French Open 2021 LIVE - Naomi Osaka, Aryna Sabalenka and Stefanos Tsitsipas all in action on day one at Roland-Garros
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ByEurosport
Updated 30/05/2021 at 21:03 GMT
The first day of the French Open sees Grand Slam winners Naomi Osaka and Dominic Thiem in action, while Britain's Dan Evans missed out on a first ever win at the tournament. Stefanos Tsitsipas meets Jérémy Chardy in the final match on Court Philippe Chatrier. The French Open is live on Eurosport. Watch every match live and ad-free on the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk.
Stefanos Tsitsipas: I want to be the surprise of the tournament
The French Open is here and day one sees Grand Slam winners in both the men's and women's draws. The reigning US Open and Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka began her tournament and her pursuit of a fifth Grand Slam title with a win over Patricia Maria Tig. US Open winner Dominic Thiem was also in action against Pablo Andujar but was the victim of the major upset of the day. The Austrian lost in a decider after blowing a two-set lead.
Great Britain's Daniel Evans went down in four sets against Miomir Kecmanovic while rising star Aryna Sabalenka saw off Ana Konjuh. Elsewhere, Stefanos Tsitsipas, on the favourable side of the draw, begins his quest against Jérémy Chardy.
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'It's a bad move' - Wilander on Osaka not doing press at French Open
Until next time...
That's it for out coverage of Day One of the 2021 French Open. Join us again on Monday morning for much more tennis.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! - TSITSIPAS 7-6 6-3 6-1 CHARDY
It’s another break and it is all over! Stefanos surges into round two with a solid if unspectacular straight sets win over Chardy. He grew as the match wore on and stood tall during the tough moments. It was hard work for most of the two hours and four minutes but in the end the Greek got the reward he deserved.
TSITSIPAS 7-6 6-3 5-1 CHARDY
No alarm bells or nerves here. Tsitsipas is carrying a very business-like demeanour. He’s keen to get this job done and dusted and shrugs off a double fault to race through a very simple hold. He’s one away from round two.
TSITSIPAS 7-6 6-3 4-1 CHARDY
Tsitsipas mutters in irritation and puts his hands on his hips. He’s just hooked a backhand wide that he expected to make for a break point. Instead, Chardy seizes the opening and finally gets himself on the board.
TSITSIPAS 7-6 6-3 4-0 CHARDY
Jeremy digs deep but just can’t quite muster enough to truly challenge the youngster. He makes a lovely volley for deuce but Tsitsipas refuses to let him back in and backs up the double break with two quickfire points.
BREAK! - TSITSIPAS 7-6 6-3 3-0 CHARDY
The Frenchman is leaking errors left, right and centre now. He can only volley into the net when Stef fires a body shot his way and he coughs up a poor break from his perspective when he snatches at a forehand and lashes it low into net.
BREAK! - TSITSIPAS 7-6 6-3 1-0 CHARDY
He’s on the charge! Tsitsipas goes for the jugular and with his inner belief now surely knocked, Chardy coughs up a couple of significant errors from 30-30 to hand his opponent an immediate break to start Set 3.
SET! - TSITSIPAS 7-6 6-3 CHARDY
He’s had to work very hard for it but Tsitsipas now has that two-set advantage. He has to rally from 0-30 to back up his break but a couple of bullet forehands – including the one to claim the set after a replayed point – turn the tables in his favour.
BREAK! - TSITSIPAS 7-6 5-3 CHARDY
Sublime. There is that piece of magic. The number five seed snares two break points but sees the first batted away. A tough rally ensues with Chardy in charge but Stef reads the drop shot and somehow gets there in time to guide a deft flick up the Frenchman’s right win to make the breakthrough. He will now serve for the set.
TSITSIPAS 7-6 4-3 CHARDY
‘Ela!’ That’s the cry in Greek as Tsitsipas misses what in football terms would be an open goal, Fortunately he’s well ahead in the game and he gets over the line to stay ahead on the board with a hold to 30. He’s a tad frustrated that he can’t find the level he wants out there, but is still within range of a two-set lead if he can conjure up some magic in the next few games.
TSITSIPAS 7-6 3-3 CHARDY
The Frenchman’s belief is not wavering here. He continues to serve well and has yet to wobble playing catch up on the scoreboard. That could well change in the next few games as we near the crucial part of the set.
TSITSIPAS 7-6 3-2 CHARDY
Well, that’s more like it from the Greek. There was no messing about there. He marauds through a love hold and struts back to his chair.
TSITSIPAS 7-6 2-2 CHARDY
Tsitsipas just can’t quite crack the Chardy code right now. He unloads the backhand and gets a foothold in the game but it’s still not enough to ruffle his feathers. Still on serve in Set 2.
TSITSIPAS 7-6 2-1 CHARDY
Stef duffs a volley he’d normally make with eyes closed at the net and is forced into another tussle at deuce. Chardy can’t up the ante and the Greek ace keeps his nose in front. It’s tense out there right now. Both players are stepping it up in an effort to swing the pendulum their way, but it’s so finely poised.
