DAY five at the Roland Garros saw the second day of Round of 64 action, with the women’s draw continuing to produce some intriguing results. Three more seeds fell to lower ranked opposition as the draw continues to heat up, with second seed Karolina Pliskova upset in straight sets by a tenacious Jelena Ostapenko, while both Elena Rybakina (14th seed) and Sloane Stephens (29th) were disposed off in three-setters despite both making a second set comeback.

The battle between 2017 Roland Garros champion Ostapenko and Pliskova was always going to be tough, but very little expected it to be complete in 69 minutes with a 6-4 6-2 result that saw Ostapenko reign supreme. With Pliskova known for her strong serve, Ostapenko said she focused on ensuring she returned serve well and did not allow Pliskova to get the upper hand.

“I knew I have to return well today because she obviously has one of the best serves on tour,” Ostapenko said post-match. “I think I was returning very well today. Also, I had to hold my serve, which I did pretty good, just once in the first set I didn’t hold my serve.

Return and hold serve she did, winning 22 of a possible 30 points off her first serve at 73 per cent and backing it up with a 54 per cent ratio on the second serve, well above Pliskova’s 30 per cent winning rate on the second. Ostapenko hit 27 winners for 19 unforced errors, winning 54 per cent of her receiving points in a solid output.

“I think I was playing good today,” Ostapenko said. “I knew it was going to be a tough match, so I was trying to be very focused all match, playing my game. I tried to keep the ball in play to make sure I’m not missing and making too many unforced errors, but when I had the chance I was going for it.

“Obviously I knew she’s a great player so it’s going to be a tough match, but I think I played well today.”

While Pliskova credited Ostapenko’s effort, the Czech second seed was critical of her own game.

“I’m sure I could do much better,” Pliskova said. “I know that she can be tough if she’s playing well, but I think everything started with me. “I was definitely not playing great. “I think maybe same level as the match before, but of course she’s a much better player.”

Pliskova’s twin sister Kristyna did not fare much better, ousted in straight sets by 11th seed Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, while seventh seed Petra Kvitova ran away with a solid victory over Jasmine Paolini and fourth seed Sofia Kenin was challenged by Ana Bogdan with a slow start, eventually running away with the 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory. Aryna Sabalenka also got the chocolates over Daria Kasatkina, as did Petra Martic and Ons Jabeur. 

Rybakina had a tough one against hometown hero Fiona Ferro, while Ferro’s fellow countrywoman, 19-year-old Clara Burel also head through to the next round, though the duo’s French compatriot Alize Cornet was not quite as lucky going down in the second set tiebreaker to Zhang Shuai. Paula Badosa was strong in her victory over Stephens, with the American unable to string together another win and joined on the sidelines by Christina McHale, whereas Danielle Collins was much more effective to head through to the Round of 32 alongside Kenin. In the remaining matches, Irina Bara heads through to the next round by default after Alison van Uytvanck retired mid-match, Laura Siegemund overcame a 1-6 start to reign supreme over Julia Goerges, and 18-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez defeated Polona Hercog.