French Open lost another marquee name on Sunday as Serena Williams was knocked out by Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina 6-3, 7-5 in the fourth round.
Earlier in the day, Victoria Azarenka had lost in the fourth round while 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer pulled out of the claycourt major due to a draining battle the previous day.
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Rybakina, 21, broke the famous Serena serve five times in the match to reach the Round of 16 at a major for the very first time.
The win of a lifetime 🎤
What a performance, Elena!#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/d7qSSWOvn5
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2021
The result means Serena Williams will have to wait longer for her record-equalling 24th major. The 39-year-old is currently one short of Margaret Court’s all-time record of singles majors.
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“I was nervous. But I am just happy I managed with my thoughts and won today,” Rybakina said during the court-side interview.
Azarenka ousted
Rybakina will take on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the next round.
Russian world number 32 Pavlyuchenkova rolled back the years as she reached the quarterfinals of the French Open for the first time since 2011 by beating Azarenka 5-7, 6-3, 6-2.
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The 31st seed sent down 44 winners in an attacking display of tennis on a sun-kissed Philippe Chatrier court.
“It’s incredible that I’m still playing tennis 10 years after, so it comes as a bit of a surprise to me. I fought on every point and I’m really happy to go through,” said Pavlyuchenkova.
Medvedev sets up Tsitsipas clash
Daniil Medvedev defeated Cristian Garin 6-2, 6-1, 7-5 on Sunday to set up a quarterfinal clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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Medvedev, who recorded his first win at Roland Garros this week, has been in impressive form on the red dirt this year and has dropped only one set en route the last eight.
Another Grand Slam showdown for this pair 🤜🤛
Medvedev meets Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals! #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ZQCE9Kd2sM
— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 6, 2021
Stefanos Tsitsipas recorded a Tour-leading 37th victory of the season as he cruised past Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 7-5.
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Even though Medvedev leads their head-to-head 6-1, including a semifinal win at the Australian Open, the Greek will be the favourite going into their clash on clay.
Tsitsipas had reached the semifinals of the French Open last year.
