having saved five set points, Zheng finds one of her own. Swiatek just can’t shake her off! After a superb deep return of Swiatek’s serve and another fierce rally, Zheng eventually forces an error from her opponent, and she has the first set! That was a remarkable set of tennis and Swiatek’s 31-match winning run is looking in danger now. Unfortunately I have to leave it here, over to my colleagues to take you through the next bit.

Tiebreak: Swiatek 5-5 Zheng

The first-set dream is still alive for Zheng! Both players hitting at a very high level now. Zheng keeps coming back when it looks like Swiatek has the measure of her.

Tiebreak: Swiatek 5-2 Zheng

Another fierce exchange ends with the ball bouncing out off the net and Swiatek is closing in ...

Zheng goes 2-0 up in the breaker but Swiatek roars back into a 4-2 lead.

Tiebreak! Swiatek 6-6 Zheng

Zheng takes the game, what a cracking effort from her to withstand the relentless pressure that Swiatek is putting her under. From 3-0 up Swiatek is in a real dogfight here. It’s first to seven points in the tiebreaker for the first set, then.

Swiatek 6-5 Zheng

Now Zheng is forced to deuce on her own serve. She gains the advantage, only for a wonderful cross-court backhand by Swiatek to bring it back to deuce. On the next point, Swiatek pulls out pretty much every trick in the book, forcing Zheng back, but Zheng’s defence remains strong – she is finally worn down, though, and a volley from near the net brings up a fourth set point for the Polish player. Swiatek hits long for deuce, but another error by Zheng brings a fifth set point ... And Swiatek nets her return. Back to deuce again.

Swiatek 6-5 *Zheng (* denotes next server)

Zheng is hitting with an impressive amount of freedom and determination. She takes it to deuce on the Swiatek serve and is consistently forcing the world No 1 on to the back foot. It feels like Swiatek isn’t going to be able to overpower Zheng as she would with some other opponents ... anyway, as if to demonstrate that she’s thinking on her feet, Swiatek closes out the game with a nice angled drop volley with Zheng lurking behind the baseline. Zheng must serve to stay in this first set, a far more protracted affair than had looked in store half an hour ago. She had two break points but Swiatek managed to save them.

*Swiatek 5-5 Zheng (* denotes next server)

Swiatek smokes a fantastic forehand winner down the line for 15-0 but then hits a fraction long for 15-15. More ferocious hitting and Swiatek takes it to 15-30 ... but Zheng isn’t intimidated, and battles back to 30-30 with some sweet hitting followed by a well executed drop shot ... Zheng closes out the game in confident fashion and she is the player in the ascendancy at the moment. From 3-0 to Swiatek this is now a proper match.

Swiatek 5-4 *Zheng (* denotes next server)

Zheng, entirely deservedly, breaks back after exerting plenty of pressure on Swiatek’s serve – and saving three set points in the process. The players sit down for a drink and Swiatek looks up to her team again, clearly feeling uncomfortable with how this is unfolding just at the moment. It’s back on serve at 4-5.

Swiatek 5-3 Zheng

A couple of strange mishits from Swiatek early in the game, and one from Zheng too. Swiatek looks up at her team in bemusement, as if there has been some kind of system failure. But she gets straight back into it, forcing two set points with some powerful hitting. Zheng comes in behind a huge backhand and saves the first break point with a good volley and it’s soon deuce. However, Swiatek grapples back control and edges to set point again, her third, but she double faults for deuce yet again ...

*Swiatek 5-3 Zheng (* denotes next server)

Swiatek coughs up a couple of uncharacteristic errors and Zheng holds fairly comfortably, meaning her opponent can serve for the first set.

Correction, it’s Swiatek 5-2 *Zheng, of course.

Swiatek 5-2 *Zheng (* denotes next server)

At 15-30 Zheng has a big opportunity, with a chance to hit a winner down the line with he opponent out of position, but she sends it long. She hits fractionally long again on the next point, brining up game point for Swiatek. Once again, Zheng misjudges and hits long. That is a good hold from 15-30 by Swiatek, and she celebrates with a suitably enthusiastic yell. Zheng must serve to stay in the set.

*Swiatek 4-2 Zheng (* denotes next server)

Swiatek breaks again, as Zheng’s level drops a little, and the Polish world No 1 capitalises ruthlessly. She is back in control: can Zheng trouble her again in this next service game?

