Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrej Rublew won their opening games at the French Open – but they had a hard time doing it. Oscar Otte, on the other hand, was eliminated. Just like Jule Niemeier.
Tennis pro Oscar Otte failed his opening hurdle at the French Open in Paris. The Cologne native lost 5: 7, 6: 4, 1: 6, 6: 7 (2: 7) to the Russian Alexander Shevchenko and missed making it into the second round of Roland Garros for the second time in his career.
In the duel with the Grand Slam debutant, Otte never really found his game and had to admit defeat despite a temporary struggle. The 29-year-old last survived the first round in Roland Garros in 2019. In 2023, the man from Cologne has been following his form so far – he also ended early at the ATP Masters in Monte Carlo and Madrid.
Niemeier out too
Jule Niemeier then missed the surprise victory he had hoped for. The Wimbledon quarter-finalist of 2022 lost her first round match late Sunday evening 3: 6, 4: 6 against the Russian Darja Kassatkina, who was seeded in ninth place.
Niemeier, who had big problems with her serve and conceded eight breaks, did not make it into the second round at Roland Garros either. Following her Grand Slam debut at the French Open last year, the Dortmund native caused a sensation in Wimbledon and with her entry into the round of 16 at the US Open. In 2023, however, things are not going well for the 23-year-old.
The two remaining German starters Tatjana Maria and Anna-Lena Friedsam will be in action on Monday.
Tsitsipas is having a hard time
World number five Stefanos Tsitsipas found it surprisingly difficult to start. The 24-year-old won against the Czech Jiri Vesely on Sunday 7: 5, 6: 3, 4: 6, 7: 6 (9: 7) – he is now in round two of the Clay Court Grand Prix for the sixth time in a row. slams
Rublev is also struggling
Afterwards, the second top ten player, who served in Roland Garros on Sunday, also had to go through four sets. The Russian Andrei Rublew (25/No. 7) ultimately prevailed 6: 1, 3: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4 against Laslo Djere from Serbia.
“After the second set I was a bit too calm. I didn’t have the same energy anymore”said Rublev afterwards: “But then I caught myself again and was able to decide the match.”
Tsitsipas wins after more than three hours
Tsitsipas had more problems than expected on the Philippe Chatrier court with his opponent, who slipped down to world number 445 due to a persistent thigh injury. In the fourth set, the Greek fended off four set balls and finally won after 3:13 hours.
In round two, Tsitsipas meets the Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena. The Paris finalist from 2021 is one of the extended favorites in Roland Garros this year – as is the Monte Carlo winner Rublew. Both are still waiting for their first Grand Slam title.