Court Philippe-Chatrier, Second Match
Iga Swiatek (5) vs Elena Rybakina (12)
Sunday’s blockbuster clash between Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina brings one of the sport’s most compelling rivalries back to clay—where Rybakina surprisingly holds the edge.
Of their eight previous meetings, six have come on hard courts. The only two played on clay? Both won by Rybakina. She edged out Swiatek in three sets in Stuttgart last year and advanced in Rome when Swiatek retired injured in the deciding set. The head-to-head sits at 4–4, and while Swiatek remains the undisputed queen of clay, Rybakina has shown she can crack the code.
The pair know each other’s games intimately. Perhaps that’s why Swiatek kept her pre-match thoughts brief: “We have been playing for many years a lot of matches, so we know our games,” she said, offering little insight.
Rybakina was only slightly more revealing. “It’s tough to play Iga on clay. She spins the ball really well and has unbelievable intensity,” she said—confirming what the tennis world already knows.
Still, Swiatek appears to be finding form just in time. She’s quietly gathering momentum after a challenging year without a title—her first such drought since 2019. Rybakina, meanwhile, looks razor-sharp, fresh off a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win over Jelena Ostapenko, and will bring her signature power game into what promises to be a thrilling test of grit and clay-court prowess.
Also on Court Philippe-Chatrier, First Match
Jasmine Paolini (4) vs Elina Svitolina (13)
Elina Svitolina may be breathing a little easier off-court now that husband Gael Monfils has exited the tournament, but her on-court challenge has only intensified. She faces Jasmine Paolini, last year’s surprise finalist and the current world No.4.
Svitolina, a seasoned Grand Slam contender, will need every ounce of experience to counter Paolini’s confidence and court coverage. Expect a fierce baseline battle as both women vie for a coveted quarterfinal spot.
This year, the Svitolina-Monfils household had no breathing room, with Elina and Gael playing on alternating days—leaving little chance for rest.
“[When it’s like this] I feel like we’re playing every single day mentally because you support the other half, and it almost feels like a second match,” Svitolina said.
Still, she’s handled it with characteristic poise. She’s yet to drop a set at Roland-Garros and comes into her fourth-round clash against Jasmine Paolini with a confidence boost—having beaten the Italian earlier this year at the Australian Open in their only previous meeting.
Court Suzanne-Lenglen, Third Match
Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs Amanda Anisimova (16)
It feels like another lifetime, but in 2019, a 17-year-old Amanda Anisimova shocked the tennis world with a dream run to the Roland-Garros semifinals without dropping a set. At the time, the future looked limitless.
But life threw curveballs: the sudden death of her father later that year, persistent injuries, and a two-year break from the sport to prioritize her mental health. The momentum stalled—but the talent never left.
Now, Anisimova is back—and looking sharp. She meets a familiar opponent in Aryna Sabalenka, the current world No.1 and a player she has beaten five times in seven encounters, including their most recent clash in Toronto last summer.
“We’re both pretty big hitters, so I’m sure we’re going to be going at it back and forth a bit,” Anisimova said. “Obviously, she’s one of the best right now. She’s No.1. I feel like it’s always a good matchup. I really enjoy the fight and the challenge that she brings on.”
Sabalenka, too, thrives on pressure. The Belarusian is embracing her top-ranked status and is hungry to make her mark in Paris—where Iga Swiatek has ruled in recent years. But unlike most of Sabalenka’s opponents, Anisimova carries belief and a proven game plan.
Spotlight Match: Swiatek vs Rybakina
Of course, the centerpiece of Day 8 remains Swiatek vs Rybakina—a rivalry that’s quickly become one of the most fascinating in women’s tennis. While Swiatek is the undisputed “Queen of Clay,” Elena Rybakina holds the upper hand in their clay court encounters, having won both of their matches on the surface. As their head-to-head stands tied at 4-4, today’s match is more than just a fourth-round duel—it’s a statement opportunity for both stars.
With Rybakina surging after a dominant win over Ostapenko and Swiatek quietly regaining her rhythm, their clash on Court Philippe-Chatrier promises to be a Roland-Garros classic.
