Gaël Monfils, world number 9, was eliminated on Monday, September 28, in the first round of Roland Garros, a first in his career since 2005. The Frenchman was beaten by the Kazakh Alexander Bublik (49th) in four sets 6- 4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Ninth in the world and best Frenchman, Monfils gave the impression of being lost on the Suzanne-Lenglen court, and wandered for more than two and a half hours, to finally lose in four sets (6-4, 7-5 , 3-6, 6-3) against Kazakh Alexander Bublik (49th).

In the space of four sets Monday night, he panicked the statistics in the wrong direction: 58 unforced errors, 12 double faults for only five aces.

Unacceptable, even against Bublik who never went beyond the second round at Roland Garros (2019).

"I have no words. It's my worst match (at Roland Garros). I think it has been seen that I do not have very good feelings at the moment," he said commented.

"What can I do if I want to get mad?"



While he had the break in his pocket Gaël Monfils was joined by Alexander Bublik!

When changing sides, the Frenchman will then ask for advice ... from the referee 😂 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/G1JyXMoP5P

- France tv sport (@francetvsport) September 28, 2020

This initial setback confirms the poor patch of the French N.1 since the post-Covid-19 recovery.

His season had started off at a very good pace, however, between a round of 16 at the Australian Open, two titles in Montpellier then Rotterdam, and a half in Dubai.

His compatriot Corentin Moutet only surrendered his arms against the Italian Lorenzo Giustino after 6:05 a.m. of a fight in five sets and two days (0-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 18-16).

On the other hand, the nice surprise on the French side came from the young Clara Burel, 19, who will surely remember her first steps at Roland Garros for a long time.

The former N.1 world juniors beneficiary of an invitation defeated the Dutch Arantxa Rus (67th) 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 in the heart of at night, past midnight, in front of a handful of night owl spectators.

Thiem and Nadal without forcing

Dominic Thiem, winner of the US Open two weeks ago and double finalist out of Roland-Garros, passed his first test with flying colors against Marin Cilic (6-4, 6-3, 6-3), in conditions games that reminded him of his youth.

Rafael Nadal, less a fan of the extreme conditions of this autumnal Roland Garros, was convincing (6-4, 6-4, 6-2) against Belarusian Egor Gerasimov (83rd).

If he triumphed for the thirteenth time on Parisian clay, the Mallorcan would equal the record for Grand Slam crowns (20) set by Roger Federer.

Rafa at Roland-Garros.



A sight that never gets old. # RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/Ygc0vL4taL

- Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 28, 2020

Much less comfortable on clay, Daniil Medvedev has still not won a single match at Roland Garros in four appearances.

This time, the world No. 5 gave in to Hungarian Marton Fucsovics (63rd) in four sets (6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 2-6, 6-1).

In women, Serena Williams has experienced a sluggish takeoff.

The American needed a set, 72 minutes long, to warm up: led 4-2, then 5-4 serve to be followed by her compatriot Kristie Ahn (102nd), she got away with decisive game.

Ahn did not register any more play afterwards.

With AFP 

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