Day 4 at Roland-Garros reinforced the women's hierarchy while raising serious questions on the men's side. Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina delivered dominant second-round wins, while Novak Djokovic endured a turbulent outing.
Swiatek, the clay queen
Iga Swiatek, the four-time champion and world No.3, swept past Sara Bejlek 6-2, 6-3. After admitting to a "pretty unpredictable" start, the Pole seized control with the authority of a player who owns this surface. Her partnership with a new coaching setup is clearly paying dividends.
Svitolina, eight in a row
Elina Svitolina was even more clinical. The world No.7 bageled Kaitlin Quevedo in the opener before closing out 6-4 in the second. It was her eighth consecutive victory, a streak built on renewed confidence and peak fitness. The Ukrainian described herself as being in "fighting mode," a mindset that makes her a dangerous floater in the draw.
Osaka keeps building
Naomi Osaka, the 16th seed, advanced past Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6. The Japanese star continues to improve on Parisian clay, a surface long considered her weakness. Her composure in the second-set tiebreak showed a player rediscovering her competitive edge.
Djokovic raises red flags
Novak Djokovic delivered a concerning start to his second-round match. The 39-year-old was visibly agitated, repeatedly shaking his head during the first set. While the 24-time Grand Slam champion has the mental fortitude to bounce back, the body language raised legitimate questions about his form and fitness this fortnight.
Elena Rybakina also advanced to the third round, confirming her title credentials. The women's draw is taking shape, and the favourites are delivering.
