Roland Garros round-up - Day Seven

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  • A view from above: The Philippe Chatrier court will host Rafael Nadal vs Leonardo Mayer today.

    Sport360°'s tennis expert Reem Abulleil is in Paris for the 2014 French Open and will be providing regular updates throughout the tournament on this 'Live at Roland Garros' page.

    So for all the latest breaking news, photos, social media activity, and everything else Roland Garros-related, this is the place to be… (timings below are Paris local time, two hours behind UAE time)

    21:41 They're calling it a day here in Paris. Both matches suspended for darkness. Verdasco leading Gasquet 6-3, 6-2, 2-2 on Chatrier, Kohlschreiber-Murray locked at 6-3, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-7 on Lenglen.

    19:52 German Andrea Petkovic makes the second week of a Slam for the first time in three years. Overcomes Kristina Mladenovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Welcome back Petko!

    18:35 Rafael Nadal says he felt his back bothering him since the second round which is why he's been serving particularly slow in the last two rounds. Says he's hoping it's nothing serious.

    17:49 Gael Monfils battles past Fabio Fognini, who gave the crowd the middle finger, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 0-6, 6-2 to make the fourth round. The French No23 seed awaits Guillermo Garcia-Lopez or Donald Young in the last 16.

    15:25 On his Roland Garros main draw debut, 23-year-old Serbian Dusan Lajovic reaches the fourth round with victory over Jack Sock.

    Here's a photo he just posted on his Facebook page:

    Icebath Selfie with my Physio Stefan Düll Sports-Physiotherapy after a big win at Roland Garros #FrenchOpen #RG14 #Last16 #Idemoooo #SamoNapred

    15:13 Crushing victories for Jelena Jankovic and Sara Errani over Sorana Cirstea and Julia Glushko (respectively) to set up a fourth round against one another – a match that could possible break the record of number of shots in one rally.

    14:39 Look who's here to catch some tennis on Chatrier… Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg. Looks like he's a Rafa fan!

    Out at this weekend! The Boss is up next here in Philippe Chatrier. Cant wait!

    14:30 Svetlana Kuznetsova takes out 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 6-7, 6-1, 9-7 to move into the fourth round, where she plays Lucie Safarova. Kvitova hit 65 unforced errors.

    14:05 Lucie Safarova posts her fifth consecutive victory over Ana Ivanovic to send the 2008 champion packing. Over on Chatrier, Petra Kvitova saves two match points to level for 6-6 in the final set against Svetlana Kuznetsova.

    13:30 Simona Halep in good spirits as she flies into the fourth round, where she faces Sloane Stephens. Says she's improving her English by reading Harry Potter. Well it's definitely improved compared to last year.

    Ivanovic drops first set to Safarova who is killing her with her forehand. Ivanovic lost her last four matches to Safarova. Seems like a bad match-up for the Serb.

    ** Sloane Stephens is through to her SIXTH consecutive Grand Slam second week. The longest streak amongst active WTA players.

    ** Looks like the juniors have arrived. Lots of teenagers are roaming around the grounds as they get ready for the junior (13-18 years old) tournament which kicks off tomorrow.

    12:37 After a lengthy off-court medical timeout for Kvitova, the Czech reappears with heavy strapping above her right thigh. Play resumes.

    12:25 Petra Kvitova aced to take the first set tiebreak but then double-faulted to get broken in the opening game of the second set against Svetlana Kuznetsova. It's the battle between two unpredictable and perhaps underachieving former Grand Slam champions.

    ** Sloane Stephens and Simona Halep both storm into the fourth round with routine wins over Ekaterina Makarova (the floral dress is finally gone) and the double-hyphenated Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor.

    ** Bonjour a tout! Sunny morning here in Paris and we're ready to wrap up week 1.

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