Colombian Daniel Galán (152nd ATP), who entered the main draw of Roland Garros As a ‘lucky loser’, he passed the second round of the tournament by beating the American Tennys Sandgren (48th) and will be cited in the third with world number one Novak Djokovic.
Galán won 6-2, 6-2 and 6-3. The first Colombian racket, the 24-year-old had fallen to the Swiss Henri Laaksonen (135º) in the third qualifying round, but entered the main draw due to the loss of another tennis player. The game will be no earlier than 8:30 am this Saturday.
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“I am very happy, I do not know if in a cloud. I have felt the love and energy that they have sent me from Colombia, not only my family. I appreciate it”, noted in video conference.
I never saw him play
“I had lost in the last (qualifying) round. I was super discouraged, but asked if there were any gaps for the ‘lucky losers’ draw. They said yes and it was my brother, I didn’t want to be there. He was the one who pulled my token. I had a second chance, “he said.
In the first round he had needed five sets to beat Briton Cameron Norrie (71º); 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 and 6-1, in 3 hours and 42 minutes.
“As a tennis player, you must enjoy all your matches, if you suffer all the time it is difficult. Give the best of yourself, thinking about winning and getting ahead, “he said about his philosophy of play.
This time he was more forceful against a rival that shines on the fast track like Sandgren. Despite having four games in the legs,
Galán beat him in three straight sets (1 hour and 48 minutes) to offer himself the best gift of his career.
Djokovic awaits the Colombian in the third round, who this Thursday swept Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis (65th), 6-1, 6-2 and 6-2. “To be honest, I don’t know much about him; I never saw him play, so obviously I have to look for his matches, the videos, and try to prepare him with my team,” said the Serbian about
Prince.
He prefers Nadal
“I know that he played the classification so he has already had several games in these conditions, which certainly helps. It will be the first time we’ve played and he doesn’t have much to lose. We will play at Philippe Chatrier or Suzanne Lenglen, it will probably be their first match on a big court. It can help you to be relaxed and play your best tennis, “he added.
Galán plays only his second Grand Slam tournament. He debuted at the last Australian Open, when he lost in the first round to Chilean Alejandro Tabilo.
“I’ve never actually played with a Top-10, not even trained. Last year I played David Goffin in Davis Cup. and I was nervous, I had seen it on television, “said the Colombian.
On Djokovic, whom he has seen “sometime” in the locker room, Galán acknowledged that he is not a follower “to die.” “As a child I grew up with the rivalry between (Roger) Federer and (Marat) Safin. When I was older I greatly admire (Rafael) Nadal for what he has achieved,” he added.
Obviously, the coffee tennis player is aware of the challenge that lies ahead: “Djokovic has no weaknesses, although I am not saying that he is invincible, otherwise he would never have lost a game.”
Galán is the first Colombian to reach the third round of a great since Santiago Giraldo will play the third match at Roland Garros 2012.
TOMORROW
DANIEL GALAN ???????? vs. @DjokerNole #1 ????The Santandereana racket spoke about yesterday’s game against ???????? Sandgren and about tomorrow’s big game against Nole pic.twitter.com/E8s0H7Xk6a
– Alexis Rodriguez (@alexisnoticias) October 2, 2020
AFP
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