Live Coverage of Novak Djokovic, Elise Mertens, and Alcaraz at French Open 2023 by The Guardian

We are experiencing some technical difficulties, please excuse us. In the meantime, there have been a couple of holds, and both players are now tied at five games each in the second set - the pressure is on!

While we were having technical issues, Karen Khachanov managed to level the match against Lorenzo Sonego, with the score reading Khachanov 1-6, 6-4 Sonego.

Pavlyuchenkova had an opportunity at 15-30, but unfortunately made two errors, which resulted in some unhappy exchanges with the umpire and a few boos from the crowd. Mertens was able to capitalize on these mistakes and held her serve.

Pavlyuchenkova now serves at 4-3, still alive and playing well in the second set. On another court, Khachanov leads Sonego 5-3.

Just moments ago, Pavlyuchenkova was almost losing the match after being in danger of going two breaks down, but she managed to recover and leveled the second set with a smash that Mertens could not return.

Pavlyuchenkova saved at least seven break points, maintaining her poise in the face of adversity. Mertens ultimately held her serve, and she now holds a three-game lead in the decider.

The women’s singles match enters the business end of the proceedings, with Mertens leading 6-3, 2-1. Meanwhile, a loss of form for Khachanov sees him trailing 1-6, 3-2 against Sonego in the men’s singles.

Pavlyuchenkova continues to battle hard against Mertens, but unfortunately, Mertens breaks and gains control of the match.

Elise Mertens has secured the first set 6-3 against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and she now has a chance to break in the second set.

Iga Swiatek continues to dominate the French Open 2021, scoring another double bagel with a comprehensive 6-0, 6-0 win over Wang Xinyu. However, she remains humble and respectful towards her fellow players, stressing that it is not easy for opponents and that she wants to remain focused on her tennis.

Swiatek's next match will be against Lesia Tsurenko, who describes facing the world No. 1 as "one of the biggest challenges on tour."

Tumaini Carayol provides the day seven report.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of day eight at Roland Garros. We’ve reached the last 16 in the men’s and women’s singles, and a number of the favourites are in action today: Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas in the men’s, Arnya Sabalenka and Daria Kasatkina in the women’s.

This is the order of play on the main courts, culled absent-mindedly from the news wires.

Philippe Chatrier

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus) v (28) Elise Mertens (Bel)

(3) Novak Djokovic (Ser) v Juan Pablo Varillas (Per)

(1) Carlos Alcaraz Garfia (Spa) v (17) Lorenzo Musetti (Ita)

Sloane Stephens (USA) v (2) Aryna Sabalenka (Blr)

Suzanne Lenglen

(11) Karen Khachanov (Rus) v Lorenzo Sonego (Ita)

Karolina Muchova (Cze) v Elina Avanesyan (Rus)

Elina Svitolina (Ukr) v (9) Daria Kasatkina (Rus)

Sebastian Ofner (Aut) v (5) Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre)