Cocciaretto Triumphs at French Open: An Unbelievable Journey

Italian tennis player Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 23, made waves by beating Russian 17th seed Liudmila Samsonova to advance to the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time. Despite initial over-thinking, Cocciaretto played with heart and determination, celebrating this milestone achievement.

Highlights of the sixth day at the French Open on Friday (times GMT): 1050 COCCIARETTO CRUISES INTO LAST 16

Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 23, beat Russian 17th seed Liudmila Samsonova 7-6(4) 6-2 to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time. "I think I played unbelievable the first games … after that I was over-thinking," Cocciaretto said. "I said to myself: play with the heart and not with the brain … I tried to stay in the game and to fight… I'm really really happy to play in this court and be in the fourth round for the first time. It's unbelievable for me right now."

PLAY UNDER WAY AT 0909 GMT Play began under cloudy skies at Roland Garros, with the temperature lingering around 14 degrees Celsius (57.2°F).

Russian 17th seed Liudmila Samsonova plays Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto on Court Suzanne-Lenglen and Serbian Olga Danilovic faces Croatian Donna Vekic on Court Simonne-Mathieu in the third round of action in women's singles. Third seed Coco Gauff and Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska will be in action in an hour on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

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