Welcome to the French Open briefing, where The Athletic provides insights into the ongoing tournament stories. During the second day of the quarterfinals, both the weather and the clay surfaced as primary challenges.
Impact of Wind on the Quarterfinals at Roland Garros
On Court Philippe-Chatrier, Aryna Sabalenka and Diana Shnaider faced strong winds, which made the clay courts unpredictable and difficult to play on. Sabalenka, after losing to the No. 25 seed, expressed confusion about why the roof remained open in such conditions. Shnaider described the conditions as challenging, noting that it disrupted the game considerably.
The wind was so strong there was no clay left, making it hard to slide.
The tournament organizers decided to close the roof later during the men’s match between Félix Auger-Aliassime and Flavio Cobolli, citing possible rain as the reason. The contrasting approaches to closing the roof have sparked discussions, given its influence on gameplay.
Roland Garros rules prioritize keeping the roof open, shutting it for wind only in extreme conditions. With varying policies on forecasted rain, discrepancies such as during a previous Alcaraz-Musetti semifinal arose. The mechanism is affected by wind speeds, only operable under 60km/h, irrespective of other weather factors.
Tactics in Windy Conditions
Players had to adjust their tactics based on the wind’s direction. Sabalenka initially adapted well, delaying serves to navigate the gusts. Nonetheless, she admitted a mental struggle impacted her performance. Similarly, Anna Kalinskaya, who also played in challenging weather, mentioned issues with her serve, requiring adaptations.
Shnaider noted both players faced the same conditions, using the winds strategically, especially after experiencing Sabalenka’s vulnerabilities in similar past scenarios. These conditions, while part of outdoor sports, brought additional mental challenges.
Men’s Quarterfinals: A Tale of Triumph and Defeat
In the men’s matches, Flavio Cobolli achieved a breakthrough by defeating Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime. Auger-Aliassime initially led amid windy conditions, yet struggled once the roof was shut. Cobolli capitalized on this change, winning after nearly three and a half hours.
Auger-Aliassime expressed his disappointment post-match, finding current moments in his career challenging. Conversely, Cobolli’s victory, marking his first Grand Slam semifinal, was a significant career milestone. Cobolli’s popularity on the ATP Tour and his consistent high-quality performance were highlighted.
Tragically, the other quarterfinal between Matteo Arnaldi and Matteo Berrettini concluded early due to Berrettini’s hip injury. Despite his historical injuries, Berrettini regarded his quarterfinal appearance as a positive takeaway.
Players to Watch: Up Next
Upcoming women’s semifinals include matches between Marta Kostyuk and Mirra Andreeva, followed by Diana Shnaider against Maja Chwalińska. Each match will test players in unique ways, influenced by their previous Grand Slam experiences and current tournament performances.
The ongoing tales from Roland Garros continue to unfold with each exhilarating play, highlighting both the physical and psychological demands on participants.