Hot-headed Andrey Rublev lost his cool spectacularly as he crashed out of the French Open with a straight-sets defeat to Matteo Arnaldi in the third round.
Arnaldi, 23, saved a set point in the opening set before going on to dominate his opponent, beating Rublev 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 6-4.
The sixth-seeded Russian had a heated argument with umpire Lazemar Engzell during the second set over the mark left by a disputed line call.
Rublev promptly dropped serve and exploded with rage, smashing his racket to the ground and screaming towards his players’ box. At the changeover, the 26-year-old then repeatedly kicked his seat, leaving large dents in it.
In the third set, Rublev, by now on the verge of tears, began furiously hitting his knee with his racket as he was swept aside in straight sets.
“Completely disappointed with myself the way I behaved, the way I performed and I don’t remember behaving worse in a Grand Slam ever,” a remorseful Rublev said after the match.
“I think it was first time I’ve behaved that bad.”
Rublev has never got past the quarter-finals at a grand slam. He was tipped for a strong run at Roland Garros this year after winning his second career ATP Masters 1000 title in Madrid earlier this month but is now the highest-seeded casualty so far in the men’s draw.
Arnaldi will next play either Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas after he beat China’s Zhang Zhizhen 6-3 6-3 6-1.
Alcaraz beats Korda
Carlos Alcaraz was back on form as he beat Sebastian Korda 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 with his best showing of the French Open so far.
Wimbledon champion Alcaraz had a tough second round and there were concerns about his fitness afterwards. However, he showed no signs of weakness as he had a response for everything Korda threw at him.
Carlos Alcaraz is through to the second week of the French Open
He got a decisive break towards the end of the first set, then won a tight second and stepped his foot on the gas to win the third.
The Spaniard will face Ben Shelton or Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the quarter-finals, with their match on hold due to rain.
“It was a really good match. I played really, really well. It’s something I really wanted to get into the rallies and play good points. I’m feeling myself on the court and I did pretty well,” said Alcaraz.
“I’m feeling amazing. I feel great playing on this court (Philippe Chatrier). I have great memories and hopefully I can keep going.”
Sinner breezes by Kotov and into fourth round
World number two Jannik Sinner eased into the fourth round with a ruthless 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory against Pavel Kotov.
The Australian Open champion faced only one break point on serve in a one-sided encounter, setting up a meeting with either Austrian Sebastian Ofner or French favourite Corentin Moutet in the last 16.
Kotov, who disposed of Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the first round and was hoping to beat a second Grand Slam champion in a row after eliminating Stan Wawrinka in the second, got off to a fiery start but Sinner was still a level above in the first set.
Jannik Sinner secured his safe passage through to the fourth round at Roland Garros in straight sets
The Italian got another early break in the second to move two sets up and the same pattern was repeated in the third as Sinner wrapped up victory with an ace on match point.
Sinner also beat Kotov in straight sets in the Madrid Masters in April.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Find out all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours
In the run-up to the third Grand Slam of 2024 – Wimbledon – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the grass-court season.
- Stuttgart Open (ATP 250 with Andy Murray in action) – June 10-16
- Rosmalen Open (ATP/WTA 250) – June 10-16
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.