TSITSIPAS 7-6 1-1 CHARDY
That’s a superb hold for Chardy. He can’t convert a 40-15 lead and is made to rally and defend hard from deuce. Tsitsipas mixes the good with the very bad but can’t manufacture an opportunity and the Frenchman manages to come through the test unscathed.
TSITSIPAS 7-6 1-0 CHARDY
A second ace of the match helps Tsitsipas maintain the momentum at the start of Set 2 with a convincing hold to 15. He looked edgy from the mid-point of that opener. Will taking the TB have calmed him and allow him to display more of the quality that has seen him shine so bright during the clay swing?
SET! - TSITSIPAS 7-6 CHARDY
The Greek starlet takes the breaker 8-6 after a 57-minute tussle where Chardy pushed him all the way.
TB LATEST
It’s finely poised now. The No.5 seed hits back and earns set point when Chardy just misses with an angled drop shot. However, he can’t quite make a crosscourt forehand and it’s another change of ends at 6-6.
TB LATEST
It’s 4-2 to Chardy at the change of ends. The French veteran shows some wonderful hands at the net to gain the ascendancy and is a whisker away from making a return winner deep to the opposite flank. Stefanos has plenty of work to do here.
TSITSIPAS 6-6 CHARDY
No danger this time around for the number five seed. He hits a sloppy drop shot at 40-0 to hand Chardy a glimmer but the Frenchman cracks a backhand attempt up the line into the net in the following point. Into a tie break we go!
TSITSIPAS 5-6 CHARDY
Jeremy looks so assured at the moment. He’s very calm and obviously has a clear idea about his game-plan. He lures another long error from his opponent to guarantee the minimum of a tie break.
TSITSIPAS 5-5 CHARDY
That’s clutch play from Stef. He’s a set point down when Chardy wrong-foots him with a superb crosscourt forehand after a quite scintillating rally. He finds his best form at just the right moment, yelling at himself in delight as he reels off a trio of intelligent points to get out of dodge and level once more.
TSITSIPAS 4-5 CHARDY
The world number 58 cruises to a love hold. Not a bad time to clock up an easy service game.
TSITSIPAS 4-4 CHARDY
Tsitsipas stays focused despite a couple of nervy moments. Chardy crunches a forehand down the line to open and then threatens another break opportunity at 30-30. Stef maintains focus to get over the line but is serving well below optimum level at present.
BREAK! - TSITSIPAS 3-3 CHARDY.
Interesting! Chardy wrestles the break back. Tsitsipas begins to miss his first serve and sees strikes off both wings miss the line by a whisker. Chardy has two bites at a break and fist pumps in delight when the Greek lashes a backhand just long.
TSITSIPAS 3-2 CHARDY
It’s early days but Chardy needed that. He cruises through a love hold and will hope to make life a bit more uncomfortable for Stef on his return game.
TSITSIPAS 3-1 CHARDY
The number five seed consolidates with a hold to 15. Chardy is already working overtime to try and keep pace with the NextGen star.
BREAK! - TSITSIPAS 2-1 CHARDY
The Greek starlet is looking razor sharp out there. He breaks to love and has a steely, focused gaze etched upon his face. You do wonder if the lack of spectators for this contest has worked largely against Chardy given that he’d had plenty of home support.
TSITSIPAS 1-1 CHARDY
If you blinked you may have missed that. Stef motors through a love hold. The serve looks right on song while the forehand does some real damage while remaining effortless in its shot construction.
TSITSIPAS 0-1 CHARDY
The big serve does some of the heavy lifting for Chardy as he opens with a relatively comfortably hold to 30 in windy conditions. A cute drop volley is the pick of his points and shows he can mix in a bit of finesse with his powerhouse hitting.
Here comes Stef
It’s time for number five seed, Stefanos Tsitsipas to take centre stage as he faces Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the last match on Chatrier.
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Stefanos Tsitsipas: I want to be the surprise of the tournament
Tsitsipas is being tipped by many to go far in this year's tournament after an excellent start to 2021. His form in the clay swing has been highly impressive. He won the Monte Carlo Masters title, was runner-up to Rafael Nadal in Barcelona and also triumphed at the 250 series event in Lyon.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! – AZARENKA 6-4 2-6 6-3 KUZNETSOVA
It’s all over! In the battle between the two-time Grand Slam champions, it is Azarenka who prevails. It was a match where quality and consistency was lacking for large spells but it ended on a high with some gutsy tennis on both sides of the net. The Belarusian fell away badly in the second set but regrouped to edge it in the decider. She clinched victory in two hours on her second match point after saving break point with a magnificent drive volley.
AZARENKA 6-4 2-6 5-3 KUZNETSOVA
Svetlana refuses to bow out. She defends like her life depends on it and saves match point with some wonderful retrieval play. It’s the rally of the contest and from there she somehow manages to snatch another game back. Vika looks highly frustrated and will have to dust herself down and compose herself to serve for the match for the second time.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 6-4 2-6 5-2 KUZNETSOVA
That is perhaps Kuznetsova’s best game of the match. It could well be too late, but the groundstrokes were quite sublime as she sent her opponent scrambling from flank to flank in rally after rally. She breaks from 30-0 down but it’s still a tall order to do anything other than make the scoreline less crushing.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 6-4 2-6 5-1 KUZNETSOVA
That could be curtains for the 2009 champion. She blows a 30-0 lead and gets twitchy at deuce. She leaks errors to both tramlines and needs a minor miracle to turn it around from here. Azarenka will serve for the match.
