Serena, Osaka crash out at French Open

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Serena Williams suffered her earliest Grand Slam exit since 2014 when she crashed out of the French Open on Saturday, ending her bid to win a record-equaling 24th major. Her stunning loss came just hours after world number one Naomi Osaka also suffered a shock defeat.

Williams was beaten 6-2, 7-5 by her American compatriot Sofia Kenin, who wasn't even born when the tennis legend made her Paris debut in 1998.

Top seed Osaka's hopes of winning a third successive Grand Slam ended when she was knocked out by unheralded Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-2.

Their losses mean that 14 of the top 20 seeds in the women's draw have failed to make the second week in Paris.

Serena Williams of the U.S. reacts after her shock loss against her compatriot Sofia Kenin at the French Open in Paris, France, June 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

It was the earliest exit for the 37-year-old Williams at the Slams since a third-round loss to Alize Cornet at Wimbledon in 2014.

"She played really well, especially in the first set where she hit pretty much within an inch of the line all the time," said Williams.

"I haven't been on the court as much as I would have wanted to. It's been a grueling season."

Kenin, the 20-year-old world number 35, would face eighth seed Ashleigh Barty of Australia for a place in the quarterfinals.

"There are a lot of emotions now," said the Russian-born player.

"Serena is such a great champion and I have all the respect for her."

Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic celebrates her victory against Naomi Osaka of Japan at the French Open in Paris, France, June 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

Osaka, the reigning U.S. Open and Australian Open champion, said losing to 42nd-ranked Siniakova may have been a blessing in disguise.

"Losing is probably the best thing that could have happened," said 21-year-old Osaka.

"I felt very tired. I had headaches, maybe that's the stress.

"I felt there was a weight on me. This hasn't been the happiest of times."

Osaka was undone by a shocking 38 unforced errors as she finally ran out of luck in Paris.

Simona Halep of Romania plays a forehand shot against Lesia Tsurenko (not pictured) of Ukraine at the French Open in Paris, France, June 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

Defending champion and third seed Simona Halep stormed into the last 16 with a 6-2, 6-1 thrashing of Ukrainian 27th seed Lesia Tsurenko.

Halep next would face Poland's Iga Swiatek who celebrated her 18th birthday by seeing off Olympic champion Monica Puig 0-6, 6-3, 6-3.

China's Xu Yifan partnered with Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada to defeat Han Xinyun and Wang Yafan, both Chinese, 6-1, 6-1 in women's doubles second round.

Australian Open winners Zhang Shuai and Samantha Stosur also marched on, but Yang Zhaoxuan and Poland's Alicja Rosolska went out.

Djokovic continues serene progress

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his victory at the French Open in Paris, France, June 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

Men's world number one Novak Djokovic eased into the last 16, stepping up his bid to hold all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously for the second time.

The Serbian saw off unseeded Italian Salvatore Caruso 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 to set up a fourth-round tie with Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff who defeated Croatian 13th seed Borna Coric, 4-6, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), 11-9.

"Finally, I think I found my best form in the second set," said 2016 champion Djokovic, who is yet to drop a set.

First Greek player in 83 years

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece hits a shot during his French Open men's singles third-round match against Filip Krajinovic (not pictured) of Serbia in Paris, France, June 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

Crowd favorite Stefanos Tsitsipas became the first Greek player in 83 years to reach the second week at Roland Garros as he survived a scare against Filip Krajinovic to win 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (8/6).

The 20-year-old would take on former champion Stan Wawrinka for a place in his second Grand Slam quarterfinal.

Wawrinka, the 2015 champion, recorded his 500th match victory with a 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (10/8) win over Grigor Dimitrov.

There were also wins for last year's runner-up Dominic Thiem, French favorite Gael Monfils, Argentinian eighth seed Juan Martin del Potro and Russian 10th seed Karen Khachanov.

Source(s): AFP