French Open: Muguruza advances, Bertens out in Paris

Former French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, last year’s runner-up Sloane Stephens and second seed Karolina Pliskova powered into the Grand Slam’s third round on Wednesday.

But Dutch fourth seed and Kiki Bertens, among the pre-tournament favourites, retired due to illness from her second-round match against Slovakian Viktoria Kuzmova at Roland Garros.

The Madrid Open winner pulled out while trailing 3-1 in the opening set on Court Philippe Chatrier.

“Yesterday I felt good,” said Bertens. “No problems at all. I was practicing, resting, and I felt really well. Ready for today.

“And then this morning I woke up at 3:00, and then I felt really sick. Vomiting, diarrhea all night long, all day long.”

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Earlier on day four, 19th seed Muguruza dominated Swede Johanna Larsson 6-4 6-1 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The Spaniard, who claimed the French Open title in 2016, relied on her booming forehand throughout and wrapped it up when Larsson netted a service return.

Kiki Bertens is forced to retire.

Viktoria Kuzmova advances to the third round 4-1 ret.#RG19 pic.twitter.com/6DKfbHlEJm

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 29, 2019

“I tried to build points a bit more instead of hitting very hard and trying to get a winner,” the 25-year-old, who also won Wimbledon in 2017, told reporters.

“And then I had to adapt my game to the clay, because you have to adapt. You have to build your points a bit more. I also used more topspin, and I tried to be more patient.”

Muguruza now runs into ninth seed Elina Svitolina who advanced by walkover when fellow Ukrainian Kateryna Kozlova withdrew with “a viral infection”, according to an updated tournament statement, after rib problems were first given as the reason.

Seventh seed Stephens prevailed over Spanish world No.76 Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-1 7-6(3), losing a 3-0 lead in the second set but then denying her opponent from twice serving out the set at 5-4 and 6-5.

The former US Open champion feels “good” after bringing in the experienced Sven Groeneveld as her new coach and also becoming engaged to US football striker Jozy Altidore.

“I feel like I’m in a good head space. I’m playing better. I’m seeing the court well, which I think is really important for me.

“My movement is good. Everything is just kind of falling into place, and that’s kind of what you want,” Stephens said.

Pliskova, a 2017 semifinalist in Paris and the recent Italian Open winner, wasted no time dispatching Slovakia’s Kristina Kucova, winning 6-2 6-2 in just 56 minutes.

The hard-hitting Czech’s victory was punctuated by eight aces and 29 winners.

World No.20 Elise Mertens was at her clinical best as she thumped France’s 16-year-old wildcard Diane Parry 6-1 6-3, while British No.1 Johanna Konta beat American Lauren Davis 6-3 1-6 6-3.