AZARENKA 6-4 2-6 4-1 KUZNETSOVA
Vika edges closer to the finish line. She digs deep at 15-30 as she trusts herself at the net with a crisp backhand drive volley. Kuznetsova has a chance to attack at 40-30 on a second serve but dumps her return into the net.
AZARENKA 6-4 2-6 3-1 KUZNETSOVA
She’s on the board! The grunting and heavy hitting increased in intensity and it paid off. A brutal backhand down the line is just too strong and seizes a much-needed hold to 30.
AZARENKA 6-4 2-6 3-0 KUZNETSOVA
That’s far too routine in a match rife with breaks from Svetlana’s perspective. It’s a comfortable hold to 15 for the former world number one as she takes a tentative grip of the proceedings.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 6-4 2-6 2-0 KUZNETSOVA
There’s a huge scream of ‘Come on!’ from Azarenka as Kuznetsova’s bid to fend off triple break point comes unstuck when she leaks another unforced error on the final one.
AZARENKA 6-4 2-6 1-0 KUZNETSOVA
This match would make for a great montage of bad shots. It sounds harsh, but despite some nice play at times there have been a catalogue of hugely avoidable errors. Kuznetsova adds another with a wayward backhand volley when gliding towards the net. It lets Vika off the hook to take the game to 30 and get Set 3 off to a solid start.
SET! – AZARENKA 6-4 2-6 KUZNETSOVA
We are going the distance. Kuznetsova finds her serving mojo at just the right moment, biting back from 15-40 to serve out the set from deuce. That took some doing, but there’s no doubt she was the better player in that second set.
AZARENKA 6-4 2-5 KUZNETSOVA
That’s a plucky hold from Azarenka. It’s so hard to predict what can happen now. Logic would suggest Kuznetsova will eventually take us into a decider but it’s been an incredibly unpredictable encounter.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 6-4 1-5 KUZNETSOVA
No bagel for Svetlana. It’s a poor service game, but that’s nothing new in this contest. Vika won’t back down and will be eager to shift some of the momentum back her way even if she can’t rescue the set.
Danger for Zverev
Elsewhere, Sascha Zverev trails 3-6 3-6 to his compatriot Oscar Otte.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 6-4 0-5 KUZNETSOVA
That’s a horror show from Vika. She’s in charge of the point trying to stave off yet more break points. She swings a backhand to the corner that Kuznetsova can only defend high. She darts forward but slaps a terrible volley into the net. It actually looked easier to make it. It’s 5-0 and a bizarre match just gets stranger.
AZARENKA 6-4 0-4 KUZNETSOVA
The Russian surges 40-0 up but then stutters on the next two points. She has to hang tough in the final rally with a low slice that bamboozles her opponent into a forehand error into the net. It’s fine defence and sees her take a firm grip of this set.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 6-4 0-3 KUZNETSOVA
This match has had its fair share of unforced and sometimes woeful errors, but Kuznetsova rolls back the years with a quite delightful drop shot to claim another break from deuce.
AZARENKA 6-4 0-2 KUZNETSOVA
More squeals, but this time it’s from Azarenka as Kuznetsova manages to chalk up a rare hold to take advantage of the gifts and consolidate.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 6-4 0-1 KUZNETSOVA.
New set, similar story. Vika corks a gorgeous backhand winner down the line as she takes the game by the scruff of the neck. She seems in the groove but a double fault and a poor forehand into the tramlines allow the Russian to make deuce. It clearly rattles the Belarusian as a pair of double faults gift her opponent an opening game that was looking way beyond her.
SET! – AZARENKA 6-4 KUZNETSOVA
There’s a scream of frustration from Kuznetsova as she fires long of the baseline and coughs up two set points. It does little to inspire an internal response as she slaps a forehand into the net in the ensuing point after a deep, high bouncing approach from her opponent. Azarenka takes a strange, error-strewn opener in 39 minutes.
AZARENKA 5-4 KUZNETSOVA
Like London buses… We wait an age for a hold and then we get two in quick succession. Azarenka finds some first serves and it makes a huge difference as she holds to love. Scoreboard pressure on Svetlana now.
AZARENKA 4-4 KUZNETSOVA
Finally, we have another hold. It wasn’t pretty but Kuznetsova storms back from 15-30 to make deuce and dig it out from there. All square at the business end of Set 1.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 4-3 KUZNETSOVA
Both players dealt with injury leading into this tournament and there’s definitely a lack of rhythm. It’s a very scrappy affair with both players enduring fluctuating levels. Azarenka roars 30-0 up with some super shot-making but then capitulates, dropping serve once more with an ill-timed double fault.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 4-2 KUZNETSOVA
Svetlana runs and slides to make a sublime backhand pass down the line to open the game. However, it’s as good as it gets. Once again the server comes under fire and the Russian blocks long under pressure to cough up yet another break.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 3-2 KUZNETSOVA
It’s another break. Vika’s misfiring serve is taking some real punishment. A beast of forehand claims a simple enough break to 15 for Svetlana.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 3-1 KUZNETSOVA
It’s an uncomfortable time for whichever two-time Grand Slam champion is standing at the service line. Kuznetsova leaks too many errors again and despite not being anywhere near consistent, Azarenka stays in charge.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 2-1 KUZNETSOVA.
