May 31, 2022 - Marin Čilić defeated the second-seed Medvedev for the first time in his career and a spot in the Roland Garros quarterfinals! 

Croatian tennis player Marin Čilić will play in the quarterfinals of this year's Roland Garros after a great match and a 6:2, 6:3, 6:2 victory against second-seed Danilo Medvedev.

This was the fourth match between the Croatian and Russian tennis players and the first victory for Čilić, who continues with great games in Paris this year. In his four victories so far, he has dropped only one set against the Hungarian Fucsovics. He also lost only three games against Balazs, five against Simon, and seven games against Medvedev.

Čilić did a great job throughout the match and did not allow the Roland Garros second-seed any chance. In the first two sets, Čilić had three break opportunities and used them all, while Medvedev did not even get a chance.

In both cases, Čilić made the first break at the same time, with a 3-2 lead. However, in the first set, he made another at 6-2, while in the second set Medvedev resisted a little longer. The introductory two sets were almost an hour of play.

Čilić did not slow down at all in the third set, moreover, the 20th seed Čilić won four games in a row and thus completely broke his respectable opponent.

Čilić had 33 winners and 22 unforced errors, while Medvedev stood at 15 winners and 28 errors.

The Croatian tennis player did not allow his opponent any chances to break.

In the quarterfinals, Čilić will play against seventh seed Andrey Rublev, to whom Italian Sinner handed over the match at the beginning of the third set and after 1-1 in sets.

Čilić and Rublev have played six times in their careers and the Russian has a 4-2 advantage, but Čilić won the last match which took place earlier this year at the Australian Open. The Croatian tennis player celebrated 7-5, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-3.

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June 7, 2019 - Ivan Dodig and Taiwanese partner Latisha Chan have defended their mixed doubles title at Roland Garros!

Mate Pavić and Ivan Dodig met in the mixed doubles final at Roland Garros on Friday with their partners Gabriela Dabrowski and Latisha Chan.

Recall, the second-seeded Dabrowski and Pavić secured their place in the final after defeating Ukraine's Nadiia Kichenok and Pakistan's Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi 6:7 (4), 6:1, 10:8 on Thursday, while Dodig and Chan defeated American Nicole Melichar and Brazilian Bruno Soares, the first seed of the tournament, in the other semi-final 6:2, 6:1.

Ivan Dodig and Latisha Chan made their first major step towards defending the Roland Garros title by winning the first set with a very convincing 6:1. It took Dodig and Chan only 23 minutes to take the set from Pavić and Dabrowski.

However, Pavić and Dabrowski were not going to let them get ahead so easy, and in the second set, they led 4:1. Dodig and Chan came back to win three consecutive games in the second set, equalizing at 4:4 ​​and serving against Pavić and Dabrowski - and then equaled at 5:5! The second set then entered a tie-break.

In the end, it was Dodig and Chan to prevail yet again! The Croatian-Taiwanese duo defeated Pavić and Dabrowski 6:1, 7:6 in just 79 minutes. 

This is the second year in a row that Croatia has a winner in the Grand Slam tournament in Paris. Recall, in 2018, Dodig and Chan celebrated against Pavić and Dabrowski 6:1, 6:7, 10:8.

Both Dodig and Pavić already have Grand Slam titles with their current partners. Namely, Dodig and Chan celebrated at Roland Garros last year, while Pavić and Dabrowski won the Australian Open last year. Pavić and German partner Friedsam won the 2016 title at US Open, too. 

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June 6, 2019 - For the second year in a row, Croatia will have a winner in mixed doubles at Roland Garros! Just as last year, Ivan Dodig will play in the final with Taiwanese partner Latisha Chan, while Mate Pavić in will be on the other side of the net with Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski, reports the Croatian Tennis Federation.

Dodig and Chan are one step closer to defending their Roland Garros title after defeating American Nicole Melichar and Brazilian Bruno Soares, the first seed of the tournament, in the semi-final 6:2, 6:1. The semi-final match lasted only 48 minutes. Dodig and Chan only faced two breaks in the match, both of which they were able to save. In the first set, Dodig and Chan took the serve of their opponents twice, and in the second set three times for the new Grand Slam finale.

