Jannik Sinner powers into French Open last 16, Pegula and Andreeva advance

World number one Jannik Sinner powered into the last 16 of the French Open on Saturday, punishing outclassed Czech Jiri Lehecka. American Jessica Pegula and Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva also booked their spots in the second week.

Sinner won 6-0, 6-1, 6-2, with world number 34 Lehecka unable to stop the Italian steamroller on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, succumbing to his third defeat in as many meetings after a one-hour 34-minute match.

"Today I was playing really, really well, especially during (the first) two-and-a-half sets... so very happy," said top seed Sinner. "I don't think there's much I could improve."

Three-time Grand Slam winner Sinner will next face Russia's Andrey Rublev, who advanced after France's Arthur Fils withdrew injured on Friday. Sinner has been regaining form since his comeback from a three-month doping ban at the Italian Open earlier in May, reaching the final before losing to reigning Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner's Unstoppable Grand Slam Streak Continues at Roland Garros 2025

The 23-year-old has continued his fine form on the red clay of Roland Garros, not dropping a set and extending his Grand Slam winning streak to 17 matches after titles at the 2024 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open.

German third seed Alexander Zverev, last year's finalist, will face Italian Flavio Cobolli, world number 26, later in the day. Novak Djokovic will pursue a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam against Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic in the primetime night session on Court Philippe Chatrier.

In the women's tournament, American third seed Jessica Pegula battled into the last 16 with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Czech Marketa Vondrousova. Pegula, last year's US Open runner-up, will play the winner of the all-French duel between Lois Boisson, ranked 361, and Elsa Jacquemot, ranked 138, for a spot in the quarter-finals. The 31-year-old aims to surpass her previous best run in Paris, a quarter-final appearance three years ago.

Andreeva Advances to Last 16 with Dominant Performance at Grand Slam

Earlier, 18-year-old Andreeva eased into the last 16 with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Kazakh Yulia Putintseva. Sixth seed Andreeva took 78 minutes to dispatch Putintseva and will face Daria Kasatkina, ranked 17. Kasatkina, now representing Australia after switching allegiance from Russia, defeated Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa 6-1, 7-5.

Competing in just her ninth Grand Slam, Andreeva has now reached the second week in five of them. "I felt a little nervous before the match, but overall, I felt like I could do whatever I want on the court," said Andreeva. "I'm happy that with every match I play, I feel better and better."

Women's second seed and former finalist Coco Gauff will face Czech world number 47 Marie Bouzkova later Saturday. Three other American women are in action: Madison Keys and Sofia Kenin clash for a last 16 spot, while unseeded Hailey Baptiste faces Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

AFP