That’s pretty poor from Azarenka. She looks uncomfortable on serve after a double fault for 0-30. She can’t seem to shake that fragility from there and the 35-year-old Russian bites back with a break to love.
BREAK! – AZARENKA 2-0 KUZNETSOVA
The Belarusian clocks up triple break point and immediately puts her opponent under real pressure. Kuznetsova claws back two but can’t fend off the third. Super start from the former world number one against the 2009 Roland Garros winner.
AZARENKA 1-0 KUZNETSOVA
We've got another fascinating contest on Chatrier now. Vika faces an immediate tests at 0-30 but reels of four points in a row to dig out the hold and start off on the front foot.
MAJOR UPSET ALERT!
Number four seed, Dominic Thiem is OUT of the 2021 French Open. The Austrian blew a two-set lead before bowing out 6-4 7-5 3-6 4-6 4-6 to Spanish veteran Pablo Andujar.
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Dominic Thiem is out of Roland-Garros 2021
Image credit: Getty Images
Thiem in trouble
The two-time French Open finalist and reigning US Open champion is trailing 5-4 in the fifth set after blowing a 2-0 lead. Andujar will now serve for the match.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! – SABALENKA 6-4 6-3 KONJUH
No upset here. Sabalenka comes through a tricky round one affair in straight sets. The No.3 seed goes big and misses with two unforced errors, but calms herself and surges back to take four points in a row and claim victory in one hour and 15 minutes.
SABALENKA 6-4 5-3 KONJUH
That’s what you call battling! Three double faults and the nerves of facing match point – but Konjuh digs out a plucky hold. Sabalenka must now serve for the match.
SABALENKA 6-4 5-2 KONJUH
There’s another double fault mixed in there, but this time the serve causes more problems for the Croatian. A sixth ace helps her on her way and this time she backs up the break to 15. The Belarusian is one game from victory. If she can come through this in straight sets, it’ll be a big boost given that many pundits were suggesting this could be a potential banana skin.
BREAK! – SABALENKA 6-4 4-2 KONJUH
Fortunately for Sabalenka her power and read on the return game is much more in tune. She breaks to 15. Now, if she can find a run of first serves, she’d be in business…
BREAK! - SABALENKA 6-4 3-2 KONJUH
Try predicting this one! Sabalenka again fails to take her cue to take charge. She double faults to conclude a woeful service game that she drops to love.
BREAK! – SABALENKA 6-4 3-1 KONJUH
It seems that 30-0 is the dangerous score at the moment. Konjuh sees it disappear and a double fault coughs up another chance for her opponent. They have been a real issue at significant junctures for her today. This time, she manages to make deuce but a thunderous backhand winner down the line from Sabalenka and a roar of ‘come on!’ sees her carve out another opportunity that is handed to her via another unforced error from the Croatian.
BREAK! – SABALENKA 6-4 2-1 KONJUH
It’s a shocker from Sabalenka. At 30-0 she throws down a pair of double faults and then hooks long under pressure from the baseline. Konjuh brutally exposes a weak second serve with a clinical return winner to snatch the break back.
BREAK! – SABALENKA 6-4 2-0 KONJUH
The double fault woes strike again! Konjuh takes charge at 30-0 but is soon pressed back and works hard to make deuce and fend off break point. A crisp backhand winner down the line tees up a second opportunity for the No.3 seed and that’s enough as the nerves get to her opponent, leading to another collapse of serve.
SABALENKA 6-4 1-0 KONJUH
The momentum is with the Madrid Open champion. She is finding the right shots at the key moments. At 15-30 she executes a disguised, sweeping slice drop shot and then hammers down a big first serve to guide her through and snare the early scoreboard advantage in Set 2.
SET! – SABALENKA 6-4 KONJUH
That’s a shame for Konjuh. She saves one of two set points but then double faults to literally hand it to the No.3 seed. She takes the opener after a topsy-turvy 36-minute battle.
SABALENKA 5-4 KONJUH
A timely, crunching first serve does the damage as the Belarusian edges the game to 30 to move in front for the first time in the contest. She’s been far from her comfort zone in this opener, but the pressure is now on Konjuh to hold firm and stay in it.
BREAK! – SABALENKA 4-4 KONJUH
Twice Konjuh has ‘Konjuh-ed’ up a two-game lead only to be pegged back. This time she saves two break points but comes unstuck on a third from deuce. All square once again.
SABALENKA 3-4 KONJUH
Sabalenka stays in touch with a hold to 30. Business end of the set alert coming right up!
SABALENKA 2-4 KONJUH
Excellent work from Konjuh. The qualifier fends off break point to consolidate from deuce.
BREAK! – SABALENKA 2-3 KONJUH.
