Paris (AFP)

The French camp did not let itself be demobilized by the closed session imposed at the last minute at the Masters 1000 at Paris-Bercy, with three out of three qualified for the second round on Monday, before the entry into the running of Hugo Gaston, recent hero Roland-Garros blue.

More than 15,000 empty seats, a silence only disturbed by the hum of the air conditioning, and the rare encouragement or applause from the players and their entourage - limited to two people -, a prize money cut by more than two million euros (3.7 million against 5.8 in 2019): here is an overview of the Parisian tournament Covid-19 version.

Less than a week ago, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) still expected to welcome a thousand spectators daily - the same size as at Roland-Garros at the end of September-beginning of October - during the day and only play behind closed doors. 'in the evening.

But the announcement of the reconfinement as of October 30 shattered his hopes.

It did not discourage the French players competing on Monday, on the contrary: before Gaston's first steps expected in the evening against the Spaniard Pablo Carreno (15th), Ugo Humbert, Corentin Moutet and Benjamin Bonzi, both of them beneficiaries of an invitation, made it to the second round.

Humbert, 34th in the world and top ranked Habs in the absence of Gaël Monfils and Benoît Paire, defeated 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) from the young and formidable Norwegian Casper Ruud (27th ).

"It's weird because the hall is very, very big, but I'm trying to do what I have to do on the court and I'm already very happy to be able to play. It's empty but that's how it is." , comments the Lorrainer, who remained on a title in Antwerp eight days ago, his second of the season after Auckland in January.

- "Intimate" -

This is his very first victory in the Paris room.

In 2018 as in 2019, he lost in the first round (against Mannarino and Dimitrov).

"I also managed to win mentally today", welcomed Humbert, who will tackle Stefanos Tsitsipas, seeded No. 2 and No. 6 world, from Tuesday evening.

Winner of the Italian Salvatore Caruso (81st) 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 after two and a half hours of the match, Moutet (75th) finds his account in these still unusual conditions.

"It's nice to play in a more intimate atmosphere. There are fewer superficial things. We end up with the people we like and love," he said.

Bonzi (180th), he dispatched the Argentinian Federico Coria (93rd) 6-2, 6-1.

Rafael Nadal, absolute king of Roland-Garros where he offered himself a thirteenth historic crown three weeks ago, but never crowned in eastern Paris and not very successful on hard indoor (only one title out of the 86 in his palmares, in Madrid in 2005), now knows his first opponent: it is his compatriot Feliciano Lopez (64th), striker of Serbian Filip Krajinovic (30th) 7-6 (13/11), 6-1.

"It's a gift to play against + Rafa +," said Lopez, the oldest player on the board at 39.

"It's a shame that the room is empty, but for my last tournament of the season and at this stage of my career, playing against the world No.2, one of the best players in history, also a friend, it remains a nice reward, he continues. For any mortal player, facing Rafa or Roger (Federer) in such a tournament, at 39, it's a reward. "

See you on Wednesday for this 100% Spanish duel.

At stake for Nadal, obtaining in passing the thousandth victory of his prestigious career.

© 2020 AFP