Faithful to his offensive play, the French Pierre-Hugues Herbert (85e in the ATP ranking) came very close to signing the feat of the day. After a difficult start to the match on the Susanne-Lenglen court, he fought a fierce battle against the Italian Jannik Sinner (6e), one of the rare players to have jostled Rafael Nadal in his garden at Porte d’Auteuil. He finally lost in five sets and 3:23, after getting a match point in 4e : (6-1, 4-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4).
Alizé Cornet entrance exit
On this Monday, eight French women and men were or are in the running: five for men and three for women. The tournament stopped at the start for Alizé Cornet, 65e World, who was beaten by Harmony Tan (6-4, 6-4).
The latter, 149e world and beneficiary of an invitation, at 23 years old had never passed the first round of the Parisian Major in two participations (2019 and 2020).
Benoît Paire is in great danger against the solid Norwegian Casper Ruud (15e), clay specialist, who has just won the Geneva tournament. The prognosis is unfavorable for him, but the Avignon player is capable of anything, from the worst to the best.
The day will also be complicated for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who is starting what could be his last Roland-Garros. At 36, the French player fell to 77e rank in the ATP rankings, following numerous injuries. He is opposed to Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka, 57e global.
Finally, the title holder, the Polish Iga Swiatek celebrated her 20e birthday on the Philippe-Chatrier court by dominating the Slovenian Kaja Juvan (6-0, 7-5).