That’s a super response from Ana. She clocks up a couple of break points and nudges the board in her favour just when it looked like Aryna had found her footing in the match.
BREAK! – SABALENKA 2-2 KONJUH
This was being billed as a match with the potential to be the battle of the day. So far, it’s showing signs it could live up to the hype. Sabalenka bites back and levels matters. Finely poised, even at this early stage.
SABALENKA 1-2 KONJUH
That’s more like it from the Madrid Open champion. She finds some first serves and breezes to the hold for the loss of one point. She’s on the board.
SABALENKA 0-2 KONJUH
There’s lots for Sabalenka to think about right now. This doesn’t look like being your routine first round contest. Konjuh holds to love to consolidate with a bang.
BREAK! – SABALENKA 0-1 KONJUH
What a start for Konjuh. She upsets the rhythm of the No.3 seed right from the off and makes the most of the opportunity by breaking from deuce.
Sabalenka up next!
We've got an intriguing round one clash coming up on Court Suzanne Lenglen now. It's No.3 seed, Aryna Sabalenka up against Croatian qualifier Ana Konjuh. Sabalenka’s best appearance at RG to-date was in reaching the third round in 2020. However, she does come into Paris after winning the Madrid Open, beating world number one, Ash Barty 6-0 3-6 6-4 in the final.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 3-6 4-6 KECMANOVIC
It’s all over! Evans crashes out in round one at the 2021 French Open. The Brit wasted a 30-0 lead and saved one match point before blowing a volley long. The 21-year-old Serb prevails in four sets to reach round two after a three hour and four minute battle.
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 3-6 4-5 KECMANOVIC
It’s a lifeline for Evans! Kecmanovic buckles from 30-0 up. He slaps a tense forehand into the net to tee up break point and then drags another wide. It’s a bit of a collapse and Evans is still alive, but he must hold now to stay in the tournament.
EVANS 6-1 3-6 3-6 3-5 KECMANOVIC
Evans poses the serve-out question with a hold to 15. Will the young Serb’s nerve remain firm?
EVANS 6-1 3-6 3-6 2-5 KECMANOVIC
Miomir hits so big on the forehand when on the offensive. It does the trick for him as he batters down Evo’s defence at 30-30 and he goes on to back up his break. The 21-year-old world number 48 is one game away from round two.
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 3-6 2-4 KECMANOVIC
That’s a body blow for Evans. He looks flat as he dumps a volley and a forehand into the net. Kecmanovic has a huge chance at triple break point but some dogged resistance from the Brit sees him fend two off before an ace gets him to deuce. It’s not pretty from there and he throws his racket to the floor in anger at his failure to get the job done despite having plenty of chances. The Serb claims a fourth opportunity and rifles a backhand up the line to move within sight of round two. What can the British number one do to turn the tide?
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 3-6 2-2 KECMANOVIC
Stunning! Just stunning. Kecmanovic wrestles back the break. He’s frustrated with a poor return on the first of two break points but makes amends as he slides to his forehand corner and somehow unearths a brilliant pass down the line. All square.
EVANS 6-1 3-6 3-6 2-1 KECMANOVIC
This is turning into a war of attrition. There are very few cheap points and hardly any short games at present. Kecmanovic comes through a gruelling hold from deuce, saving break point and having to contend with some quite outstanding defence from Evans at times. The Serb is on the board, however, and keen to claw his way back into Set 4.
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 3-6 1-0 KECMANOVIC
Raw emotion from Evans as he chases down a net cord to push a crosscourt winner beyond his opponent and claim the early break. Normally, that would mean he has the momentum but given this was the eighth break in a row, we’ll have to hang on before suggesting he’s back in any sort of groove.
SET! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 3-6 KECMANOVIC
It’s a seventh straight break and it means Kecmanovic finally takes the set! What a bizarre finale with the server being overwhelmed. Evo will need to go the distance now if he’s to claim his first ever main-draw victory on the red dirt in the French capital.
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 3-5 KECMANOVIC
This is ridiculous. Once again the server comes under the cosh and it means Kecmanovic fails to drag himself over the line. He’s really made hard work of finishing this set off after being in control for so much of it. Now, can Evo make it interesting or will the pattern of ‘how not to serve’ continue?
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 2-5 KECMANOVIC
It’s no fun being the server right now. Evans comes under siege but a third ace and some super concentration despatching a tricky overhead get him to deuce. It’s a tough old battle from there too. He ends up saving SEVEN break points before succumbing on the eighth. That was brutal. Kecmanovic will now serve for the set.
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 2-4 KECMANOVIC
That is magnificent. Evans concludes a pulsating, lung-bursting 32-shot rally with a vicious forehand winner to snatch a break back once again. He hammered on the door there and eventually made it count at the fourth time of asking after an epic game where Kecmanovic desperately tried to hang on.
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 1-4 KECMANOVIC
Wow. That is some reply from Miomir. He reaches into his full repertoire to pull Evans from side to side and leave the Brit chasing shadows. He’s quite simply painting the lines at times and throws in a crosscourt slice drop shot for good measure. It’s another break and the Evo fightback in this set takes a nose-dive.
