wozniacki backs kuznetsova
Former top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki considers Svetlana Kuznetsova the favorite for their fourth-round match at the French Open on Sunday. Wozniacki, the 11th-seeded Dane, advanced to the final eight after beating American teen CiCi Bellis 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. This sets up a 14th meeting with the eighth-seeded Kuznetsova, who won the French Open in 2009. Although Wozniacki leads the Russian 7-6 overall, it will be their first match on clay. "We have had a lot of crazy matches in the past, and some thrillers," Wozniacki said. "She obviously loves the clay. I would give a little bit of the favoritism to her, but at the same time I feel like I have been playing well." Bellis has, too, and Wozniacki predicted a bright future for the 18-year-old from California. "I have a lot of respect for her game. I think we are going to see a lot more of her," Wozniacki said. "She's one of those youngsters I see working very hard and fighting for every point. She just keeps her head down. I like that about her."
Wawrinka in 4th round
Former champion Stan Wawrinka is through to the fourth round of the French Open with a 7-6 (2), 6-0, 6-2 win against Italian Fabio Fognini. "It was a very tough first set and after that I really got into it," said Wawrinka, the 2015 champion. "I started playing much quicker." The third-seeded Swiss next plays the winner of an all-French match between No. 15 Gael Monfils and No. 24 Richard Gasquet. Fognini briefly rallied in the third set for three break points in the sixth game. But Wawrinka saved all three, including an athletic volley at the net on the third one, to hold for a 4-2 lead. The 28th-seeded Fognini, who comes with a reputation for having a fiery temper, briefly grumbled at the chair umpire moments later. Wawrinka broke him in the next game and then served out the match. The three-time Grand Slam champion clinched victory on his third match point when Fognini swiped a forehand return into the net.
rains play spoilsport
Play has been suspended for the day at the French Open because of rain. Three men's singles third-round matches were halted in progress: No. 8 Kei Nishikori leads Chung Hyeon 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 0-3; Karen Khachanov leads No. 21 John Isner 7-6 (1); and No. 15 Gael Monfils leads No. 24 Richard Gasquet 6-5. Four women's singles matches never even got started before the showers came, including No. 2 Karolina Pliskova vs. Carina Witthoeft, and No. 5 Elina Svitolina vs. Magda linette.