In the other semi-final, the second-seeded Dabrowski and Pavić secured their place in the final after defeating Ukraine's Nadiia Kichenok and Pakistan's Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi 6:7 (4), 6:1, 10:8. The Croatian-Canadian duo was able to claim the victory in 92 minutes. This was the second time in two matches that Pavić and Dabrowski came back after losing the first set. Recall, they also prevailed against Zhang Shuai and John Peers in the quarters. 

In the 2018 Roland Garros final, Dodig and Chan celebrated against Pavić and Dabrowski 6:1, 6:7, 10:8.

Both Dodig and Pavić already have Grand Slam titles with their current partners. Namely, Dodig and Chan celebrated at Roland Garros last year, while Pavić and Dabrowski won the Australian Open last year. Pavić and German partner Friedsam won the 2016 title at US Open, too. 

Whether Dodig or Pavić prevails, Croatian tennis has a new Grand Slam winner! 

More soon...

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June 4, 2019 - Petra Martić was eliminated by Markéta Vondroušová in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros on Thursday (7:6, 7:5), while Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavić will play in the mixed doubles semifinals,  reports the Croatian Tennis Federation. 

Petra Martić failed to reach the semifinals of Roland Garros on Thursday after losing to 19-year-old Czech player Markéta Vondroušová 7:6, 7:5.

Petra served to win the first set at 5:4, and in the 6:5 lead had three connected set points, which she was unable to realize. This mentally pushed Petra, who fell against an excellent opponent; an opponent who Petra has defeated on all four previous occasions. Recall, Petra Martić won her first WTA Tour title after she defeated Markéta Vondroušová in the final, 1:6, 6:4, 6:1 just last month. 

In the quarterfinal match, Petra had only one ace and achieved a very small percentage of only 35 percent of the points scored after her second service. This was the fifth encounter between Martić and Vondroušová and the first win of the Czech player, who will face Briton Johanna Konta in the semis. 

In other news, Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavić will play in the semifinals of the mixed doubles competition at this year's Roland Garros! Dodig and his Taiwanese partner Latisha Chan made it through the quarterfinal duel without any major problems. Dodig and Chan defeated French duo Amandine Hesse and Benjamin Bonzi - 6:4, 6:3. For a spot in the final, they will play against the first-seeded American Nicole Melichar and Brazilian Bruno Soares.

Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski and Croatia’s Mate Pavić (second-seed) entered the semifinals after defeating China’s Zhang Shuai and Australian John Peers - 1:6, 7:5, 10:8. Zhang and Peers served for the win at 5:4 in the second set, but Dabrowski and Pavić somehow found a way to success. In the semis, they will play against Ukraine's Nadiia Kichenok and Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi.

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Petra Martić will play in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros! After a great battle in the round of 16, Petra came to the victory over Estonian Kaia Kanepi (WTA-88) after two hours and 14 minutes of play. Martić won 5:7, 6:2, 6:4 in her greatest career success, reports HTS on June 2, 2019. 

It was a match full of excitement, with ups and downs on both sides. Kanepi won the first set after Petra had the 3:2 advantage and service, while in the second set she led 2:0. It seemed then that Kanepi was going for the win, but Martić was able to come back, and with six consecutive games, she equalized Kanepi in sets. 

Kanepi started strong in the third set, and on her service, she led 3:0, but Petra again turned the game around and took the next three games to lead 3:2. Kanepi came back for 4:3 and had four break points for 5:3, but Petra came out of the hurdle and in the ninth game had a crucial break. At 5:4 she served for her first quarterfinal of a Grand Slam tournament - and that’s after her fifth appearance in the round of 16. 

With this victory, Martić achieved a new career ranking on the ATP list (23rd place) and in the quarters will play against Markéta Vondroušová, 38th on the WTA list. So far, these two have met on four occasions,and the last time a month ago in the final of Istanbul. Petra has won all four games. 

Donna Vekić was not as lucky and failed to overcome Johanna Konta in the round of 16. Konta celebrated 6:2, 6:4 after an hour and 25 minutes of play. It was their seventh match and the fourth win for Konta.

