The prospect of peaceful "reunification" with Taiwan is being increasingly "eroded" by Taiwanese separatists and external forces, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun said on Sunday, promising to ensure independence never happens. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, over the strong objections of the government in Taipei, and last month staged war games round the island in anger at the May 20 inauguration of President Lai Ching-te who Beijing calls a "separatist".
His match was pushed back into the early hours of the morning due to the incessant rain which has seen this tournament dubbed the ‘Drench Open’.
Novak Djokovic’s French Open title defence is still alive thanks to a comeback win in five sets over Lorenzo Musetti – though he had to play until after 3am local time in the latest finish in the tournament’s history.