Frances Tiafoe has not been playing inspiring tennis lately. Who knew how he would show up on day one of the second major of the season. Roman Safiullin could have given him a run for his money as he won their only previous encounter. However, the American realized he needed to step up his game.
Frances Tiafoe won the match because he dominated on his second serve and was only broken once. The American is coming in as the fifteenth seed and this is a positive start for him. The question of course is how committed is he to going far in the draw. For now, American fans are happy he won 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
Other Day One American Winners
[12] Tommy Paul had to buckle down after losing the first set to lucky loser, Elmer Moller. Moller won the first set 7-6(5); however, Paul found his game to win the next three sets 6-2, 6-3, 6-1. [13] Ben Shelton had to work extremely hard for the five-set victory over Lorenzo Sonego. He started off well, winning the first set 6-4, but he played loosely in the next two sets. Thankfully, he was able to rein in the ship and get his head back in the game to win 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Embed from Getty ImagesReilly Opelka came back after the dropping the first set in his match against Rinky Hijikata. Opelka won 1-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-6(3). Jenson Brooksby is still working his way back up the rankings, he defeated Jaime Faria 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Nice to see [16] Amanda Anisimova winning her match, albeit through the retirement of her opponent, Nina Stojanovic. Anisimova won 6-3, 4-1(RET). Good win for Emilio Nava. The American wild card dispatched of Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 7-5. American teenager, Iva Jovic, had a nice win on day one of the Roland Garros tournament. The seventeen-year-old defeated the veteran Renata Zarazua 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
Roland Garros Day One Fallen Seeds
[21] Tomas Machac retired in his match against Quentin Halys. Halys won the first set 7-6(4) and was up 4-1 when his Czech opponent retired. [26] Marta Kostyuk fell in straight sets to the nineteen-year-old qualifier, Sara Bejlek, 3-6, 1-6. Canadian [27] Leylah Fernandez lost easily to Olga Danilovic 3-6, 1-6.
Embed from Getty Images[28] Brandon Nakashima was not prepared for his opponent, Mariano Navone. Navone defeated the American 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Peyton Stearns [28] fell in straight sets to Eva Lys 0-6, 3-6. [29] Linda Noskova fought hard, but fell to Anastasia Potapova, 7-5, 1-6, 5-7. American [32] Alex Michelsen fell in straight sets to qualifier, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, 3-6, 2-6, 4-6.
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