Day 6 at Roland Garros: Shelton, Paul compete, Sabalenka shines in third round Por Maria
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The 2025 French Open in Paris reached its sixth day on May 30, with the third round of singles matches kicking off at the Roland Garros complex. Players like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, Ben Shelton, and Tommy Paul took to the courts, with Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova securing victories to set up a fourth-round showdown. Sabalenka, the world number 1, dominated Olga Danilović, while Anisimova outlasted Clara Tauson in a tight contest. Held on clay courts, the tournament drew thousands to the Philippe-Chatrier stadium, with matches broadcast on TNT Sports and Discovery+. The event continues to showcase rising stars and unexpected outcomes, keeping fans engaged for the upcoming rounds.
Sunny weather in Paris, following days of rain, influenced player performance on the clay, which demands precise ball control. The day also saw Qinwen Zheng, the 2024 Paris Olympic champion, advance to the next round.
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- Day’s highlights: Sabalenka, Świątek, and Anisimova stood out in the women’s third round.
- Playing conditions: Clear skies enhanced precision on the clay courts.
- Attendance: Approximately 15,000 fans filled the Philippe-Chatrier stadium.
Sabalenka’s strong performance
Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked player, cruised past Olga Danilović 6-1, 6-3 in just 1 hour and 19 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The Belarusian, aiming for her first Roland Garros title, broke her opponent’s serve early, maintaining control throughout. Her display strengthens her status as a favorite, building on her 2023 semifinal run.
Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova in the fourth round, a matchup generating significant buzz. Anisimova, the 16th seed, battled past Clara Tauson, winning 7-5, 7-6(5) in a tiebreak. The American, known for her powerful forehand, showed resilience to secure her spot.
- Sabalenka’s stats: 12 winners and only 8 unforced errors against Danilović.
- Anisimova’s performance: 10 aces and 34 winners in her victory over Tauson.
- Head-to-head: Sabalenka leads Anisimova 2-1 in prior encounters.
Women’s third-round highlights
Beyond Sabalenka, other top women players progressed. Iga Świątek, the fifth seed and four-time champion, competed on Court Philippe-Chatrier, reinforcing her dominance on clay. The Pole, renowned for her technical prowess, won convincingly, staying focused on adding another title.
Qinwen Zheng, the eighth seed, also advanced to the fourth round, defeating Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko in straight sets. Zheng, who won Olympic gold in Paris in 2024, displayed consistency against the 18-year-old Mboko, who impressed despite the loss.
Men’s tournament focus
In the men’s draw, Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul were among the players in action on day six. Shelton, the 15th seed, faced Kei Nishikori in his first third-round appearance at Roland Garros. The American, who outlasted Lorenzo Sonego in five sets in the first round, aims to solidify his rise in the ATP rankings. Paul, the 12th seed, also competed, carrying momentum from American successes like Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula the previous day.
Elsewhere, Holger Rune and Quentin Halys delivered a thrilling match. Halys, a French wildcard, took the first set 6-4, but Rune fought back, leveling the second set. The home crowd’s support for Halys created an electric atmosphere at Philippe-Chatrier.
- Shelton’s match: The American faced Nishikori, a former world number 4, in a generational clash.
- Paul’s form: Paul aimed to maintain consistency after his second-round win.
- Halys’ upset bid: The Frenchman challenged Rune with strong crowd backing.
Weather conditions and gameplay
After days of rain and wind, sunny skies prevailed on the sixth day, altering the clay court dynamics. On warmer days, the ball travels faster, requiring greater control. Players like Świątek and Carlos Alcaraz, who excel with topspin, benefit from these conditions, as spin keeps the ball in play.
Athletes adjusted strategies, with some increasing string tension on their rackets to counter the clay’s bounce. The higher ball trajectory favored players with heavy forehands, such as France’s Arthur Fils, who won a dramatic match the previous day.
Tribute to Rafael Nadal
The 2025 tournament opened with a special ceremony honoring Rafael Nadal, the 14-time Roland Garros champion, on its first day. Held at Court Philippe-Chatrier, the event featured Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. Fans wore orange “Merci Rafa” shirts, and Nadal watched a video montage of his career highlights.
The tribute, staged after Qinwen Zheng’s win and before Lorenzo Musetti’s match, celebrated Nadal’s legacy. The Spaniard claimed his last Paris title in 2022, and his 14 victories remain unmatched in the tournament’s history.
- Attendees: Federer, Djokovic, and Murray joined the ceremony.
- Crowd: 15,000 spectators participated at Philippe-Chatrier.
- Nadal’s record: 14 titles from 2005 to 2022.
Upsets and eliminations
The 2025 French Open has seen its share of surprises. On the previous day, Casper Ruud, a 2023 finalist, withdrew against Nuno Borges due to a knee injury. Stefanos Tsitsipas, a former finalist, fell in the second round to Matteo Gigante, ranked outside the top 150. These upsets paved the way for new faces, like Brazil’s 18-year-old João Fonseca, who defeated Hubert Hurkacz in the first round.
In the women’s draw, Emma Navarro, the ninth seed, suffered a 6-0, 6-1 loss to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Taylor Fritz, the fourth seed in the men’s draw, was also defeated by Daniel Altmaier, underscoring the tournament’s unpredictability.
Tournament structure and prizes
Roland Garros, located in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, is the only Grand Slam played on clay, featuring 20 courts. The main venue, Court Philippe-Chatrier, holds 15,000 spectators and gained a retractable roof in 2020. Court Suzanne-Lenglen, the second-largest, added a roof in 2024, ensuring play during rain.
The 2025 prize money increased, with men’s and women’s singles champions earning €2.55 million each, up from €2.4 million in 2024. The trophies, Coupe des Mousquetaires (men’s) and Coupe Suzanne Lenglen (women’s), honor the tournament’s storied history.
- Capacity: Philippe-Chatrier seats 15,000 fans.
- Prize money: €2.55 million for singles champions.
- Trophies: Named after the “Four Musketeers” and Suzanne Lenglen.
Emerging young talent
Young players have made waves at Roland Garros. Victoria Mboko, an 18-year-old Canadian, competed fiercely against Zheng despite her defeat. Mirra Andreeva, a 2024 semifinalist, moved forward with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Ashlyn Krueger. Brazil’s João Fonseca continues to turn heads, boosting hopes for South American tennis after his first-round upset.
These players represent the sport’s next generation, vying for attention in a tournament long dominated by veterans like Djokovic, playing his 21st Roland Garros, and Świątek, a four-time champion at 24.
Broadcast and fan engagement
The tournament is broadcast by TNT Sports and Discovery+ in the UK, TNT and Max in the US, and France.tv Sport in France. Fan interaction is encouraged, with emails to live@theathletic.com allowing spectators to submit questions and comments.
X posts reflect fan excitement, spotlighting Sabalenka’s win and the Halys-Rune matchup. The vibrant Paris atmosphere, with enthusiastic crowds cheering local players, cements Roland Garros as a pinnacle of global tennis.
- Coverage: TNT Sports, Discovery+, and France.tv Sport air the event.
- Fan interaction: Emails and social media boost engagement.
- X buzz: Posts highlight Sabalenka, Świątek, and Halys.
