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It was simply the primary day of qualifying for the 2023 French Open on Monday however the crowds, and their enthusiasm, made it really feel prefer it was the full-blown principal occasion.
The image above is from Courtroom No. 14, which seats 2,200 spectators, and it was packed to overflowing for a match between No. 156-ranked Frenchman Enzo Couacaud and the eventual winner No. 142 Austrian Filip Misolic.
Regardless of temperatures solely being within the low 20s, the solar was sizzling to the purpose {that a} younger ball-boy (beneath) needed to be helped off the court docket within the third set of Couacaud – Misiloic and an older girl, struggling within the warmth, stopped play only a few moments later when she needed to be taken away in a wheelchair.
The fanaticism of the French followers confirmed within the numbers – with 8,000 coming into the grounds in comparison with solely 3,700 on the identical day a yr in the past.
The day ended on Courtroom No. 14 with a serious upset as No. 278-ranked Margaux Rouvroy of France ousted the 2020 Roland Garros runner-up Sofia Kenin. Rouvroy (in the mean time of victory beneath) is 22 and has a one-handed backhand. She performed properly however Kenin, now ranked No. 120, was not at her greatest regardless of having proven bettering type of late. Trailing 6-4, 4-3, she obtained a go to from the coach and had her left thigh wrapped. But it surely didn’t assist, two video games later she was out 6-4, 6-3 within the first spherical of qualifying.
On Tuesday, the three Canadians within the qualifying make their debuts with No. 177-ranked Carol Zhao first up dealing with No. 279 Katarzyna Kawa of Poland, who beat Rebecca Marino within the opening spherical of Wimbledon final yr. Zhao vs Kawa is on the 10 a.m. begin time (4 a.m. ET in Canada) on Courtroom No. 11.
Katherine Sebov is fourth on Courtroom No. 2 after 10 a.m. versus Petra Marcinko of Croatia. The 257-ranked Marcinko is 17 and can be matched towards the No. 141-ranked 24-year-old from Toronto who has made marked progress in 2023 – together with qualifying for her first Grand Slam occasion on the 2023 Australian Open.
Gabriel Diallo is taking part in the second Grand Slam qualifying of his profession after exiting within the first spherical on the Aussie Open in January. Now ranked No. 146, the 20-year-old Montrealer will tackle Timofey Skatova. The Kazakh, 22, is ranked No. 147 and can be taking part in Diallo within the fifth match on Courtroom No. 6.
Probably the most notable change within the Roland Garros panorama this yr is the look of Courtroom Suzanne Lenglen. The superstructure for the retractable roof, which can be operational subsequent yr, is already in place. It makes it appear to be the stadium has grown wings, and it dwarfs the unique, distinctive symmetrical arc on the high of the stadium dealing with again towards Courtroom Philippe Chatrier. It’s barely distinguishable anymore.
Seen strolling amongst spectators between Courtroom Suzanne Lenglen and Courtroom Philippe Chatrier on Monday was former world No. 3 and coach of Roger Federer, Ivan Ljubicic. The 44-year-old Croat spoke a bit about a number of gamers, together with three which have been within the High 10, in addition to former No. 10 Denis Shapovalov, who’ve had discussions with him about teaching. Up to now he has not dedicated himself to anybody. Requested if he nonetheless performed tennis, he stated “solely generally with my son.” Pressed on whether or not he has now modified to golf, he rapidly responded, “oh no, I’m taking part in chess.” He claims it’s good for his mind.
All gamers are truthful recreation for selfies across the web site, and No. 109-ranked James Duckworth of Australia posed on Monday with the chaps pictured above. The guy within the black T-shirt is a super-knowledgeable tennis fan.
The principle Roland Garros boutique was open for enterprise on the primary day of qualifying. There’s a variety of merchandise accessible with Lacoste going bigtime with its assortment of hats.
There have been two guys strolling by means of the gang on Monday carrying a mannequin of a tennis court docket achieved by kindergarten kids. The hearsay has it that the younger, aspiring artists are going to be visiting Roland Garros on Tuesday.
There are a number of interactive actions for guests to Roland Garros. The instance above right here needs to be one of many extra passive ones as spectators can place their faces on photos of French No. 1 Caroline Garcia and 1983 French Open champion Yannick Noah, who’s celebrating the 40th anniversary of his memorable victory this yr.
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