Osaka lets racquet talk, Andujar shocks Thiem
Paris, May 30: World number two Naomi Osaka let her racquet do the talking at the French Open on Sunday, maintaining her media boycott but briefly telling a TV interviewer that her clay court game is “a work in progress”.
Osaka opened the first day of action at Roland Garros with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Romanian world number 63 Patricia Maria Tig.
However, Osaka was threatened with disqualification from the French Open if she persists with her controversial media boycott, officials said.
“We have advised Naomi Osaka that should she continue to ignore her media obligations, she would be exposing herself to possible further code of conduct infringement consequences,” said a statement from the four Grand Slam tournaments after issuing the world number two with a $15,000 fine.
“As might be expected, repeat violations attract tougher sanctions including default from the tournament.”
Meanwhile, fourth seed Dominic Thiem blew a two-set lead to be dumped out in the first round by Spanish veteran Pablo Andujar on Sunday.
The 35-year-old Andujar staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the two-time Roland Garros runnerup 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 after almost four-and-ahalf hours on Court Philippe Chatrier.
It is the first time in his 17-year career that Andujar has come from two sets behind to win.
“It’s a very special moment because I’m 35 and I don’t know how long I’m going to play,” said Andujar. “I had to believe to be able to get this result.
“It was very difficult, in the third set he wasn’t quite as strong.”
It is Thiem’s first opening-round exit at Roland Garros and the first time he has failed to reach at least the quarter-finals of the tournament since 2015.
RESULTS (ROUND 1)
Women: Anhelina Kalinina (UKR) bt Angelique Kerber (GER x26) 6-2, 6-4; Elena Rybakina (KAZ x21) bt Elsa Jacquemot (FRA)
6-4, 6-1; Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS x31) bt Christina McHale (USA)
6-4, 6-0; Danka Kovinic (MNE) bt Clara Burel (FRA) 6-3, 7-6 (10/8); Ana Bogdan (ROM) bt Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) 6-1, 6-3; Naomi Osaka (JPN x2) bt Patricia Maria Tig (ROM) 6-4, 7-6
(7/4).
Men: Karen Khachanov (RUS x23) bt Jiri Vesely (CZE) 6-1, 6-2, 6-3; Henri Laaksonen (SUI) bt Yannick Hanfmann (GER)
6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2; Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x11) bt Mario Vilella Martinez (ESP) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2; Fabio Fognini (ITA x27) bt Gregoire Barrere (FRA) 64, 6-1, 6-4; Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-4, 6-1, 7-6
(7/5); Pablo Andujar (ESP) bt Dominic Thiem (AUT
x4) 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.