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By Erik Gudris | Thursday, May 29, 2014

 
Jelena Jankovic French Open 2014

With the French Open women's draw now wide open, many players including Jelena Jankovic are keeping a tight focus on their game as they enter the third round.

Photo Credit: Peter Staples

With the French Open still recovering from the aftershocks of both Serena Williams and Li Na being dealt early round losses, Thursday gave players and fans a chance to catch their breaths.

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That was especially true for several seeded players who are now being touted as title contenders even before the second week begins.

No. 4 seed Simona Halep, who was picked by many to at least reach the semifinals, continued her quest with a straightforward 6-2, 6-4 win over Heather Watson of the U.K.

Halep admitted later she does feel pressure being a top seed.

"Yeah, a little pressure, but I want just to stay focused for every match, because here every match it's very tough. It's a tough tournament, and I have to play my best, to do everything on court match by match, and after, I will see how far I can go."

Petra Kvitova, seeded fifth, took care of business with a 6-4, 6-4 win over New Zealand's Marina Erakovic. Next up for Kvitova will be No. 28 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova who saw off the streaky Italian Camlia Giorgi 7-6(5), 6-3.

No. 6 seed Jelena Jankovic faced Japan's Kurumi Nara in the second round in what was their third consecutive meeting at a major. Jankovic advanced 7-5, 6-0. Later, Jankovic said her focus was on her game and not on the recent openings in the draw.

"There is still lots of great players in the draw and every match gets tougher as the rounds get as we progress through the rounds, through the tournament," Jankovic said. "I have to focus on my game, on my tennis, and just focus one match at a time and not really look too far who lost, who is still in."

Another possible title contender in Ana Ivanovic overcame a tough test against rising WTA talent Elina Svitolina. Ivanovic secured a tough opening set before soon wrapping up a 7-5, 6-2 win.

American Sloane Stephens continued showing some impressive early form by easily beating Polona Hercog 6-1, 6-3.

"I mean, there's still a lot of players that are seeded high that have that do really well in slams, that have a great opportunity to do well like the rest of the top 20 players," Stephens said about the draw. "I mean, there is a lot of people that could do well. I mean, it is what it is. You've just gotta go and compete, like I said."

Other winners on the day included Sara Errani and Lucie Safarova. France's Kristina Mladenovic, who upset Li Na earlier, advanced into the third round with a 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3 win over Alison Riske.

 

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