(Paris) Peyton Stearns recorded the biggest victory of his career by beating former champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 1-6 and 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the third round of the French Open tennis tournament.
Stearns, a former University of Texas player, turned pro in June 2022.
Ostapenko won Roland-Garros in 2017, but has never been able to get past the third round since. The Latvian, 17e seed of the tournament, was broken five times against Stearns, in addition to accumulating 28 unforced errors.
The 21-year-old American continues her rise in the world rankings and showed up in Paris at 69e level, following a good streak on clay.
The third seed Jessica Pegula also continued her journey after taking advantage of the abandonment of Camila Georgi, injured. The American was leading 6-2 when her opponent threw in the towel.
Then, hours after husband Gael Monfils triumphed in five sets on Tuesday’s evening program, Elina Svitolina came from behind to defeat qualifier Storm Hunter 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.
On the men’s side, the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2. Fifth-seeded Tsitsipas was slow to get going, and he had to work hard for two rounds before he found his bearings.
Meanwhile, favorite Carlos Alcaraz and third seed Novak Djokovic will be in action later today. Alcaraz has an appointment with the Japanese Taro Daniel on the Philippe-Chatrier court, and this duel will be followed in the evening by that between Djokovic and Martin Fucsovics.
