Iga Swiatek celebrated her 23rd birthday with a routine victory against Marie Bouzkova in the third round of the French Open.
Swiatek was serenaded by the crowd with a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ on Court Philippe Chatrier after completing a 6-4 6-2 win.
The Pole, who is chasing a third consecutive French Open title, has now won seventeen matches in a row at Roland Garros.
She will now face Russia’s Anastasia Potapova, who defeated Wang Xinyu of China 7-5, 6-7 (6-8) 6-4.
Four-time major winner Swiatek had to save a match point against Japan’s Naomi Osaka before winning a three-set thriller in the final round.
However, it was a simpler affair against Bouzkova, with the world number one firing 34 winners past the Czech Republic player.
Bouzkova gave up serve twice in the first set before regaining a break of her own, but Swiatek held on to take the opener and went double-break early in the second set.
Bouzkova, ranked 42nd in the world, saved a match point at 5-2 but it only delayed the inevitable as Swiatek secured victory at the fourth time of asking.
“Physically I feel good, I had a day off yesterday,” Swiatek said.
“I’m not looking forward to the match [against Osaka] stayed with me, but we’ll see at the end of the tournament.”
Day six in Paris also saw victories for Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur.
Gauff holds his ground and is able to beat Yastremska
Gauff held on against a streaky Dayana Yastremska to secure a 6-2 6-4 victory and secure her place in the fourth round.
Third seed Gauff, second at Roland Garros in 2022, had a double-break lead in the second set and served for the match at 5-2 before 30th seed Yastremska saved a break.
American Gauff then had to save two more break points in her next service game before pressing on to secure the victory.
Gauff is bidding for a second major singles title after winning last year’s US Open.
“It’s important to expect great things from yourself, but I’m 20 and I hope to play another 10 years or so,” Gauff said.
“When I went to the Australian Open I was more nervous the first few rounds, but now it’s one match at a time.”
Elsewhere, Jabeur continued her bid for a first major title with a 6-4 7-6 (7-5) victory against Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, while Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova defeated France’s Chloe Paquet 6-1 6 -3 pushed aside.
Qualifier Olga Danilovic also advanced after an emotional 0-6 7-5 7-6 (10-8) win against Donna Vekic.
‘I said: play with the heart and not with the brain’
Gauff could face the next tough test against Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto after the Italian, ranked 51st in the world, defeated Russian 17th seed Liudmila Samsonova 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 to win the title for the first time. reached the fourth round of a major. .
Cocciaretto has beaten two seeds in her three matches in Paris, coming out on top in a tough three-setter in the first round against 13th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia and putting in another impressive performance against Samsonova.
At 23, she is the youngest Italian woman to reach the last sixteen at Roland Garros since Francesca Schiavone in 2001.
“I think I played unbelievable in the first games, and then I thought too much,” Cocciaretto said.
“I told myself: play with the heart and not with the brain. It’s unbelievable for me right now.”
Serbian Danilovic was equally emotional as she defeated Vekic and also reached the fourth round of a major for the first time.
The 23-year-old defeated 11th seed Danielle Collins on Thursday and threw herself to the ground in triumph as she defeated Vekic less than 24 hours later.
“I don’t know what to say, I have no words,” Danilovic said.
“There have been so many delays in the rain, but the people who come to watch, ‘merci beaucoup’. Going through it for the first time means a lot to me.”
