7 selected Wednesday matches: ours at Roland Garros and Mourinho’s battle with Sevilla
Mikhail Georgiev May 30, 2023 22:00 UTC Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
What to watch tomorrow, May 31: the derby between Samsonova and Pavlyuchenkova, Kasatkina, Rublev, Khachanov, Djokovic and the future stars of the Brazilian team.
See all the events on May 31 at the Championship Match Center.
The time in the material is in Moscow. Program in summary:
🎾 13:30*: Lyudmila Samsonova (Russia, 15) – Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Russia, SR), Roland Garros, second round 🎾 14:00*: Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic) – Daria Kasatkina (Russia, 9), ” Roland Garros, second round 🎾 15:30*: Corentin Moutet (France) – Andrey Rublev (Russia, 7), Roland Garros, second round 🎾 15:30*: Karen Khachanov (Russia, 11) – Radu Albot (Moldova, Q) , Roland Garros, second round ⚽️ 20:30: Brazil – Tunisia, Youth World Cup 2023 (U20), round of 16 🎾 21:15*: Novak Djokovic (Serbia, 3) – Marton Fucovic (Hungary), Roland Garros, second Day ⚽️ 22:00: Sevilla – Rome, Europa League, final
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🎾 13:30*: Lyudmila Samsonova (Russia, 15) – Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Russia, SR), Roland Garros, second round
*Important: Match times are subject to change and will be confirmed.
Intrigue: how will the first Russian derby at Roland Garros 2023 end?
Roland Garros 2021 finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is trying to get back to her former level after a serious injury and an almost complete missed season last year. And her compatriot Lyudmila Samsonova, who has made rapid progress of late, may prevent her from moving further up the grid. The 24-year-old Olenegorsk native has already set a career high, reaching the second round in Paris. Who will be stronger in the first Russian derby of this tournament?
Lyudmila Samsonova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Photo: Getty Images
🎾 2:00 p.m.*: Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic) – Daria Kasatkina (Russia, 9), Roland Garros, second round
*Important: Match times are subject to change and will be confirmed.
Intrigue: what will the first racket from Russia show in the current tournament?
Last year, Daria Kasatkina achieved the best result in the Helmets, reaching the semifinals of Roland Garros. But now the Russian woman needs to defend a lot of points, and if she doesn’t show a good result, she risks falling out of the top 10 of the WTA ranking. She got a very serious opponent in the second round, the finalist of Roland Garros-2019 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Marketa Vondrousova. Who will she take?
Daria Kasatkina
Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
🎾 15:30*: Corentin Moutet (France) – Andrey Rublev (Russia, 7), Roland Garros, second round
*Important: Match times are subject to change and will be confirmed.
Intrigue: what will the Russian show in the match with the owner of the courts?
Andrei Rublev has always played well on clay. Even in juniors, he achieved a brilliant result by winning Roland Garros in 2014. And in professional tennis, the Russian constantly performs in Paris: he twice reached the quarterfinals. This year Andrei won the Masters for the first time, and on clay – in Monte Carlo. What will Rublev demonstrate on Wednesday, who will be opposed not only by his rival, who owns the pitches, but by all the packed stands of the French stadium?
andrei rublev
Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images
🎾 15:30*: Karen Khachanov (Russia, 11) – Radu Albot (Moldova, Q), Roland Garros, second round
*Important: Match times are subject to change and will be confirmed.
Intrigue: Will Karen take another step towards the top 10 ratings?
This tournament is important for Karen Khachanov not only in terms of fighting for the title, but also as an opportunity to score more ranking points and break into the top 10 of the ATP rankings. Now the Russian is in 11th place, and his main rival, Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, has already lost. Now Karen just needs to go forward. Let’s see if Khachanov recovered after a difficult first round, in which he was saved from 0: 2 in sets.
Karen Khachanov
Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images
⚽️ 20:30: Brazil v Tunisia Youth World Cup (Under 20) 2023 Round of 16
Intrigue: Are the Brazilians going for the first gold at the Youth World Cup since 2011?
The Brazilian team has not gone through the group stage of the 2023 U-20 World Cup without adventures. In the first game, the South Americans lost to Italy (2:3). Then Brazil lost the right to make a mistake, but confidently discovered it in the following rounds with the Dominican Republic (6:0) and Nigeria (2:0). Tunisia completely left the group with two losses, occupying the third place. Brazil is clear favorite for the next match. The team also got a relatively easy bracket for the final. The Brazilians may have a serious opponent (USA or Uruguay) only in the semifinals. Waiting for the sixth gold of the world youth championships in Brazil?
brazil under 20 team
Photo: Gustavo Garello/AP Photo/TASS
🎾 21:15*: Novak Djokovic (Serbia, 3) – Marton Fucovic (Hungary), Roland Garros, second round
*Important: Match times are subject to change and will be confirmed.
Intrigue: Will Djokovic go 5-0 with his longtime “client”?
Following Medvedev’s retirement, Djokovic’s chances for the top spot in the rankings increased. Besides him, only Stefanos Tsitsipas can eliminate Alcaraz. In the second round of Roland Garros, the Serb will play his longtime “client” Marton Fucovic from Hungary. The 22-time Slam champion has already beaten this opponent four times. Will there be a fifth?
Novak Djokovic
Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
⚽️ 22:00: Seville – Rome Europa League Final
Intrigue: whose magic will be stronger in the final, Mourinho or Sevilla?
Sevilla have reached the UEFA Cup/Europa League final for the seventh time. The Andalusians are the most titled team in the tournament. The team has participated in the decisive game six times and has won consistently. But this time they face the boss of the final: José Mourinho. The Portuguese coach never lost in decisive matches either. Mourinho won the UEFA Cup (2003) and the Champions League (2004) with Porto, then won the Champions League with Inter (2010), the Europa League with Manchester United (2015) and the Conference League with the Rome (2022). Whose magic will be stronger? Sevilla is considered the small favorite of the match, but the forecasts do not work as far as Mourinho and titles are concerned. The Portuguese is one of the best specialists in winning trophies (it didn’t work only at Tottenham). We look forward to a historic evening in Budapest!
Jose Mourinho
Photo: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
