Sinner Crushes Lehecka as American Women Shine at the French Open
In a stunning display of dominance, world number one Jannik Sinner left Czech player Jiri Lehecka reeling with a decisive 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 victory in the third round of the French Open. The match unfolded under the grey skies of Roland Garros, where Sinner’s relentless attack left fans in disbelief as he won the first 11 games without reply.
“I think in early stages of Grand Slams it’s good that you don’t spend too much time on court if you have the chance,” Sinner reflected after his commanding performance. “Matches like this can change quickly, so it’s important to stay focused.”
With this victory, Sinner sets up a highly anticipated clash with Andrey Rublev, who advanced after Frenchman Arthur Fils withdrew due to injury.
As the action continued, Novak Djokovic also made headlines, capturing his 99th win at Roland Garros with a straight-sets victory over Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic. Amid the celebrations for Paris St Germain’s Champions League triumph next door, Djokovic remained focused, dispatching Misolic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, and is now poised to face Britain’s Cameron Norrie in his quest for a historic 25th Grand Slam title.
Meanwhile, the American women showcased their resilience, with Jessica Pegula overcoming former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in a hard-fought three-set match. Pegula, the third seed, rallied after dropping the first set to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. She will next face Lois Boisson, who triumphed in an all-French encounter.
Coco Gauff, the second seed, had a challenging match against Marie Bouzkova but emerged victorious with a 6-1, 7-6(3) win. Madison Keys also fought through adversity, saving three match points to defeat compatriot Sofia Kenin 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. With these victories, eight American players have made it to the last 16, matching a record set in 1985.
On the men’s side, Alexander Zverev continued his strong showing, reaching the fourth round for the eighth consecutive year by defeating Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-1. Zverev will face Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor next.
In a remarkable display, 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva dominated Kazakh Yulia Putintseva 6-3, 6-1, attributing her success to a “lucky charm” drawing from a young fan. Andreeva’s win marks her as the youngest woman to achieve ten singles victories at Roland Garros since Martina Hingis.
