By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Saturday, June 1, 2024
Taylor Fritz and Emma Navarro will wave the Red, White, and Blue in the second week of Paris.
Photo credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Roland Garros saw multiple American players competing today on the terre battue.
But only two remain in the singles as the event enters its second week, with each earning a specific career milestone in the process.
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On the men’s side, No. 12 seed Taylor Fritz continued his impressive clay court season by reaching the fourth round in Paris.
Fritz has been unofficially nicknamed “Claylor” this season after having reached the Munich final, the Madrid semifinals, and the quarterfinals in Rome. Fritz was forced to battle through five sets against Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Fritz finally prevailed late into the Paris evening before eventually claiming the 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4), 7-5, 6-3 win. The key for Fritz was his serve. Fritz won 80 percent of points on his first serve while also saving four of the six break points he faced.
With the victory, Fritz is now the first American man to reach the last sixteen in Paris since Sebastian Korda did so as a qualifier in 2020. He next faces No. 7 seed Casper Ruud.
Earlier in the day, American and No. 14 seed Tommy Paul lost in four sets to No. 23 seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. Also, No. 21 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated No. 15 seed Ben Shelton 6-4, 6-2, 6-1.
For the American women, it’s perhaps a surprise that someone reaching her first ever major round of 16 will be the last one remaining in Paris.
No. 22 seed Emma Navarro reached this new territory in her career by knocking out fellow American and No. 14 seed Madison Keys 7-6 (5), 7-6(3).
Navarro next faces No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka.
In earlier matches, Mirra Andreeva defeated American Peyton Stearns, who was on a recent seven-match win streak, 6-2, 6-1. Andreeva, who is coached by 1994 Wimbledon champion and former French Open finalist Conchita Martinez, is now 8-0 at Grand Slams against players ranked outside of the Top 50.
Photo Credit: BMW Open Facebook