French Open
Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova was eliminated at the start on Monday in Paris. The Czech lost to 19-year-old French Diane Parry, who is 97th in the world rankings, 6:1 2:6 3:6. Naomi Osaka also had an early end after the 5:7 4:6 defeat against the American Amanda Anisimova. World number one Iga Swiatek is still on the road to success, beating the Ukrainian Lesia Zurenko 6:2 6:0 and thus celebrating her 29th win en suite.
Krejcikova had been sidelined since the tournament in Dubai in mid-February due to an elbow injury. On her comeback, the 26-year-old made a total of 45 unforced errors after clearly winning the first set. The game took place on the Philippe Chartrier court under a closed roof due to rain. Rafael Nadal, who won 6-2 6-2 6-2 against Australian Jordan Thompson, was then in action there. The other places were also played again.
Parry, of course, had one interview after another to give. “A dream becomes true. I’ve always dreamed of playing on this court with the support of the French crowd,” said the local hero. “You pushed me to victory. I’m the happiest person right now. Against the defending champion, I was still a bit tense in the first set. But then I caught myself.” Parry now plays against the Colombian Camila Osorio.
Nadal in the second round of the French Open
The 13-time Rolland Garros winner Rafael Nadal started the French Open on Monday with a clear win against the Australian Jordan Thompson.
Also Osaka out
The Japanese Naomi Osaka was not having such a good day. It was not until 2021 that the former world number one caused a stir in Paris because she withdrew from her second round game due to mental problems. She had previously made depression public and refused to speak to media. Most recently, Osaka had been thrown back by injuries. She left open whether she would play in Wimbledon.
It’s not the first defeat against Anisimova this year. The 19-year-old defeated Osaka in the third round of the Australian Open. The number 27 of the event had reached the semi-finals at the French Open three years ago. Anisimova is now dealing with Serbian Donna Vekic. Two-time Czech Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova also went on.
Swiatek continues winning streak
Swiatek now plays against the American Alison Riske. With a win against the world number 42. the Polish would have the 30 full. Swiatek has won the five most recently contested tournaments. The 20-year-old wants to continue this run at Grand Slam level.
She had already triumphed in Roland Garros in 2020. She suffered her most recent defeat in Dubai in mid-February. “I know that the winning streak will break one day,” said the Pole. “But I focus on my tennis and not on numbers and statistics. That’s what I’ve been doing for the past few weeks, so I’ll continue. That helps to stay consistent.”
Oswald as the last Austrian in the tournament
After Dominic Thiem and Sebastian Ofner left on Sunday, Philipp Oswald is the last Austrian left in the main competitions in doubles. The Vorarlberger was drawn together with the Mexican Hans Hach Verdugo against the number 12 seeded pair Marcelo Arevalo/Jean-Julien Rojer (ESA/NED). The game is scheduled for Tuesday (11 a.m.) on court five.
