http://www.sportthesis.com/2017/06/tennis-venus-sets-new-record-kvitovas-chase-over-big-boys-advance.html?m=1


Venus Williams at 36 and playing in her 20th French open became the oldest woman to reach the third round at the French Open since Billie Jean King in 1982.

Watched by her sister Serena - who will not play again this season because of her pregnancy - Venus Williams easily beat Kurumi Nara 6-3 6-1 to move into round three for the first time in five years.

Elsewhere, Petra Kvitova's return to action came to an end in the second round as the Czech lost 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) to American Bethanie Mattek-Sands .

Another major upset was Slovak Dominika Cibulkova who suffered a shock defeat by Tunisia's world number 114 Ons Jabeur to become the third top-10 seed in the women's draw to be knocked out.

The sixth seed lost 6-4 6-3. Jabeur however became the third Arab woman to make it to the French Open third round.

Caroline Wozniacki , the Danish 12th seed, produced an impressive performance to beat Canadian Francoise Abanda 6-0 6-0 in 52 minutes.

Kristina Mladenovic reached the third round with a comfortable 6-2 6-3 win against Sara Errani of Italy.

Defending French Open champion Garbine Muguruza survived a scare to beat world number 99 Anett Kontaveit
The women's draw is wide open, especially after world number one Angelique Kerber and British hope Johanna Konta went out in round one.

In the men's draw, another home favourite, 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, was given only the briefest of reprieves as he lost 7-5 6-4 6-7 6-8 6-4 to Argentine Renzo Olivo .

The match was postponed from Tuesday because of bad light and Olivo needed only one game to turn his overnight advantage into victory. He will now play Briton Kyle Edmund in the second round.

Austrian sixth seed Dominic Thiem was broken just once in a 7-5 6-1 6-3 win over Italian Simone Bolelli.

Bulgaria's 11th seed Grigor Dimitrov is also through after beating Spain's Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-4 7-5.

Nine-time winner Rafael Nadal and defending champion Novak Djokovic both won in straight sets to reach the third round at the French Open.

Nadal, the fourth seed from Spain, looked at his very best in outclassing Dutchman Robin Haase 6-1 6-4 6-3 in under two hours.

Serbia's Djokovic, the second seed, beat Portugal's Joao Sousa 6-1 6-4 6-3 in two hours and seven minutes. Nadal and Djokovic are seeded to meet in the semi-finals.

Djokovic, a 12-time Grand Slam winner, goes on to face Argentine Diego Schwartzman while 14-time Grand Slam champion Nadal takes on Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia.

Eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi watched Djokovic once again, having taken over as the 30-year-old's coach on a temporary basis.