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Key events
*Minnen 2-6 0-4 Rybakina (denotes server) Minnen is posing question after question for the world No 4 but she seemingly has all the answers. Despite the one receiving the serve, it is Rybakina who is making her opponent move all across the court with strong forehands and dropshots. Once again, it is break point and Rybakina deals with the second serve quickly.
Minnen 2-6 0-3 Rybakina* (denotes server)
The games in which Rybakina serve end much more quickly with a few aces to wrap things up.
Nine games in a row with wins for Rybakina in this match. Minnen is not able to get a sniff.
We get a quick shot of the other courts in Paris and they’re all drenched because of the rain. Games have been pushed back to 12.15pm local time.
*Minnen 2-6 0-2 Rybakina (denotes server) Rybakina is, of course, known as a big hitter and accurate server. But she has recently been adding these precise drop shots to her game that have made her much more well rounded. Minnen just can’t keep up.
Minnen 2-6 0-1 Rybakina* (denotes server) Wow! Great effort from Minnen. Rybakina hits her shots all over the court but the Belgian twists her body and manages to return every single ball, her last backhand flying over Rybakina to the baseline.
But Rybakina is keeping her at bay and only allows her opponent to briefly get her hopes up before a few flying aces to take the first game of the second set.
Rybakina takes the first set 6-2
Minnen isn’t down and out yet as her varied shots finally get the better of Rybakina. The crowd cheers her on as the underdog but the latter brings out a beautiful drop shot and after a couple of powerful forehands, she wraps up the set in dominant fashion. Think the world No 4 just needed a couple of extra minutes to warm up after those six unforced errors in a row.
Minnen 2-5 Rybakina* (*denotes server) Great from Minnen early on who sends Rybakina the wrong way on a return. She then hits back with a great slice to try to move Rybakina around but the world No 4 is better at that game and Minnen can only watch as the ball flies past her.
Minnen is playing better as she tries to vary her shots. At 40-30 she plays a nice drop shot, but again Rybakina is able to anticipate it and win the point. She then wins the advantage and wraps up the game with ease.
*Minnen 2-4 Rybakina (*denotes server) After getting some advice from her coach, Minnen tries to longer serves but annoyingly for her, Rybakina’s strike zone is so large given her stature. It takes real precision to hit her weak areas. The world No 4 wins that game without her opponent winning a singe point.
Minnen 2-3 Rybakina* (*denotes server) A couple of quick aces wrap up this game incredibly quickly. Rybakina is known for her incredible serve that is extremely difficult to defend, a lesson that Minnen is learning in real time.
*Minnen 2-2 Rybakina (*denotes server) Minnen’s second serve lets her down early on but some good play from both players gets us at 40-40. A short rally ends in Rybakina netting a volley, but she gains the advantage after taking advantage of Minnen’s poor positioning. It is a break back and we’re all tied.
Minnen 2-1 Rybakina* (*denotes server) Rybakina is on the board! She finishes it quick after returning back to back serves with incredible pace.
A reminder of some of the notable matches scheduled for today:
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Felipe Alves v Casper Ruud – 12:15pm
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Katie Boulter v Paula Badosa – 1:15pm
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Erika Andreeva v Aryna Sabalenka – 14:15pm
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Dan Evans v Holger Rune – 14:30pm
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Novak Djokovic v Pierre-Hugues Herbert – 7:30pm
Right now, Minnen v Rybakina is the only match in action due to the rainy weather in Paris.
*Minnen 2-0 Rybakina (*denotes server) Extraordinary. The first six points of this match were unforced errors by the world No 4. And after finally getting a couple points on the board she then nets a shot and seems to lose her rhythm again. Minnen then uses some tricky shots near the net to round out the game.
Minnen 1-0 Rybakina* (*denotes server) A very ropey start for Rybakina with four unforced errors.
Preamble
Good morning all! Bienvenue to Paris for day three of the French Open. Some big names are in action this morning, so lets not waste any more time.
Elena Rybakina, the world No 4, is warming up for her opening match of the tournament. She takes on Belgium’s Greet Minnen. Tuesday’s full order of play can be viewed here.