Throughout most of the match, the British tennis player was better and utilized her chances. In the first three games, we saw three breaks, and since Vekić served first, she was already behind. By the end of the first set, Vekić lost her service and missed five chances to break. All in all, Konta showed much more.

The players went six games without a break, then Konta took away Vekić’s service who immediately returned in the same way and leveled at 4:4. However, the British player then reached 0:40, Vekić saved two break chances, but not the third. After that, Konta easily concluded the match for the win. 

Croatia still has other representatives at Roland Garros. Namely, Nikola Mektić will play in the mixed doubles quarters with partner Alicja Rosolska on Monday, while Ivan Dodig will play in the round of 16 with Latisha Chan on Sunday. Mate Pavić and partner Oliver Marach will play in the men's doubles round of 16 on Sunday. 

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June 1, 2019 - After Friday’s thrilling performances by Petra Martić and Donna Vekić, which launched them into the round of 16 of Roland Garros, Borna Ćorić lost in the round of 32 on Saturday against German player Jan-Lennard Struff 6:4, 1:6, 6:4, 6:7(1), 6:4, 9:11, reports HTS.

It was a match that started well for Borna, who won the first set of the game with a score of 6:4. In the second set, Struff returned with 6:1 and although Ćorić won the third with 6:4, he lost the fourth in the tie-break.

In the fifth set, Ćorić had the break at 2:2, but Struff immediately replied. At 4:4, Ćorić had the chance to turn the game around, though he did not realize his chance. At 6:6, Borna had three chances to break, used the third and served to win, but the brave German returned - and at 8:7 he had 0 to 30 on Borna’s service. He did not use it then but did at 10:9, when his first match point turned into a win after four and a half hours of play.

It was the fifth encounter between the two players and the third win for Struff. 

Mate Pavić and his Austrian doubles partner Oliver Marach will also play in the round of 16 of Roland Garros after defeating French duo Elliot Benchetrit and Geoffrey Blancaneaux - 6:4, 7:5.

Ivan Dodig and his American partner Latisha Chan will play in the mixed doubles round of 16 after defeating American Abigail Spears and Colombian Juan Sebastian Cabal - 7:6 (5), 6:2.

More soon...

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May 31, 2019 - The incredible Petra Martić and Donna Vekić advanced to the Roland Garros round of 16, reports HTS.

What a victory for Petra Martić in the 3rd round of Roland Garros! Martić sensationally defeated the second-seed of the tournament, Czech player Karolína Plíšková with a convincing 6:3, 6:3. It was her 14th victory this season on clay. 

In the first set the result was leveled to 3:3, though Petra went on to win the next five games (and took the service of her rival three times) and reached 2:0 in the second set. Pliškova then won three consecutive games and it seemed that the favored Czech would still find a way to turnaround and win. However, Petra again lifted the level of the game and with a fantastic series came to great success and her third time in the round of 16 at a Grand Slam tournament (2012, 2017). With this win, Petra has jumped to 27th place on the WTA list, which is her best career ranking. Petra will play Kai Kanepi in the round of 16 on Sunday. 

But that’s not all. 

Croatian tennis will have two representatives in the round of 16 at this year's Roland Garros after Donna Vekić surprisingly overcame Swiss player Belinda Bencic (WTA-15) - 6:4, 6:1.

From the start of the match, the Osijek native had the lead - first at 3:0, then later 4:2, though Bencic managed to equalize at 4:4. Donna took the first set after a break, and after losing the first game of the second set, she won six consecutive games to make her second pass into the top 16 of a Grand Slam tournament. Recall, Vekić made it to the round of 16 at Wimbledon in 2018. 

Vekić hit eight aces with 64 percent of her first service and used six out of a total of nine break-points. In the round of 16, Vekić will play against the winner of the Konta - Kuzmova match. Vekić reached a new career ranking after the win and is currently the 20th best female tennis player in the world. 

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Borna Ćorić is into the third round of Roland Garros in Paris, while Ivo Karlović was unable to overcome Jordan Thompson in the second round, announces HTS on May 30, 2019.

