FRENCH OPEN DIARY: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova reaches her eighth Grand Slam quarter-final

Novak Djokovic continued his impressive start to the French Open on Sunday with a straight-set win over Juan Palblo Varillas.

He remains on track to beat Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals after the Spaniard reached his fourth Grand Slam quarterfinal by defeating Lorenzo Musetti.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also reached the last eight of the women’s singles despite missing a year of tennis through injury.

Here, LEWIS STEELE from Mail Sport rounds up some of the great stories from Paris.

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Murray turns away

Jamie Murray’s French Open was over when he woke up on Sunday with a nasty bout of food poisoning.

Murray was scheduled to play his second round of mixed doubles alongside American partner Taylor Townsend, but felt terrible after eating at a Parisian seafood restaurant and pulled out before the start of the game.

Jessica Pegula, No. 3 in the women’s tournament, also lost her tournament for a similar reason.

Pavlyuchenkova keeps the fairy tale alive

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is ranked world number 333 after missing a year of tennis with a knee injury, but continues a fairy tale in Paris to reach an eighth Grand Slam quarterfinal.

She can’t play Wimbledon because of her ranking, but she was asked if she wants to try a wild card. ‘Are you serious? After everything last year?’ she replied, pointing to the ban on Russians and Belarusians last year.

‘I don’t think they’ll give me one. But actually you’re right – thank you – I’ll ask and let you know at the next press conference.’

Chess on clay court for Djokovic

Novak DJjokovic has only dropped one set in Grand Slams this year, against French qualifier Enzo Couacaud in Australia, but his quarterfinal opponent here might give him a better test.

Karen Khachanov is in the last eight of a Slam for the fifth time – three of them in the last three majors – and the Russian is an avid chess player.

Asked about his moves prior to meeting the grandmaster, Khachanov said, “I’m not going to tell you my chess moves – because you will tell him!” There are many matches at Roland Garros, so many checkmates are needed.’

Alcaraz in good company

Carlos Alcaraz is in his fourth Grand Slam quarterfinal after he made short work of Lorenzo Musetti on Sunday.

Since 2000, only two male players have earned more before turning 21: Rafa Nadal (six) and Novak Djokovic (five).