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 1-3 KECMANOVIC
Just when you begin to write him off in this set… Evo bites back! The Brummie shrugs off the Serb’s lucky shanked volley to make 30-30 and gets himself into the net to snare break point. Kecmanovic reaches the sanctuary of deuce but Evans suddenly has more aggression and desire in his game. He conjures up a second opportunity and nails a winner down the flank to grab one of the breaks straight back.
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 0-3 KECMANOVIC
That’s a disaster for Evans. He loses control at 40-15 and is forced to fend off two break points. He coughs up a third when he plants a backhand wide with the rest of the court at his mercy and it proves to be key. He goes too big on a forehand that drops long and it’s a double break for the Serb.
EVANS 6-1 3-6 0-2 KECMANOVIC
Evans flashes a forehand into the tramlines and it’s another easy hold for Kecmanovic. He consolidates and looks the more assured of the two players right now.
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 0-1 KECMANOVIC
The Serb maintains his momentum and immediately takes charge of Set 3. He breaks to love with an improvised crosscourt pass from deep. Evo’s mood is clearly not great. A crosscourt forehand slaps the net and flies out of court while the crowd’s movement continues to irk him. ‘It’s astonishing mate, astonishing,’ he remarks at 0-15 in a game he pretty much throws away.
SET! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 KECMANOVIC
That’s nerve-less from Kecmanovic. He doesn’t give Evans a sniff as he serves out the set to love. One apiece and lots for the Brit to ponder here following two highly contrasting sets.
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 3-6 KECMANOVIC
That’s nerve-less from Kecmanovic. He doesn’t give Evans a sniff as he serves out the set to love. One apiece and lots for the Brit to ponder here following two highly contrasting sets.
EVANS 6-1 3-5 KECMANOVIC
Evans poses the serve-out question with a corking forehand down the line to clinch a hold to 30.
EVANS 6-1 2-5 KECMANOVIC
It’s another routine hold for the Serb as he moves within a game of levelling the match with a hold to 15. He’s posed plenty of problems for Evo on his serve, but has largely been untroubled in this set on his own. It’s now or never time for the Brit if he’s going to save it.
EVANS 6-1 1-4 KECMANOVIC
No look-in for Dan on this occasion. Kecmanovic unloads a crisp forehand before a devilish lob clips the baseline to put him firmly in control. Evans retorts with a blistering return winner but it’s all he can offer as the Serb motors through to maintain his advantage.
EVANS 6-1 1-3 KECMANOVIC
That’s resilient play from Evans and it keeps his interest in this second set very much alive. Kecmanovic threatens at 15-30 but the British number one reels off a trio of hard-fought points to stay in range.
EVANS 6-1 0-3 KECMANOVIC
It’s a tennis cliché, but Miomir is like a different player out there right now. He seems to have all of the answers as he once again breaches the Evo defences to back up his break. That scoreboard is looking more a lot more like it from his point of view.
BREAK! - EVANS 6-1 0-2 KECMANOVIC
That’s quite a sudden momentum shift. Kecmanovic rampages to three break points and clearly has Evans a little rattled. The Brit saves one and then shows his displeasure at spectators being allowed in as he was gearing up for a second serve. He carries on and charges to the net but his opponent has found another gear and rasps a crosscourt pass beyond him to take early control of this set.
EVANS 6-1 0-1 KECMANOVIC
That’s much more like it if you have one foot in the Kecmanovic camp. He was starting to have a bit more say in the games towards the end of the opener and has got himself off to a positive start in the Set 2. It’s a comfortable love hold which is by far and away his best service game of the match so far.
Flashback - When Evo ousted Djokovic
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Highlights: Evans causes huge shock with win over Djokovic in Monte Carlo
SET! - EVANS 6-1 KECMANOVIC
That’s a sublime set of tennis from Dan Evans. There’s no bagel, but he’ll happily claim the late, lunchtime breadstick. His tactics have been so intelligent on important points and a serve and volley at 30-30 clocks up his second set point. He’s on the back foot following a sizzling return in the ensuing rally but chucks in a bewitching side-spinning drop shot to outfox the Serb and land the opener in just 30 minutes.
EVANS 5-1 KECMANOVIC
Respite for Miomir! Evans refuses to give him an easy game and hits back to make deuce from 40-15 down. The No.25 seed conjures up set point but can’t quite help himself to a tasty afternoon, bagel. Kecmanvovic digs so deep just to hang on and thunders a forehand up Evo’s right flank to finally get himself on the board.
EVANS 5-0 KECMANOVIC
This is ruthless. Evans surges through a hold to 15 and is closing in on taking the opener in double-quick time. It's hugely impressive from the GB star.
BREAK! - EVANS 4-0 KECMANOVIC
Dan is very much the man at present! It’s a double break as he takes the game on his second opportunity with a thumping forehand winner down the line. Kecmanovic simply has no answer to the Brit’s energy at the moment. His serve is being dismantled and he looks devoid of confidence right now.
EVANS 3-0 KECMANOVIC
The full variety is there from Evans with the game providing a microcosm of why he’s had a good run on clay this year. He looks in control but a mini blip means he has to battle hard to avoid the break point with a sizzling backhand pass up the line. Some astute net play puts him in control from deuce and he raises his fist in triumph as an error from Kecmanovic ensures he consolidates after a tricky service game.
