French Open Day 3: Stefanos Tsitsipas survives marathon, Aryna Sabalenka squeaks by
The final slate of Round 1 matches was played at the French Open on Day 3, and there were many more than expected. The rain on Monday caused a number of matches to be suspended or rescheduled to Tuesday, so Day 3 was crammed to the bursting point with tennis, tennis and more tennis.
Tsitsipas rallies for marathon win
No. 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas got an early test on Tuesday, but advanced in a five-set marathon past Italy's Lorenzo Musetti. In a match that extended past midnight local time, Tsitispas dropped the first two sets before rallying for a 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victory in 3:34.
Tsitispas actually jumped out to a 4-1 lead and held two break points in the first set before Musetti caught fire to win 10 of the next 11 games to secure the set and take a 4-0 lead in the second. Tsitsipas battled back to tie the second set at 4-4, but Musetti held on to take a 2-0 lead in the match. But after two hard-fought sets, Musetti couldn't keep up as Tsitsipas won the last three sets handily to secure the win. Last year's runner up at Roland Garros, Tsitsipas survives in his quest for his first Grand Slam title at 23 years old.
Sabalenka overcomes unforced errors
Unforced errors almost claimed Aryna Sabalenka on Tuesday, but she pulled herself back from the brink to beat Chloe Paquet 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. Exactly how many unforced errors did Sabalenka have? 50! That is a lot, especially considering Paquet had just 16. It was a close call, especially in the third set when the score was knotted 2-2. But Sabalenka got herself together and fought for the win. She'll face Madison Brengle in Round 2.
Pegula survives late surge from Qiang
It took No. 11 Jessica Pegula 100 minutes to defeat Wang Qiang 6-2, 6-4, which is quite a long time for a two-set match. It started pretty well for Pegula, who won the first set in 36 minutes, and went up 5-1 in the second set. But that's when Qiang turned it on. She challenged Pegula, going up 5-4 in games that lasted nine and 11 minutes each. Qiang fought hard, but that's when her luck ran out. Pegula finally won it on her 10th match point in the final game, which lasted 10 minutes and 44 seconds. She'll play Anhelina Kalinina in Round 2.
Keys, Tiafoe claim Round 1 victories
Americans Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe each won their Round 1 matches on Tuesday. Keys, the 22nd seed in the women’s field, defeated Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. She's had good showings at Roland Garros over the past few years, making it to the semifinals in 2018, but has a streak of early-round exits on the WTA 1000 leading up to the French Open. Tiafoe, the 24th seed on the men's side, beat Benjamin Bonzi 7-5, 7-5, 7-6(5). Tiafoe had experienced nothing but heartbreak at Roland Garros, exiting in the first round for the last five years, but finally has a win under his belt.
Tsonga ends his career with tough loss to Ruud
Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, who at 37-years-old is one of the most beloved tennis players in France, ended his career on Tuesday after losing his first-round match to the eighth-seeded Casper Ruud. Tsonga fought hard over four sets, but Ruud's expertise on clay gave him an edge, and he beat Tsonga 6(6)-7, 7-6(4), 6-2, 7-6(0). Tsonga said he was going to retire following the French Open, so he was fighting to extend his career with every shot. It was a heroic and touching effort, and the Paris crowd cheered him on the entire time.
He was crying as he hit his final shot, and even Ruud shed a few tears as the crowd gave him a long ovation. Tsonga, who is the only man to beat Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer when they were each No. 1, was given an on-court retirement ceremony with all of his former coaches, siblings, and parents joining him, along with his wife and two children. Even the Big 3 sent along recorded messages to congratulate him. It was a beautiful and emotional ending to a phenomenal career.
Medvedev moves on in straight sets victory
Daniil Medvedev has spent most of the last few months recovering from hernia surgery, but he was in fine form on Tuesday. The No. 2 seed defeated Facundo Bagnis 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 in 98 minutes to move on to Round 2. Medvedev looked comfortable throughout, hitting 35 winners and breaking Bagnis' serve eight times. It's exactly the kind of victory Medvedev needs to get him on the right track at Roland Garros. He'll face Laslo Dere in Round 2.
Collins breezes past Tomova
Danielle Collins, seeded ninth, skipped right past Viktoriya Tomova, defeating her 6-0, 6-4 in 71 minutes. Collins was totally in control in the first set, winning six straight games in under a half hour. Tomova put up a fight in the second set, winning four of the first six games, but Collins turned it on after that and won the next four to give her a win. She'll face fellow American Shelby Rogers in Round 2.
Pliskova defeats Andrianjafitrimo
Karolina Pliskova is off to a good start at Roland Garros, beating Tessa Andrianjafitrimo 2-6, 6-3, 6-1. Andrianjafitrimo spent 50 minutes beating the No. 8 seed in the first set, but the tables turned after that. Pliskova handled the second set in 40 minutes, and the third in 33 minutes. Pliskova will face Leolia Jeanjean in Round 2.
Other notable results
Third-seeded Paula Badosa wasted no time in her Round 1 match on Tuesday, defeating Fiona Ferro 6-2, 6-0 in just 54 minutes.
Simona Halep won her match against Nastasja Schunk, and continues her effort to climb back up the rankings after an injury forced her to miss a number of months last year.
American Taylor Townsend, playing in her first major since giving birth to her son in April 2021, lost to Caroline Garcia 3-6, 4-6.
Sebastian Korda, seeded 27th, won his suspended match against Australian John Millman. The American will face Richard Gasquet in Round 2.
Denis Shapovalov, the 14th seed, lost to Holger Rune 3-6, 1-6, 6(4)-7. Shapovalov has never made it past the second round at Roland Garros, and will have to try and best that record next year.
