Beaten from the start during his first two participations in the Parisian Grand Slam, in 2020 (by Nishioka) and 2021 (by Seppi), the 21-year-old Canadian did not go far from reliving the same experience once again.
Unrecognizable for two rounds, the recent quarter-finalist in Madrid and Rome, however, managed to come to his senses with his back to the wall, to win in almost 3 hours and 15 minutes.
"It's a dream and an honor for me to play here: first time on the Philippe-Chatrier court, first victory at Roland-Garros. I'm very satisfied with the way I finished", appreciates the Montrealer, accompanied by Toni Nadal for just over a year.
"At the beginning he was playing very fast, very aggressive, flat. I tried to give myself space and a little time to see the game better, I served better too, he explained It wasn't above four hours either, I tested myself well mentally and physically."
In the second round, Auger-Aliassime will face the Russian Aslan Karatsev or the Argentinian from the qualifications Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
© 2022 AFP