BREAK! - EVANS 2-0 KECMANOVIC
That’s the perfect start for Evans. Kecmanovic has really struggled for form in the clay swing and it shows here. He almost gets off the hook when the Brit plays a poor drop shot when in control of the point at 15-30, but Evans shrugs it off and finds the formula to secure an immediate break.
EVANS 1-0 KECMANOVIC
That’s a straight forward, routine start for Evo who finds some excellent first serves to claim an opening hold to 15.
A fine year so far
It’s been a wonderful start to 2021 for Evans. He won his maiden ATP tour title at the Murray River Open and has even found some form on clay. The Brummie had only managed four matches on the dirt in his career prior to this year, but a run to the Monte Carlo semi finals, where he stunned world number one Novak Djokovic, has shown he could spring a few surprises in Paris.
Here comes Evo!
Osaka versus Tig turned into a cracking morning opener but now it's time to turn some of our attention to the men's draw. Who is up for some action involving Great Britain’s number one? It’s time for a certain Dan ‘the man’ Evans to step on to court 6. The No.25 seed kicks off his Roland Garros campaign against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.
Game, Set and Match! - Osaka 6-4 7-6 Tig
Osaka raises her game in the tie break to clinch the match in style with a backhand drive into the open court after a rasping forehand return had set up the chance. She takes the breaker 7-4 to claim a 6-4 7-6 victory in one hour and 47 minutes.
Osaka 6-4 6-6 Tig*
Osaka's mobility allows her to counteract some clever spin from Tig, and she takes the first point in the Romanian's service game.
Osaka then gives up a point after a double hit, which might well have been legal under current rules - there's no call from the umpire - and we're at 15-15.
Osaka moves 30-15 ahead before Tig wallops a return down the line to leave her rival rooted in admiration, before forcing through her serve to a 40-30 advantage, before Osaka sends down the 54th winner of the pair this game to move to deuce.
Osaka then puts herself at advantage, a match point. Tig serves, it's too long and the match is coming down to this second service, potentially.
It's delivered safely and a rally ensues that Tig manages to win by slamming a return to the right corner. Back to deuce.
Another first service fault. Osaka has Tig running across the court now, falling back, until Tig is able slam an overhead return back to go ahead. Tig has the advantage, and loops a lob over the top to take it to 6-6.
Osaka 6-4 *6-5 Tig
A love hold from Osaka.
Osaka 6-4 5-5 Tig*
Tig is serving to stay in the match. Tig moves into a 40-15 lead to giver her a great chance of holding on for a game or two longer, and she manages to move to 5-5.
Osaka 6-4 *5-4 Tig
An outstanding serve from Osaka gives her opponent no chance, at 40-15. She then blasts her first ace of the match to move a game away from round two.
Osaka 6-4 4-4 Tig*
Tig holds her service, the margin of error is getting tighter.
Osaka 6-4 *4-3 Tig
Osaka holds her service game to move into 4-3.
Osaka 6-4 3-3 Tig*
Tig is also impressive in the serve and moves 40-15, with a final point that brings some applause from Osaka, such was the quality of the stroke.
Osaka 6-4 *3-2 Tig
Osaka's service game moves to 40-40 and she is able to hold.
Osaka 6-4 2-2 Tig*
Osaka wins the first point of Tig's service game with a double fault, as the match ticks into its second hour. An extended rally highlights Osaka's resistance but she sends a return out of play for Tig to level.
A ball then sits up nicely for Osaka to dispatch and move back ahead, though hits the net with the follow-up point, then forces a break point.
Tig serves to stay in the game. There's a first fault, and Osaka lets her advantage slip in the ensuing rally when she hits the net. Deuce.
Osaka strains to reach a serve and can only find the net, allowing Tig the chance to round off the her service game and level at 2-2.
Osaka 6-4 *2-1 Tig
Osaka cruises to a 2-1 lead after making light work of her service game and her opponent.
Osaka 6-4 1-1 Tig*
Tig kicks off her service game with a mid-leap forehand return to move into a 30-0 lead. Osaka then comes back with two consecutive points before Tig sets herself up to hold her serve.
A heavy serve gives her the chance to race up to the net and clip a return to seal the game.
*Osaka 6-4 1-0 Tig
Osaka holds her serve in routine fashion.
Osaka 6-4 Tig*
After being broken herself, Osaka breaks back to love with a ruthless display that could sap the morale of her opponent, who might have been getting her hopes up.
*Osaka 5-4 Tig
Osaka mistimes a return and Tig takes a 15-0 lead, and then 30-15. Serving for the set may have caused a little wobble in Osaka's focus, but she comes back to 30-30.
Tig again takes the lead in the game, a chance to break back. Osaka then double faults and overhits as she races to the net. Tig breaks.
Osaka 5-3 Tig*
Osaka wins the first point of what could be the last game of the set. The pressure is on Tig now. She holds her first serve after a review on her second goes in her favour, but Osaka retakes the lead with an exceptionally fierce double-handed backhand, and another fierce return gives her two break and set points.