Tsitsipas, ever the charmer, had this to say following his defeat by Rune: “These kids are going to want to beat me badly because obviously they are chasing. I’m chasing too, but I’m at a different kind of position than they are. I’m hungry to beat them too. Now that they have beaten me I want payback.”

I hope he recognised the quality of Rune’s performance, too.

Swiatek 3-2 *Zheng (* denotes next server)

Seriously impressive from the Chinese player, who is starting to ask some serious questions of the world No 1 with some creative strokeplay. Swiatek gets a bad bounce on one point, and her frustration is obvious – perhaps exaggerated a little – but that shows the pressure she is being put under now. Zheng breaks back, and Swiatek has work to do.

The American, seeded 11, progresses into the last eight after an early scare.

*Swiatek 3-1 Zheng (* denotes next server)

An accomplished serve-volley rounds off a very impressive hold to love for Zheng.

The commentators tell us that in this winning run of Swiatek’s, she has inflicted no fewer than 14 sets to love, AKA bagels, on opponents. So Zheng will be happy to have avoided that – for now.

Swiatek 3-0 *Zheng (* denotes next server)

Swiatek, having saved two break points in the opening game, speeds into a 3-0 advantage in the first set. I would say it’s going to be a long afternoon for Zheng, but that wouldn’t be accurate if things continue in the same vein.

“What a victory for Holger Rune - who has one of the most old school Danish names possible. Only Dan Mark could have bettered it,” emails Lars Bøgegaard.

“Holger Danske (“Holger Danish” in English) is a mythical figure who wakes to his deed, when Denmark is in need. There’s a statue of him in the cellars of the castle Kronborg at Elsinore at the Øresund coast. And a Rune is an ancient Nordic letter used writing almost 2,000 years ago.

“Greetings from a proud compatriot in Copenhage.”

Thank you for getting in touch, Lars and thanks for the info. “Reading the runes” is an old saying for seeing into the future, in English, although it’s not one you hear much anymore.

A phenomenal win indeed for Holger Rune. Congratulations.

I should already have mentioned that Rune, after his wonderful win against Tsitsipas, will take on Casper Ruud (8) in the last eight.

Pegula is 5-3 up and serving for the match against Begu on Suzanne Lenglen.

Swiatek 1-0 *Zheng (* denotes next server)

Straight away it is clear that Zheng (ranked 74) isn’t intimidated by this occasion, or this opponent. She is going for her shots, and grabs a break point at 30-40 after a long rally. Swiatek, however, saves it with a fine cross-court winner, launching into a big forehand.

Zheng nabs another break point after Swiatek dumps the ball in the net, but Zheng returns the favour and it’s back to deuce. Zheng hits long on the next point, for advantage Swiatek, and the Polish No 1 works her opponent around the court to hold before hitting a winner down the line for 1-0.

Swiatek and Zheng are starting as we speak. The majority of the fans, having been captivated by Rune’s stunning win, have left the arena for a quick break. But no doubt they will be flooding back in soon.

Pegula (11) and Begu are duking it out in the third, decisive set of their fourth-round encounter on Suzanne Lenglen. Pegula is a break up and serving at 3-1.

Next up on Philippe Chatrier, of course, we have Swiatek v Zheng. The Polish women’s world No 1 has won an incredible 31 matches straight. Is there a more in-form, effective sportsperson on the planet at the moment?

Rune speaks: “I have an unbelievable feeling right now ... I was so nervous at the end but the crowd was amazing for me the whole match, and the whole tournament. I’m so grateful to be playing on this court.

“I was very nervous but also at the same time, I know if I go away from the [planned] tactic against such a player like Tsitsipas I’m going to lose for sure. I told myself just to keep in it, and play my plan also in the tough moments and it worked out so well at the end ... it’s so great to still be here.

“It was part of the plan to be aggressive as possible, play fast, and take time away from him ... and I really like playing the drop shots and it worked out pretty good, so I’m happy.

“I get so emotional when I talk about family and coaches ... but you know, we’re still in the quarter-finals, we didn’t win the tournament yet. My Mum, my whole team up there is why I’m here. Without them I wouldn’t be here today ... so thank you, guys.”

