Medvedev, Ruud make French Open 2nd round, Shapovalov axed
Sports Desk, May 24 (EFE).- Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday made a strong comeback to competition at the French Open, where Casper Ruud brought Jo Wilfried Tsonga’s farewell appearance to a sudden end.
Medvedev, the second seed, earned a comfortable straight-set victory over Facundo Bagnis to prove that the hernia issue that forced him under the knife last month is a thing of the past.
The Russian needed one hour and 38 minutes to defeat the Argentine 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 to make it past the French Open first round only for the second time in his sixth tournament appearance.
The 2021 US Open champion will take on Laslo Djere who defeated Ricardas Berankis 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
Norway’s Ruud, the eighth seed, had to overcome an electric Philip Chartier court on his way to defeat Tsonga, 37, who announced that he would retire after this tournament.
The French wildcard, however, was not ready to quit without a fight, but he struggled with a right shoulder issue that required medical treatment at the end of the match that marred his already slim chances.
With a 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 7-6 victory in nearly four hours, Ruud will play Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round.
The 14th seed Denis Shapovalov paid for the 53 unforced errors he made throughout a two-hour match to lose in straight sets to Holger Rune, who is making his French Open main draw debut.
The 19-year-old Danish claimed his maiden Grand Slam victory in his third major appearance.
Andrey Rublev, the seventh seed, rallied from a set down to defeat South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo. EFE
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