PARIS: Greek fourth seed Maria Sakkari crashed out in the French Open second round on Wednesday, going down 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4) to Czech world number 81 Karolina Muchova.
Sakkari, a 2021 Roland Garros semifinalist, is the fifth women's top-10 seed to lose in the first four days at Roland Garros.
Muchova has matched her run to the third round from 12 months ago and will next play 27th seed Amanda Anisimova, who reached the last four in Paris three years ago.
"It's very special, she's an amazing player. It was a big fight, a little bit of a test and challenge for me and I'm happy I took it the way I did," said Muchova.
The 25-year-old reached the semi-finals at last year's Australian Open and the last eight for the second time at Wimbledon, but is playing just her fourth tournament since the US Open after struggling with an abdominal injury.
"It's an amazing feeling I can play again fully."
Earlier, former Grand Slam champions Angelique Kerber and Victoria Azarenka advanced to the third round.
Kerber, who won her first clay title in six years on the eve of the French Open, defeated French wildcard and 2020 junior champion Elsa Jacquemot 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) as she seeks the only Grand Slam missing from her collection.
The German 21st seed next plays Aliaksandra Sasnovich, the Belarusian who knocked out US Open champion Emma Raducanu 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.
"I think the last week was really important for me to get the title," former number one Kerber said of her Strasbourg triumph.
"I had a lot of confidence. It's great to be back here and I hope I can still play a few more matches.
"When you achieve everything you want, you play for the love of the game. I just love the sport. Let's see how long I can keep playing at a high level."
Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open winner, beat 2014 Roland Garros semifinalist Andrea Petkovic 6-1, 7-6 (7/3). She meets Swiss 23rd seed Jil Teichmann for a place in the fourth round.
-- AFP
French Open results
Men (second round)
Aljaz Bedene (SLO) bt Pablo Cuevas (URU) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4; Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN x9) bt Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) 6-0, 6-3, 6-4; John Isner (USA x23) bt Gregoire Barrere (FRA) 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5); Bernabe Zapata Miralles (ESP) bt Taylor Fritz (USA x13) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3; Cameron Norrie (GBR x10) bt Jason Kubler (AUS) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3; Karen Khachanov (x21) bt Hugo Dellien (BOL) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3
Women (second round)
Angelique Kerber (GER x21) bt Elsa Jacquemot (FRA) 6-1, 7-6 (7/2); Aliaksandra Sasnovich bt Emma Raducanu (GBR x12) 3-6, 6-1, 6-1; Amanda Anisimova (USA x27) bt Donna Vekic (CRO) 6-4, 6-1; Karolina Muchova (CZE) bt Maria Sakkari (GRE x4) 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4); Elise Mertens (BEL x31) bt Marie Bouzkova (CZE) walkover; Coco Gauff (USA x18) bt Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL) 6-1, 7-6 (7/4); Kaia Kanepi (EST) bt Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) 6-4, 6-4; Victoria Azarenka (x15) bt Andrea Petkovic (GER) 6-1, 7-6 (7/3); Jil Teichmann (SUI x23) bt Olga Danilovic (SRB) 6-4, 6-1
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