Tig moves forward to move the score to 30-40 in Osaka's favour, and the Japanese then mishits a return to pull it away from the grid to concede her advantage. We're at deuce.
Tig serves for advantage, and faults her first serve. The second hits the next and we're back to deuce. Her third double fault so far.
Osaka shouts, 'Come on!' when she gets back her break point. Tig has to hold her serve and survives a scare when Osaka strikes the net and Tig eventually holds.
*Osaka 5-2 Tig
Osaka sets up her opponent for a late return down the line which Tig has no chances of reaching, to make it 30-0. A short return from Tig almost drops just over the line but clips the tape and comes back, and she lunges at the next point to send a wan return into the net.
Osaka 4-2 Tig*
Tig, who has produced two aces, and then another, moves it back to 4-2 now and she will hope to break back here to give herself a chance.
*Osaka 4-1 Tig
Osaka produces a love service game to take her to 4-1.
Osaka 3-1 Tig*
This time it's Tig's turn to hold her service with little difficulty, putting her first game on the board.
*Osaka 3-0 Tig
Osaka cruises into a three-game lead as she attacks the net on the final point of the game and smashes her return winner.
Osaka 2-0 Tig*
Tig double-faults her first service, and then forces the error from the next return to level. Osaka moves ahead when she leathers a crosscourt double-handed backhand in front of her opponent.
Osaka then sends a return too long to set things up at 30-30, and the same occurs to take Tig to 40-30, before the game moves to deuce.
An absolutely exceptional sliced return from Tig dies just over the net, spinning almost horizontally to bring it back to deuce.
The game swings one way and then the other until Osaka finally wins the fourth break point.
Osaka 1-0 Tig
Osaka begins with the serve, and slides a powerful drive to the corner to leave Tig with no chance on the first point. A double fault then lets Tig bring the game to 15-15.
The two share points until a looping forehand from Tig gives her a break point, but Osaka levels and then starts to move her opponent around the court again to gain advantage, and then hold the game.
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Order of play, singles - Sunday 29 May - From 10am UK time
COURT PHILIPPE-CHATRIER
- Patricia Maria Tig (ROU) v Naomi Osaka (JPN) [2]
- Pablo Andujar (ESP) v Dominic Thiem (AUT) [4]
- Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Sventlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
- Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) [5] v Jeremy Chardy (FRA)
COURT SUZANNE-LENGLEN
- Fabio Fognini (ITA) [27] v Gregoire Barrere (FRA) [W]
- Greet Minnen (BEL) [Q] v Petra Kvitova (CZE) [11]
- Ana Konjuh (CRO) [Q] v Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) [3]
- Alexander Zverev (GER) [6] v Oscar Otte (GER) [Q]
COURT SIMONNE MATHIEU
- Clara Burel (FRA) [W] v Danka Kovinic (MNE)
- Marton Fucsovics (HUN) v Gilles Simon (FRA)
- Corentin Moutet (FRA) v Laslo Djere (SRB)
- Oceane Dodin (FRA) [W] v Marion Keys (USA) [23]
Court 14
- Anhelina Kalinina (UKR) v Angelique Kerber (GER) [26]
- Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [21] v Elsa Jacquemot (FRA) [W]
- Kei Nishikori (JPN) v Alessandro Giannessi (ITA)
- Botic van de Zandschulp (NED) [Q] v Hubert Hurkacz (POL) [19]
Court 7
- Kateryna Kozlova (UKR) v Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS)
- Mario Vilella Martinez (ESP) [Q] v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)
- Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [16] v Marcos Giron (USA)
- Diane Parry (FRA) [W] v Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR)
Court 6
- Paula Badosa (ESP) v Lauren Davis (USA)
- Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) v Dan Evans (GBR) [25]
- Nao Hibino (JPN) v Nina Stojanovic (SRB)
- Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) v Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ)
Court 8
- Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) [L] v Ana Bogdan (ROU)
- Yannick Hanfmann (GER) v Henri Laaksonen (SUI) [Q]
- Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) v Mackenzie McDonald (USA) [Q]
- Leylah Annie Fernandez (CAN) v Anastasia Potapova (RUS)
Court 9
- Egor Gerasimov (BLR) v Enzo Couacaud (FRA) [W]
- Karen Khachanov (RUS) [23] v Jiri Vesely (CZE)
- Elena Vesnina (RUS) v Olga Govortsova (BLR) [L]
- Amanda Anisimova (USA) v Veronika Kudermetova (USA)
Court 12
- Danielle Rose Collins (USA) v Xiyu Wang (CHN)
- Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) [31] v Christina McHale (USA)
- Juan Ignacio Londero (ARG) v Cristian Garín (CHI) [22]
- Roman Safiullin (RUS) [Q] v Carlos Taberner (ESP) [Q]
Court 13
- Norbert Gombos (SVK) v Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) [12]
- Guido Pella (ARG) v Daniel Elahi Galán (COL) [Q]
- Clara Tauson (DEN) v Ekaterine Gorgodze (GEO) [Q]
- Marie Bouzkova (CZE) v Kateřina Siniaková (CZE)
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