French doubles, duels of prodigies or earthlings: our advice for this Saturday at Roland-Garros

2023-06-03 07:42:06

The first of the good news concerns the weekend weather above the courts of Roland-Garros. As since the beginning of the fortnight, it promises to be radiant on Saturday as on Sunday. No clouds on the horizon, bright sunshine and temperatures that will rise to 26 degrees in the shade. For all visitors, don’t forget sunscreen. The forecasts of Météo France are also announced to be similar until the conclusion of this edition of 2023, which should therefore not suffer a rainy day.

The weather update done, let’s talk about tennis. Since Thursday evening and the elimination of Arthur Rinderknech, no more French people are still involved in the single tables for men or women. As for the big posters expected in this Roland-Garros 2023, they will have to be waited for between Tuesday and Friday, before the finals of next weekend. In the meantime, here are the names to follow, whether you are on the main courts or on the annexes.

French still there!

But who said that the Tricolors had disappeared? For spectators holding tickets for the annex courts, take out your flags and go to court 6, around 12:30 p.m. The pair Alizé Cornet and Diane Parry, holder of an invitation, face in the second round the heads of series 4 of the table. In men’s doubles, it’s on court 7 that it will happen, at the very end of the afternoon, with the presence of Édouard Roger-Vasselin and his Mexican teammate Santiago Gonzalez for their 3rd round. Finally on court 9, two mixed doubles: the pair Elixiane Lechemia-Albano Olivetti first, then the pair Léolia Jeanjean-Jonathan Eysseric.

The Mirra Andreeva phenomenon

Everything is going very, very quickly with the Russian player. The ball as his career start. So to attend a little piece of the story of a future great champion announced, meet at the beginning of the afternoon for the lucky ticket holders on the Suzanne-Lenglen court. 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva won the Roland-Garros qualifiers and is playing her first Grand Slam matches in Paris. After two successes, here she is in the 3rd round against the American Coco Gauff, not much older (19 years old), finalist on Parisian soil in 2022. A clash between prodigies not to be missed.

Real earthlings: Jarry and Etcheverry

To see beautiful tennis on clay, go to courts 7 and 14 thanks to the presence of Nicolás Jarry (Chilean) and Tomas Martin Etcheverry (Argentinian). The first faces Marcos Giron (United States); the second faces a big chunk with Borna Coric (Croatian, seeded 15). But the two South Americans love the surface and could surprise us. Jarry, 27, has won his three career titles on clay, including two this year at home in Santiago, then in Geneva (Switzerland). Etcheverry, 23, has less experience but reached the final in Santiago against… Jarry. They are waiting for you to see play, slips and sweat.

Grigor Dimitrov, the 30-something is always hungry

Ex-world number 3 (in November 2017), the Bulgarian has been discreet on the ATP circuit in recent years. Aged 32, Grigor Dimitrov still has ambitions. Especially at Roland-Garros where he never passed the round of 16 (2020). This Saturday, the 28th in the world faces Daniel Altmaier (Germany), 79th in the world, in the last match of the day on the Suzanne-Mathieu court. Finalist in Geneva (Switzerland) on clay this season, Dimitrov remains a spectacular player with a one-handed backhand. Watch out for his opponent, who defeated the Italian Jannik Sinner (world No. 8) in the previous round after a marathon of five sets and 5h26 of play. As a reminder, ticket holders for the adjoining courts can access the last ring of the court Suzanne-Mathieu.