Swiatek, Djokovic make steady progress as Rybakina slips up

PARIS, May 27 : Iga Swiatek stayed cool in sweltering conditions while Novak Djokovic was given a stern test before reaching the third round of the French Open, but world number two Elena Rybakina was unable to avoid an early exit on Wednesday.

Rome champion Elina Svitolina continued to mark herself out as a genuine title contender with a 6-0 6-4 victory over Kaitlin Quevedo on Court Philippe Chatrier, before fellow Ukrainian and Madrid winner Marta Kostyuk beat Katie Volynets 6-7(4) 6-3 6-3.

There has been much to celebrate for Ukrainian tennis in the last few weeks and Yuliia Starodubtseva gave her country another reason to rejoice amid the Russian-led war after she fought past Moscow-born Rybakina 3-6 6-1 7-6(10-4) for a first top-five win.

Fresh from claiming her second Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January, Roland Garros second seed Rybakina was a shadow of her usually dominant self as she made 71 unforced errors in the clash with Starodubtseva to bow out tamely.

"I feel like if you're trying to beat one of the best, you have to think that you can," Starodubtseva told reporters.

"I was trying to go into this match with this mindset, try not to give too much respect, even though she's a great player and someone you can look up to."

Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva seemed to be joining Rybakina through the exit door but she regained her composure to down Spain's Marina Bassols Ribera 3-6 6-1 6-1. 

Jasmine Paolini, the 2024 runner-up, was beaten 3-6 6-4 6-3 by Argentina's Solana Sierra.

Swiatek is another player trying to rediscover her belief at the French Open after a lacklustre few months but the four-times winner was plagued by 38 unforced errors but still had too much quality as saw off Czech Sara Bejlek 6-2 6-3.