Australian Open – Qualifications: Gilles Simon left by the 1768th world, massacre among the Blues

If Gaël Monfils started the 2022 season well with a title in Adelaide on Sunday, the current difficulties of French tennis have not yet magically disappeared. And the Australian Open qualifiers, launched on Monday, are reminding those who have forgotten it. Out of 12 Blues competing in men’s singles, there are only three remaining after only one round in the table: Quentin Halys, winner of his compatriot Harold Mayot (6-4, 6-1), Enzo Couacaud, striker of the Turkish Cem Ilkel (6-3, 7-6, 6-4), and Constant Lestienne who released the Italian Andrea Pellegrino (2-6, 6-1, 6-2).

Symbol of what is already akin to a shipwreck, the defeat of Gilles Simon against a 17-year-old Australian Edward Winter, invited by the organization in these qualifications and who points to 1768th place in the world. Used to entering directly into the Grand Slam tables but fell back to 122nd rank in the ATP, the veteran French surrendered in three sets (6-3, 1-6, 6-3) and 2h15 of play and may regret his chances (4 break points converted out of 15).

This Tuesday, Manuel Guinard, Alexandre Müller and Geoffrey Blancaneaux also fell. On the women’s side, the picture is hardly more encouraging for the Blue: out of 4 involved at the start, only Tessah Andianjafritimo remains in the second round. While there are still two matches to win to get the sesame of the main draw, the task promises to be more than met.