Love finds Anastasia Potapova, Olga Danilovic ahead of breakthrough Roland Garros runs

FLASHBACK: Potapova's strong spring included a semifinal finish at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

PARIS—Sun was setting on Court Suzanne-Lenglen as Alexander Shevchenko’s Roland Garros campaign suffered an abrupt end at the hands of in-form Italian Lorenzo Sonego. Sitting in the stands with every confidence he could come back was girlfriend and fellow player Anastasia Potapova, who herself had booked a spot in the third round earlier that afternoon.

“We’ve been dating for six months,” she tells me after battling past Mayar Sherif in three sets to earn a career-best result on the terre battue.

“Obviously, I didn’t know how it was going to work because scheduling in tennis is never easy. But somehow we’ve been able to manage it and in fact, it’s like we’ve spent every week together and we see each other a lot, which is a very good thing.”

The two have surged up the rankings in tandem this spring: Shevchenko has enjoyed a slew of milestones in 2023, including a Top 100 debut, back-to-back third-rounds in Madrid and Rome before making his major main-draw debut in Paris, where he fell in the second round to the 17th-seeded Musetti.

Potapova’s rise has been even more meteoric thanks to a quarterfinal run at the Miami Open and semifinal finish in Stuttgart, putting her on the precipice of the WTA Top 20. Though she primarily credits a strong team led by former ATP player Igor Andreev, Shevchenko undoubtedly adds a welcome new dimension to life on what can be a grueling life on tour.

“It’s really helpful to have someone who can support you, not just on your team, but someone you’re close to,” she explains. “He’s someone who not only knows tennis but also wants what is best for you. Even if I play like shit, he’s still going to support me, so that’s very nice to have someone like this on the tour. He understands.”

The two are planning a long weekend between Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but Shevchenko will likely be by Court 14 to cheer Potapova on against countrywoman Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova; the 22-year-old is aiming to make a maiden voyage to a Grand Slam second week.

Looking to do the same on Saturday will be Olga Danilovic, who defeated Potapova in the first WTA final between players born in the new millennium back in 2018. Danilovic is in completely uncharted territory after knocking out Jasmine Paolini to reach her first Grand Slam third-round, an overdue result for the obvious talent.

“Before, I think the emotions were overcoming me sometimes,” the ever-exuberant Serbian lefty said after the match, “but now I think I handled them well. You know, I'm satisfied but I'm never satisfied enough. So, I always go for more, but I just try to enjoy in this moment, and then for tomorrow I will think about the next match.”

Partner Jan Oblak will be helping in that endeavor. Danilovic confirmed her relationship with the Atlético Madrid goalkeeper with laugh earlier in the week: “It is now clearer why I am based in Madrid.”

Like Potapova, Danilovic centers the hard work it took to overcome numerous setbacks with injuries and illnesses, but conceded to Mozzart Sport, “When you feel good, everything becomes more beautiful, easier, and better. That’s how it is when you feel fulfilled in every aspect.”

With personal lives looking bright, might Potapova and Danilovic achieve professional fulfillment with a deep run in the City of Light?