French Open 2025 Day Nine Recap - Perfect Tennis

The second week of Roland Garros began with the top seeds firmly in control. Jannik Sinner dismantled Andrey Rublev in straight sets to cruise into the quarter-finals, while Novak Djokovic marked yet another milestone, his 100th win at the French Open, with a clinical performance over Cameron Norrie.

Alexander Zverev progressed after a premature retirement from Tallon Griekspoor, and Alexander Bublik produced one of the standout performances of the day, outfoxing Jack Draper with a dazzling mix of drop shots and finesse.

With all four quarter-final matchups locked in, the tournament heads into its final stretch with a blend of precision hitters, shot-makers, and first-time hopefuls all vying for a place in the last four.

Here’s a full rundown of how Day Nine played out.

Day Nine French Open 2025 Round of 16 Results

Winner
Loser
Scoreline

Jannik Sinner (1)
Andrey Rublev (17)
6-1 6-3 6-4

Alexander Bublik
Jack Draper (5)
5-7 6-3 6-2 6-4

Alexander Zverev (3)
Tallon Griekspoor
6-4 3-0 (RET)

Novak Djokovic (6)
Cameron Norrie
6-2 6-3 6-2

Alexander Zverev (3) def Tallon Griekspoor 6-4 3-0 (RET)

Alexander Zverev reached the Roland Garros quarter-finals for the seventh time in eight years on Monday, as Tallon Griekspoor retired during the second set.

Zverev, leading 6-4, 3-0, saw the Dutchman call for the physio before withdrawing after 54 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

Griekspoor, ranked World No. 35, had taken a 3-0 lead in the first set, but his game looked underpowered. The pair, meeting for the third time in 2025, have a history of tight matches, so I expected a battle out there.

However, it never really got going as Griekspoor’s abdomen was taped, and he wasn’t hitting his serve at its maximum.

Zverev has looked sharp in Paris so far, though, and although untested today, he has played some good tennis and should test Djokovic in Wednesday’s quarterfinal.

Match Stats

Alexander Zverev
Tallon Griekspoor

Winners
11
8

Unforced Errors
6
19

Serve Rating
297
223

Aces
3
0

Double Faults
1
0

1st Serve %
76% (26/34)
82% (31/38)

1st Serve Points Won
73% (19/26)
48% (15/31)

2nd Serve Points Won
63% (5/8)
50% (4/8)

Break Points Saved
50% (1/2)
20% (1/5)

Service Games
83% (5/6)
43% (3/7)

1st Return Points Won
52% (16/31)
27% (7/26)

2nd Return Points Won
50% (4/8)
38% (3/8)

Break Points Won
80% (4/5)
50% (1/2)

Return Games
57% (4/7)
17% (1/6)

Pressure Points
71% (5/7)
29% (2/7)

Service Points
71% (24/34)
47% (18/38)

Return Points
53% (20/38)
29% (10/34)

Net Points
50% (3/6)
57% (4/7)

Total Points
61% (44/72)
39% (28/72)

Match Points Saved
0
0

Max Points In A Row
6
3

Total Games
69% (9/13)
31% (4/13)

Max Games In A Row
5
3

Highlights

Novak Djokovic (6) def Cameron Norrie 6-2 6-3 6-2

Novak Djokovic notched up his 100th win at Roland Garros on Monday, becoming only the second player after Rafael Nadal (112 wins) to reach this mark at the event.

The sixth seed defeated Cameron Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the quarter-finals for the 16th straight year at the clay-court Grand Slam.

Norrie gave Novak a tough time in Geneva a week ago, but since then, Novak has grown in confidence and improved his level of tennis, whereas Norrie has stayed about the same.

That allowed the Serb to outclass the Brit with his typically precise game, where he has ultimate control over the ball from the baseline.

Norrie started well by going up a break, but Djokovic took advantage of his errors, and despite Norrie adopting a bolder strategy in the second set, which gave him some success, he struggled after a medical timeout for his left ankle at 3-4.

From there, Djokovic seized control, winning eight of the final 10 games in a two-hour, 14-minute victory.

It’s a very pretty number, but 101 victories sounds better. I will continue to search for another victory, it’s clearly not finished for me here. I’m very honoured to make history in this sport, which has given me everything in my life. I feel good. I always have high expectations, I know that I can always play better each day. But in the end, it’s 12 sets played, 12 sets won, so it’s all positive and solid up until now Novak on his win.

