MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion Iga Swiatek celebrated her 23rd birthday by brushing aside Marie Bouzkova, 6-4, 6-2, to reach the French Open Last 16 on Friday, while Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz both powered into the second week.
Alcaraz got the better of Sebastian Korda in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, to edge closer to a semifinal meeting with Sinner, who saw off Russian Pavel Kotov, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
“Sebastian Korda is a great player and a really good ball striker,” said Alcaraz.
Sixth seed Andrey Rublev suffered a shock exit at the hands of unheralded Italian Matteo Arnaldi, 7-6 (8-6), 6-2, 6-4, losing his cool repeatedly as anger at his performance boiled over.
Swiatek had to save a match point against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in a second-round thriller, but she was never in trouble against Czech Bouzkova.
“I feel good physically, I had a day off yesterday,” said Swiatek.
Coco Gauff held off a late fightback from Australian Open semifinalist Dayana Yastremska to win, 6-2, 6-4, in the first match of the day on Court Philippe Chatrier.