Ivo Karlović finished his 14th appearance at Roland Garros after losing in the 2nd round to Australian Jordan Thompson (ATP-69) after four sets - 6:3, 6:4, 6:7 2), 6:3.

It was a match where the 40-year-old Zagreb native lost service three times and did not see a break. His first strike was kept only in the third set, which he won after tie-breaks to his advantage. It should also be noted that during the duel the Australian made only five unforced errors, and Karlović 42. Karlović did, however, achieve 23 aces with 67 percent of his first service. After a win in Paris, Ivo will jump seven positions on the ATP ranking and will leave Roland Garros as the 87th best tennis player in the world.

Borna Ćorić advanced to the 3rd round of Roland Garros for the fourth time in his career. The Zagreb native (ATP-13) defeated South African Lloyd George Harris on Thursday, the 90th best tennis player in the world - 6:2, 6:3, 7:6 (2).

Ćorić fully controlled the result until the end of the third set, when he allowed Harris to return from 5:2 to 5:5 (at 5:3 was the only time in the match he lost his service). The game then went to a tie-break in which Borna immediately came to a significant advantage which he turned into a victory. Borna achieved a total of five aces with 62 percent of his first service and used five out of a total of nine break-points. 

Borna’s next rival will be German player Jan-Lennard Struff (ATP-45). It will be their fifth encounter, and Borna has celebrated in the last two meetings. 

Ćorić thus joins Petra Martić and Donna Vekić in the third round. Recall, Marin Čilić is no longer in the tournament after losing to Dimitrov on Wednesday. 

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May 27, 2019 - Roland Garros, also known as the French Open, kicked off at the Stade Roland-Garros in Paris. Croatia’s tennis representatives, including Marin Čilić, Borna Ćorić, Petra Martić, and Donna Vekić have all advanced to the second round. 

Marin Čilić skipped the first obstacle at this year's Roland Garros. Croatia’s best male tennis player and the 11th-seed of the tournament defeated Italian Thomas Fabbiano, the 98th best tennis player in the world, in three sets - 6:3, 7:5, 6:1.

Marin played a solid match and had the most issues at the end of the second set when he lost his service at 4:4 and Fabbiano served to equalize 1:1. However, Čilić immediately returned the lost service, and by the end of the duel, won nine of the 10 games. In the third set, the Italian led 1:0 after a break and then lost six games in a row. Čilic achieved 13 aces and realized 58 percent of the first service, and made 36 unforced errors (Fabbiano 34). Čilić will play Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the round of 64. 

In just over an hour, Petra Martić advanced to the second round of this year's Roland Garros after defeating Tunisian Ons Jabeur (WTA-56)  6:1, 6: 2.

Petra took the service of her rival six times and lost two games on two occasions. Jabeur made 27 unforced errors (Martić 8). Martić also realized 65 percent of the first service and easily made it to the 2nd round where she will face French player Kristina Mladenović. 

Donna Vekić, the 23rd-seed of the tournament, made it to the 2nd round of this year's Roland Garros. Croatia’s best female tennis player was too strong for the 'lucky loser' of qualifications, Russian Liudmila Samsonova(WTA-159) - 6:2, 6:4.

The Osijek-native settled the first set after breaks in the third and fifth games, while in the second set she only took Samsonova’s service in the third game. Samson had just one break-point (the fourth game of the first set) that she did not take advantage of during the match. Vekić finished the game without a double fault and with 59% of the first service and 17 unforced errors (Samsonova 35). Donna will play in the 2nd round against Swede Rebecca Peterson (WTA-63). 

Borna Ćorić will play in the 2nd round of Roland Garros for the fifth time. After almost three hours, the 22-year-old Zagreb-native defeated Slovenian Aljaž Bedene who took the duel to the fourth set - 6:1, 6:7(4), 6:4, 6:4.

During the match, Bedene lost his service to Borna on five occasions; Borna did not succeed only in the second set, which went to a tie-break in favor of Bedene. On the other hand, he saved all three of Bedene's breaks. In the round of 64,  Ćorić will play against South African Lloyd Harris. 

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Croatia’s best singles tennis player finished his stint at Roland Garros in the quarters, while Ivan Dodig defeated Mate Pavić in the mixed doubles final!