By Shrivathsa Sridhar
PARIS (Reuters) – Aryna Sabalenka roared into the French Open fourth round on Friday but the Belarusian world number two steered clear of questions on politics amid the war in Ukraine by skipping her post-match press conference citing mental health reasons.
Twice champion Novak Djokovic was later given a thorough examination of his physical and mental toughness by Spanish 29th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina but the Serbian pulled through with a 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 6-2 victory.
Sabalenka had been asked following her second-round victory earlier this week about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and her own country’s role as a staging ground for Moscow’s troops and said on Friday she did not feel safe in that press conference.
She added that her decision not to take part in a press conference was supported by the French Open organisers, who said they would not fine her, and the second seed instead had an interaction with a hand-picked group of reporters.
“After my match (on Wednesday) I spoke with the media like I normally do,” Sabalenka told the reporters after beating Russian Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2 6-2.
“I know they still expect some questions that are more about the politics and not so much about my tennis.
“For many months now I have answered these questions at tournaments and been very clear in my feelings and my thoughts. These questions do not bother me after my matches.
“I know that I have to provide answers to the media on things not related to my tennis or my matches, but on Wednesday I did not feel safe in the press conference.”
PEGULA FALTERS
World number three Jessica Pegula had never beaten Elise Mertens in two previous meetings and the American’s hopes of snapping that run to remain on track for a maiden Grand Slam trophy ended in disappointment with a 6-1 6-3 defeat.
The 29-year-old Pegula particularly struggled against the versatility of Mertens, who ran her ragged with some delightful sliced forehands, drops, lobs and deep shots to breeze through the match in 82 minutes.
Daria Kasatkina was even quicker across the finish line against another American as the ninth seed dropped only one game in her win over Peyton Stearns.
“I have to be quick because I’m not that powerful like many girls,” Kasatkina explained. “Physically I’m not that gifted, so I have to be quick. I have to find ways to win, to survive.
“So I have to do it with my legs, with the brain, and try to squeeze the maximum I can.”
Last year’s semi-finalist Kasatkina will need to show her best form again in the next round where she will meet former world number three Elina Svitolina after the Ukrainian beat Russian Anna Blinkova 2-6 6-2 7-5.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 2021 runner-up, got off to a slow start before finishing strong to down 24th seed Anastasia Potapova 4-6 6-3 6-0 to book a clash with Mertens.
Russian 11th seed Karen Khachanov moved into the fourth round by stopping Australian wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis, but it was the end for his childhood friend and seventh seed Andrey Rublev who was beaten 5-7 0-6 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 by Lorenzo Sonego.
Lorenzo Musetti gave Italian fans more reason to celebrate on their national day with a 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory over 14th seed Cameron Norrie, although Fabio Fognini lost to Sebastian Ofner 5-7 6-3 7-5 1-6 6-4.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz will play Denis Shapovalov in the evening session.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Paris, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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