Lovely stuff - what a performance from the 19-year-old. Fearless is the wrong word, perhaps, but what bravery!

Reaction from Rune coming up ...

Another break point for Tsitsipas. Rune hammers an ace down the middle to save it. Rune comes to the net, next point, and smashes, and Tsitsipas produces a brilliant defensive stroke to keep the rally going, but Rune wins the point eventually and brings up match point ... Tsitsipas hits long on the next rally, and Rune is into the last eight at Roland Garros! Remarkable.

He is the first Dane to make the last eight in Paris since 1925, Simon Reed tells us on Eurosport.

Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 5-4 Tsitsipas

A double fault to open this crucial game for the youngster. He doesn’t look happy with that ... but then he produces out a wonderful winner down the line which is too good for Tsitsipas, even though he’s only a couple of metres away from it. On the next point, another fierce exchange, Tsitsipas nets from the baseline, to make it 30-15. The Greek hits straight back by crafting a nice forehand winner for the corner, wrong-footing Rune, and it’s 30-30. Rune then tries a winner down the line, which he has converted so often today, but it’s wide and break back point for Tsitsipas.

No matter ... Rune bangs an inside-out forehand for the corner and brings it back to deuce. Advantage, again, comes for Tsitsipas but Rune crushes a massive first serve which his opponent only just manages to get a racket on. What’s next?

*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 5-4 Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)

An easy hold for Tsitsipas, who isn’t going to roll over. And yet, Rune has the chance once again to serve for the biggest win of his career. Can he hold his nerve?

Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 5-3 *Tsitsipas (*denotes next server)

Tsitsipas produces a good drop shot to open the game for 0-15. Rune finds the net from behind the baseline, cross-court, for 0-30. And Tsitsipas eventually breaks back! Rune isn’t home yet. There is still work to do. But he will have another service game for the match, that much is sure.

*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 5-2 Tsitsipas

Just confirming the score. It’s 5-2 to Rune in the fourth and he’s a game away ...

*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 5-2 Tsitsipas

Another couple of sloppy errors helps it to 15-30 – and then a smart point from Rune brings him two break points, effectively two match points ... and Tsitsipas hits long! The quality of Rune’s hitting is just too much for him. The Dane is hitting deep and long and seeming to find the most awkward spots in the court for his opponent. He is one game away from a place in the last eight of the French Open!

Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 4-2 *Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas forces it to deuce on Rune’s serve. Then he saves a game point. Rune produces an intelligent winner next up, twice heading for his opponent’s forehand side and wrong-footing him when he was moving back to the centre of the court. He then clips a lovely looping winner down the line and holds aloft one hand as he seals the game. He was tested there and he came through. His Mum applauds from up in the stands.

Pegula is 4-1 up on Begu in their second set. Begu won the first 6-4.

*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 3-2 Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas is not a happy camper. He looks up at his team when it goes to 0-30. Rune has a look at his second serve but the return isn’t the best and Tsitsipas cracks a clean angled winner to the corner. However, Rune gets back in his face on the next point, working him around the court, and makes it 15-40. And then! Rune climbs into a massive first-serve return which is so powerful that Tsitsipas can only into edge it into the clay beneath his feet. Another break! Rune is running hot! He only needs to hold serve for the biggest win of his career.

Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 2-2 *Tsitsipas

A beautifully judged drop shot from Rune early in the game which Tsitsipas can only admire. Then a stunning drop volley, down low, from the Dane which Tsitsipas starts to move for but realises early on that it’s a lost cause. Tsitsipas then tries to whip a big forehand from the baseline but the ball comes off the frame of his racket and flies into the crowd. Rune holds.

*Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 1-2 Tsitsipas

A high level now. Rune has three break points – Tsitsipas saves them all – and eventually holds. That was a fierce deuce battle, though, and Rune is still in the ascendancy. Tsitsipas has raised himself since that limp end to the third set, but he didn’t really have any choice.

Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 1-1 *Tsitsipas

At 15-15 Rune goes to the drop shot again. Tsitsipas runs it down but Rune simple belts a double-handed backhand pass down the line. Rune makes it 40-15 with a similar shot which kisses the line, although Tsitsipas is nowhere near this one ... and the 19-year-old rounds off a very impressive hold with a forehand winner angled to the side of the court, which his opponent has not the faintest hope of getting near. Impressive.