Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal stormed into the French Open second round on Tuesday with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 mauling of Australia’s Sam Groth.
Advertisement
But having levelled for 4-4, the wheels came off for Lu and the 32-year-old only won two more games before Djokovic safely secured a second-round clash with Belgian Steve Darcis.
No. 2 Andy Murray was never that at peace during his struggle of a match, which was suspended because of darkness Monday night in the fourth set. Wawrinka had converted only two of 11 break points before using his signature backhand for a cross-court passing victor to go up 5-3 in the fourth, then held serve.
“It is unbelievable what he is doing. He had a bad injury a year ago yet at 37 is still coming out and fighting like that”.
Murray, who will be 37 in eight years, progressed with Aljaz Bedene and Kyle Edmund to ensure three British men in the second round at Roland Garros for the first time since 1975.
Also advancing were seventh-seeded Tomas Berdych, No. 13 Dominic Thiem, No. 15 John Isner and No. 20 Bernard Tomic.
In other maches, Tessah Andrianjafitrimo lasted just 51 minutes and 12 games in her first match in the main draw at the French Open, losing 6-0, 6-0 to China’s Wang Qiang. Hampered by a left shoulder injury, the third-seeded Kerber was upset by 58th-ranked Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
Depending on her results in Paris, and those of No. 2 Agnieszka Radwanska and No. 3 Angelique Kerber, Williams could be overtaken atop the rankings after the tournament.
Seven-time major victor Venus Williams, who lost the 2002 final to sister Serena, edged out Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4), while 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic held off French wildcard Oceane Dodin in three sets.
Jelena Jankovic also made an early exit, the Serbian 23rd seed dumped out by Tatjana Maria as the German won for the first time in Paris.
Seven-time major victor Venus Williams edged out Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-4), while former runner-up Sam Stosur overcame Misaki Doi of Japan 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
Rogers beat Pliskova, the 17th seed from the Czech Republic, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Trailing 3-6 3-6 6-0 4-2 when the match was stopped due to poor light, Murray will now have the chance to come back refreshed and will still be favoured to cross the finishing line first.
Stan Wawrinka narrowly avoided becoming the first defending champion to lose in the first round of the French Open, coming back to edge 59th-ranked Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic 4-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Monday.
Advertisement
Azarenka got more treatment but called it quits with Knapp leading, 6-3, 6-7 (8-6), 4-0.
