Jurij Rodionov slipped into the main competition of the French Open as a “lucky loser” after losing the third qualifying round against Frenchman Lucas Pouille. The Lower Austrian meets Pouille again on Sunday (fourth match after 11 a.m.) in the first round in Paris and wants to take his second chance. Already at 11.00 a.m. Sebastian Ofner, who fought his way through the qualification, will play against the American Maxime Cressy for a place in the second round.
28.05.2023 08.27
Online since today, 8.27 a.m
Rodionov actually had to bow in the third elimination round against Pouille with 6:1 5:7 0:6. However, as a “lucky loser” he has moved into the main draw and meets the Frenchman again. “It’s a second chance and I’m really looking forward to it,” said the 24-year-old from Lower Austria.
He was able to take a lot from the first game against Pouille. “It was the first time that 3,000 French were against me and there were only two people for me in the whole stadium. That was unique and tough. I’m confident that I’ve learned something from it, and I’ll show that tomorrow,” said Rodionov in the presence of Günter Bresnik, who looks after the Austrian in Paris alongside Julia Grabher and the Russian Alexander Schwetschenko.
Pouille had the upper hand in qualifying against Rodionov, now the Austrian wants to turn the tables
He “mentally threw away” the third round match. Now he feels “ready and fit” for a possible five sentences. Rodionov is in a major in the main competition for the second time, in 2020 he defeated Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 10: 8 in five sets in the first round of Roland Garros. However, he did not play against the crowd at the time due to the corona virus.
Ofner is self-confident
Sebastian Ofner starts his third major tournament against the American Maxime Cressy at 11.00 a.m. “I believe I can win a round or two here,” said Ofner confidently.
This feat was surprisingly successful in qualifying at Wimbledon in 2017 when he was only eliminated in the third round. By the way, back then against the German Alexander Zverev as well as a year ago at the French Open in the first round. Before the world number 42. Cressy needn’t fear Ofner: he has lost first round in all four clay court tournaments this season.
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