Highlights of French Open 13th day

PARIS, June 8 (Reuters) – Highlights from day 13 of the French Open tennis championships on Friday (times GMT):

1355 HOZUMI-NINOMIYA THROUGH TO WOMEN’S DOUBLES FINAL

The Japanese pair Eri Hozumi and Makato Ninomiya cruised past Taiwan’s Hao-Ching Chan and Zhaoxuan Yang of China 6-2 6-2 to reach the women’s doubles final.

1325 THIEM MARCHES INTO TITLE CLASH

Dominic Thiem made short work of the third set against an exhausted Marco Cecchinato to seal a 7-5 7-6(10) 6-1 win. Thiem, the number seven seed, became only the second Austrian player to reach a Grand Slam final. Thomas Muster, who won the title at Roland Garros in 1995, is the other.

“I think the key was the second set because it was a close tie-break,” said Thiem, who faces holder Rafa Nadal or Juan Martin del Potro next.

“It’s very important to regenerate, have a good breakfast tomorrow. I’ll study my opponent, whoever it is, and then full power on Sunday.”

1300 THIEM DOUBLES LEAD IN CONTEST

Dominic Thiem edged a tight second 7-6(10) in the tiebreak for a two-set lead over Italian Marco Cecchinato.

1224 PAVIC-MARACH THROUGH TO MEN’S DOUBLES FINAL

Second seeds Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic beat the Spanish pair of Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez 6-4 7-5 to advance to the men’s doubles final. They face the French duo of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in the title clash.

1220 NO PRESSURE FOR STEPHENS AHEAD OF HALEP FINAL

American Sloane Stephens said she was not feeling any pressure ahead of Saturday’s Roland Garros title clash against world number one Simona Halep.

“I just try to go day to day, take it moment by moment. I try not to put too much pressure on myself. That’s the easiest way to compete, when you’re not thinking about too many things,” the U.S. Open champion, who is seeking her second major, said.

“I just try to stay relaxed in myself and enjoy it. Because obviously if you’re struggling with things and you’re not happy, it makes it more difficult to have good results or success.”

1153 THIEM TAKES OPENING SET AGAINST CECCHINATO

Dominic Thiem fired 13 winners and converted two out of four break point opportunities to claim the opening set of the semi-final match against Italian Marco Cecchinato 7-5.

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French Open organisers on the hunt to flush out illegal gamblers (Compiled by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge/Jon Boyle/Susan Fenton)