MX23RW : Wednesday, May 19 01:08:26| >> :600:19887109:19887109:

French Open day four: Serena Williams withdraws as Rafael Nadal breezes through

The 23-time grand slam champion came into the tournament nursing an Achilles injury.

Serena Williams was forced to pull out ahead of her second-round match against Tsvetana Pironkova.

The 23-time grand slam champion came into the tournament nursing an Achilles injury she picked up during her semi-final defeat at the US Open earlier this month.

Meanwhile, 12-time champion Rafael Nadal laid down a marker with a thumping 6-1 6-0 6-3 win over Mackenzie McDonald.

Here, the PA news agency looks back at day four at the French Open.

Picture of the day

France Tennis French Open
Norway's Casper Ruud took a tumble on his way to beating Tommy Paul (Michel Euler/AP)

Stat(s) of the day

Smash of the day

Yulia Putintseva's win over Nadia Podoroska wasn't all plain sailing.

Quote of the day

Match of the day

France Tennis French Open
Alexander Zverev had to work hard for his place in round three (Christophe Ena/AP)

Sixth seed Alexander Zverev is no stranger to a five-set marathon and he came through another to squeeze past Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

The German, runner up to Dominic Thiem at the US Open earlier this month, won 2-6 6-4 7-6 (5) 4-6 6-4.

Fallen seeds

Women: Serena Williams (6)
Men: John Isner (21), Benoit Paire (23)

Up next

Novak Djokovic and Stephanos Tsitsipas headline on Chatrier while former champion Garbine Muguruza faces Kristyna Pliskova on Suzanne Lenglen.

ID:416607: cacheID:416607:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7286:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Jamie Murray pictured in February 2020
Read Next:
Jamie Murray questions future of British tennis after French Open exits
>

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!