French Open Day 5: Tracking the progress of seeded players

Fallen Seeds

#6 Li Na (China)

Australian Open runner-up and former champion here at Roland Garros, Li Na became the biggest casualty in the women’s draw at this year’s French Open. Li was beaten 5-7 6-3 6-2 by American Bethanie Mattek-Sands in their 2^nd Round clash.

The American is ranked 66^th in the world, and is more famous in tennis circles for her crazy outfits than for her game. Mattek-Sands usually turns out for games in knee-length socks and war paint under both her eyes. That paint was missing yesterday, but that did not stop her from knocking out the top Asian player on the women’s circuit.

Fancy a jacket with tennis balls on it? How about a leopard print dress? Those are precisely the reasons why the American has earned the title of tennis’ ‘Lady Gaga’.

The ones who pro ‘seed’ ed

Men’s Draw – Round 2

#1 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

The World No.1 demolished young Argentine Guido Pella 6-2 6-0 6-2. ‘Nole’ wrapped things up in 86 minutes and managed to finish his match and get back indoors before the rains hit.

#13 Kei Nishikori (Japan)

Japan’s No.1 was stretched to four sets by Slovakian Grega Zemlja. He lost the second set, but had it comfortable in the other three sets, winning 6-1 5-7 6-1 6-4.

#24 Benoit Paire (France)

Following his fine run to the semi-finals at the Rome Masters, Paire has been playing some really good clay court tennis. He beat Lukasz Kubot in straight sets 7-6 6-2 6-4 to move into the 3^rd round.

#26 Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria)

The up-and-coming Dimitrov took on a local Frenchman in Lucas Pouille. Barring a tight second set which went to a breaker, Dimitrov had an easy outing, winning 6-1 7-6 6-1, and booked a 3^rd Round meeting with Djokovic. ‘Baby Federer’, as he’s known due to the uncanny resemblance of his game with that of the Swiss star, beat Djokovic at the Madrid Masters earlier in the season.

#27 Fabio Fognini (Italy)

‘The Italian showman’, as he’s called, overcame Lukas Rosol, who famously beat Rafa Nadal at last year’s Wimbledon, in four sets 6-2 6-7 6-2 6-1. The clay court specialist will face Nadal in the next round, as the Spaniard is expected to come through the challenge of Daniel Klizan.

Women’s Draw – Round 2

#3 Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)

Current Aussie Open champion Azarenka continued to struggles with her serve, like she did in her 1^st round match. But inspite of those few lapses, she closed out the match in straight sets over Annika Beck of Germany 6-4 6-3.

#7 Petra Kvitova

It’s not been the best of times for Petra in Grand Slams. While she has done well at the Fed Cup, her Slam results have been down. She beat Shuai Peng in straight sets 6-4 6-3.

#9 Samantha Stosur (Australia)

The big-serving Australian got past local girl Kristina Mladenovic 6-4 6-3.

#17 Sloane Stephens (USA)

The teenager who rose to prominence after reaching the semis of the Aussie Open by beating Serena Williams is doing well here too. She’s into Round 3 with a 6-1 6-3 victory over fellow mate Vania King.

#18 Jelena Jankovic (Serbia)

Beat Garbine Muguruza of Spain 6-3 6-0.

#31 Alize Cornet (France)

Beat Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain 6-1 6-3.