New York (AFP)
Antoine Hoang, 104th in the world, is the last Frenchman qualified for the second round of the US Open, after his victory on Tuesday against Argentine Leonardo Mayer (95th) 3-6, 6-2, 6-7 (6/8) , 6-1, 6-3.
"It's a great relief and a great pride to be able to win my first match in 5 sets," commented Hoang.
"I was not a favorite so I did not have any expectations in terms of results, I just wanted to prove to myself that I could compete with this type of player and not give in mentally. the whole game telling me to play as you want to play, do not think too much and trust you, "he added.
In the next round, the 23-year-old Frenchman will face Australian Nick Kyrgios (30th) or American Steve Johnson (86th).
For his first US Open, his second Grand Slam tournament after Roland Garros this summer where he had reached the third round, Hoang joined a contingent of 10 Tricolores in the second round.
Five qualified on Tuesday: Antoine Hoang, Gael Monfils, Gilles Simon and Benoît Pair at the gentlemen, as well as Alizé Cornet at the ladies. Five others were eliminated: Diane Parry and Pauline Parmentier in the ladies, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Ugo Humbert and Richard Gasquet in the men's.
© 2019 AFP