Match Stats

Cameron Norrie
Novak Djokovic

Winners
22
26

Unforced Errors
32
28

Aces
2
4

Double Faults
1
3

1st Serve %
59% (41/69)
60% (54/90)

1st Serve Points Won
46% (19/41)
72% (39/54)

2nd Serve Points Won
41% (12/29)
47% (17/36)

Break Points Saved
36% (4/11)
60% (3/5)

Service Games
42% (5/12)
85% (11/13)

1st Return Points Won
28% (15/54)
54% (22/41)

2nd Return Points Won
53% (19/36)
59% (17/29)

Break Points Won
40% (2/5)
64% (7/11)

Return Games
15% (2/13)
58% (7/12)

Pressure Points
38% (6/16)
63% (10/16)

Service Points
43% (30/69)
62% (56/90)

Return Points
38% (34/90)
57% (39/69)

Net Points
58% (15/26)
66% (19/29)

Total Points
40% (64/159)
60% (95/159)

Match Points Saved
0
0

Max Points In A Row
6
11

Total Games
28% (7/25)
72% (18/25)

Max Games In A Row
2
5

Highlights

Alexander Bublik def Jack Draper (5) 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-4

Alexander Bublik’s remarkable Roland Garros campaign continued on Monday with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 upset over Jack Draper, marking his second Top 10 victory of the week.

Despite Bublik’s improved performances on clay this season, including a Challenger title in Turin, I thought Draper would have too much power and consistency for the Kazakh.

However, Bublik brought a different look to the table, and Draper suffered death by a thousand drop shots.

After dropping the first set, Bublik roared back, matching Draper from the baseline and then picking him off with some perfectly executed dropshot that the Brit couldn’t get close to reaching.

Bublik’s style of play also won over the crowd, and his serve made a significant contribution to his cause, winning 79% of his first-serve points throughout the match.

Although they’re in no way similar in terms of game style, some of Bublik’s drop shots and chips were Federer-esque, and outside the antics you often see from him on court, he has a very complete game. There were even a couple of half SABRs from him.

I also think Draper played well and can’t be too disappointed. He fought hard in that last game, very nearly breaking back, and some of his defensive play was very impressive. Bublik was just too good.

Sometimes in life, there’s only one chance, and I had a feeling that that was mine, and I couldn’t let it slip. Standing here, it’s the best moment of my life, period. Bublik on his win.

Match Stats

Alexander Bublik
Jack Draper

Winners
68
37

Unforced Errors
39
25

Aces
8
12

Double Faults
7
4

1st Serve %
61% (77/127)
70% (74/106)

1st Serve Points Won
81% (62/77)
72% (53/74)

2nd Serve Points Won
44% (23/52)
42% (14/33)

Break Points Saved
71% (5/7)
17% (1/6)

Service Games
90% (18/20)
74% (14/19)

1st Return Points Won
28% (21/74)
19% (15/77)

2nd Return Points Won
58% (19/33)
56% (29/52)

Break Points Won
83% (5/6)
29% (2/7)

Return Games
26% (5/19)
10% (2/20)

Pressure Points
77% (10/13)
23% (3/13)

Service Points
66% (84/127)
62% (66/106)

Return Points
38% (40/106)
34% (43/127)

Net Points
83% (33/40)
42% (14/33)

Total Points
53% (124/233)
47% (109/233)

Match Points Saved
0
1

Max Points In A Row
6
4

Total Games
59% (23/39)
41% (16/39)

Max Games In A Row
5
4

Highlights

Jannik Sinner (1) def Andrey Rublev (17) 6-1 6-3 6-4

Jannik Sinner powered into the Roland Garros quarter-finals on Monday, defeating Andrey Rublev 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 in a commanding performance on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Pre-match, I figured Rublev would not be able to disrupt Sinner in the slightest, and that’s how it panned out.

Rublev opened aggressively as he always does, earning two break points in the first game, but Sinner responded decisively, saving both with steady baseline play and going on to dominate the 30-minute first set.

The way Rublev plays will always allow a player to build rhythm, and unless the Russian can overpower them from the baseline, he doesn’t have any other real way to win points. No real net play, no drop shots, no slices, no variety.

Overpowering Sinner is not possible, as he moves too well and the way he hits the ball, even out in the corners, completely neutralises Rublev’s aggressive style, allowing him to counter with punishing winners from both wings.

Sinner now faces Bublik, and I think the Kazakh will offer more resistance, as he has a more varied game. Can he stay focused over five sets against Sinner’s precision? That remains to be seen, but if he dials in the dropshot like he did today against Draper, he can at least test out Sinner’s legs running forward.