Russians begin French conquest in style
World number two Daniil Medvedev of Russia reached the French Open second round with a comfortable win but 14th seed Denis Shapovalov made a surprise exit. Later, Medvedev’s compatriot Andrey Rublev defeated South Korea’s Soon-woo Kwon 6-7(5) 6-3 6-2 6-4.
US Open champion Medvedev, 26, won 6-2 6-2 6-2 against Argentine Facundo Bagnis, ranked 103rd. The Russian reached his first quarter-final at Roland Garros last year - having lost in the first round the four previous times.
He had been unsure of his participation after a hernia operation in April. “I love Roland Garros, especially since last year. I hope this year I can go further,” said Medvedev. “When I went under the knife, I didn’t think I was going to play on clay, but I managed with the doctor and physio to get back. Physically, I feel 100 per cent.”
Meanwhile, 2021 Wimbledon semi-finalist Shapovalov said he “didn’t really show up” in a straight-sets defeat by Danish 19-year-old Holger Rune.
The 23-year-old Canadian, who reached the last eight at the Australian Open earlier this year, made a huge 53 unforced errors as the 2019 junior Roland Garros champion won 6-3 6-1 7-6 (7-4).
Rublev fought back after losing the first set in tie-break to claim the next three with considerable ease. The 24-year-old Russian will next take on Argentina’s Federico Delbonis.
Bagnis, 32, immediately responded after seeing his serve broken in the opening game - but that was to prove a rare glimmer of hope for him against Medvedev on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
In a dominant display, second seed Medvedev won nine successive games as he efficiently settled the first set and took a commanding 4-0 lead on his way to clinching the second.
The Russian, unable to compete under his national flag because of the war in Ukraine, saw his progress checked as Bagnis - struggling with a calf issue throughout - broke back to level the third set at 2-2.
But that only served to refocus Medvedev, who rattled through the next four games to end the contest after just one hour and 38 minutes.
Meanwhile, in the women’s half, Czech eighth seed Karolina Pliskova survived a first-round scare to advance to second round.
Pliskova battled from a set and a break down against French wildcard Tessah Andrianjafitrimo, winning 2-6 6-3 6-1.
She is joined in the next round by American Danielle Collins, who recovered from two breaks of serve in the second set to beat Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova 6-0 6-4.
Meanwhile, former champion Jelena Ostapenko beat Lucia Bronzetti 6-1 6-4.
Results: Men:
D Medvedev bt F Bagnis 6-2, 6-2, 6-2; H Rune bt D Shapovalov 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (4); L Sonego bt P Gojowczyk 6-2, 6-2, 6-1; A Rublev bt S Kwon 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-4; C Ruud bt J Tsonga 6-7(8), 7-6(4), 6-2, 7-6(0). K Pliskova bt T Andrianjafitrimo 2-6, 6-3, 6-1; A Cornet bt M Doi 6-2, 6-0; C Garcia bt T Townsend 6-3, 6-4; D Collins bt V Tomova 6-0, 6-4