She also has some very famous eyes on her progress, one of which is certainly a keen observer, Serena Williams. Serena is expected to return to London’s Queen’s Club next week – and Mboko is reportedly playing doubles with her there. This left our young superstar a bit speechless.
“I’m very happy,” she said, laughing. “Serena and I have been in touch, which is really great, because you know, I really respect her. I mean, the fact that she knows me is very exciting. I want to leave this moment for her. I think if she’s ready to come back on her own terms, I think it’s up to her to make that announcement.”
In the meantime, she has her match with Keys to focus on. Fisset is giving her the confidence to attack and the records show she has the ability to do so: their last meeting was in Adelaide in January when Mboko won in three sets.
Court Philippe-Chatrier, first match
Flavio Coboli (10) vs Lerner TN (18)
At 24, Coboli has every right to consider himself a young, up-and-coming player (now ranked 14th, he had his breakout Grand Slam by reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon last summer) but, by TN standards, the Italian is old news. TN is 20 years old and is ranked 18th in the world. He has two titles to his name – one won last year, one this one – and he is one of the new generation of rising stars.
“I think all the young guys coming in want to prove themselves,” Tien said. “I think a lot of the guys coming up really have a lot of confidence in themselves that they are at this level, and that they can challenge the top guys at these events. I think that’s huge. I think just believing is a big first step, and I think a lot of these young guys, including myself, are very eager to go out and prove themselves.” She proved herself last year by winning in straight sets against Koboli on the hard courts of Beijing.
Court Suzanne-Lenglen, first match
Naomi Osaka (16) vs. Iva Jovic (17)
Osaka should remember what it’s like to be Djokovic, the teenage sensation making her mark on the WTA Tour. For Jovic, this is all very new: this is his first third-round appearance here (and only his second visit to Roland-Garros). She has never played or even practiced with Osaka before and – most importantly for her – she got another chance to meet her idol, Novak Djokovic.
They first met in Australia in January when she was advancing to the quarter-finals and here she met him again. And like any 18-year-old girl in the presence of a living legend, she was completely awestruck. “Apparently, starstruck,” she shouted. “Everything is chaos here. It’s amazing to be here, okay? Maybe one day I’ll wake up and it’ll all sink in.” What has sunk in is what he has to do against Osaka on Saturday. “He’s got a great offense, so hopefully I can’t let him attack and do the things he can do very well,” Jovic said. “Hopefully I can make him a little uncomfortable.”
Court Suzanne-Lenglen, third match
Moise Kouame vs. Alejandro Tabillo
France has a new hero: stepping-up 17-year-old Parisian Moise Koume, who fought for nearly five hours to defeat Adolfo Vallejo in five sets on Thursday. A wildcard entry with a ranking of No. 318, he plays like a seasoned professional and he fights like a heavyweight boxer. On the evidence of this debut Moise will go a long way. And he thinks big.
“Winning Roland-Garros is obviously a dream,” he said, “but winning all four is really a dream, you know.” Becoming world number 1 is also a dream. Well, then this will be taken care of in the next few months. But before he can reach the top, he will have to overcome Tebilo on Saturday. He knows there will be a crowd behind him and he knows how to use that energy to his advantage. “Actually, I practice this kind of thing, you know?” He said. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing, drawing the crowd and putting on a little show on the court is, of course, something I love.” Oh yes, Moise will go very far.
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