Daniil Medvedev makes a winning start to his French Open campaign; Jo-Wilfried Tsonga brings curtain down on his career after defeat to Casper Ruud while Stefanos Tsitsipas takes on Lorenzo Musetti on Court Philippe Chatrier in the night session
Tuesday 24 May 2022 20:39, UK
Daniil Medvedev allayed fears over his fitness as he enjoyed a comfortable passage into the second round of the French Open, while an emotional Jo-Wilfried Tsonga brought the curtain down on his 18-year professional career.
The Russian who missed time during the clay swing after undergoing a small procedure to treat a hernia problem, returned to Grand Slam action with a win.
Medvedev beat the clearly-unfit Facundo Bagnis of Argentina, whose calf was heavily strapped and his movement restricted, 6-2 6-2 6-2.
Medvedev, who lost his opening-round match at the Geneva Open last week to French veteran Richard Gasquet on his return, was a quarter-finalist at Roland Garros last year after four straight first-round defeats.
Medvedev, barred from playing at Wimbledon due to the ban on Russian players, could still become world No 1 afterwards due to the ATP's decision to strip the tournament of its ranking points, as defending champion Novak Djokovic would lose the 2,000 points he would otherwise be defending.
"Very strange," he admitted, "I need to be honest, but yeah, as I said last time, I'd be really happy to play Wimbledon. I love Wimbledon. I love playing on grass. I will play on grass after Roland Garros.
"But if I cannot, I mean, [I'm] just going to prepare for next tournaments, and, you know, just follow what's happening there. [If] there are no points, I become No 1, well, great for me.
"If there are points, I cannot become No 1, I'm going to be gutted. It is what it is. I cannot change some decisions, both about ATP and Wimbledon."
Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov was a surprise first-round casualty early on day three.
The Canadian world No 15, who beat Rafael Nadal - albeit an injured version - on clay just a couple of weeks ago, lost 6-3 6-1 6-4 7-6 (4) to Danish teenager Holger Rune.
"I'm really positive and working hard every day to get better. This is what you work for every day, to be able to play the biggest tournaments," the baby-faced teenager with a bright smile said.
"You know, I'm super happy and pleased to be in this position right now, to be able to have chances against these guys, to be able to, you know, win my first title in Munich was a huge step forward in my career."
A former French Open junior champion at 16, he has already improved his ranking to world No 40, a major accomplishment considering he played for the first time in the main draw of an ATP tournament just over a year ago.
"I'm improving every day. I'm trying to improve one per cent every day to get, you know, always to do things a little better than the day before," he said.
A tearful Jo-Wilfried Tsonga brought the curtain down on his career to a rapturous reception from his home crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrie.
The 37-year-old took the first set against eighth seed Casper Ruud, but by the end the ailing two-time semi-finalist could barely serve as Ruud won 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 7-6 (7-0).
Tsonga, alongside his family and former coaches took centre stage for a ceremony to commemorate his career, with Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic among those paying tribute to the Frenchman via video messages.
Fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas takes to the court against Italian youngster Lorenzo Musetti in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier.
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