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OK, for now I’ve gone for De Minaur (11) 2-0 Michelson. Real talk, though, the most interesting matches – Evans v Rune, Goffin v Mpetshi Perricard, Zeppieri v Mannarino, Boulter v Badosa and Putintseva v Stephens – come later on.
We’re back away on the outside courts! Gimme a few and I’ll work out which matches Im going to watch.
Next on Lenglen: Magdalena Frech v Daria Kasatkina (10)
Next on Chatrier: Erika Andreeva v Aryna Sabalenka (2)
Tomás Martín Etcheverry (28) beats Arthur Cazaux 3-6 6-2 6-1 6-4That was a tremendous match – we’re going to have a lot of fun watching Cazaux these next few years – but it’s Etcheverry who moves on to meet Walton or Rinderknech.
And now a bodacious forehand raises break-back point! We saw what a player Cazaux can be in Melbourne, where he beat Holger Rune, and the crowd go wild for him … only for Etcheverry to send him hurtling into the hoarding in pursuit of a high-bouncing overhead. We’re back at deuce.
On Lenglen, Etcheverry is serving for the match at 5-4 in set four; Cazaux has just caressed a backhand winner down the line for 30-all.
Ruud is delighted to be back on Chatrier and thinks he played pretty well today looking for his groove. He was quite steady, not too many unforced errors, and played well in Geneva last week (he won). He’s had a decent season, like many he looks forward to this tournament, and hopes to have another good one.
He thinks the temperature makes the court slower and the ball bounce lower, and with the roof closed the added humidity does similarly. That’s interesting as yesterday I’m sure we were told that the roof speeds things up; we shall see.
Casper Ruud (7) beats Felipe Meligeni Alves 6-3 6-4 6-3Ruud has far tougher battles to come, but he was competent enough in getting this one done; he faces Davidovich Fokina or Vacherot next.
And spare a thought for the dubs types: all dubs matches have been cancelled for today – even though Luke Johnson and Skander Mansouri, so presumably others too, were walking to court when the most recent rain started.
Thanks Yara and hi everyone; this is a nause isn’t it? The first week of Slams is for us to watch a million matches at once, devouring surprise classics and memorable shocks, nut here we are. The good news, though, is that we should soon have play on all courts, and if so, we’re in for a good few hours.
That is all from me for today, so I leave you in the capable hands of Daniel Harris to take you through the rest of today’s action including the conclusion of these two matches. Thanks for joining me!
Etcheverry 3-6 6-2 6-1 4-3 Cazaux* (denotes server) Some double faults for Cazaux early on but he gets the reward for being the more aggressive player. Etcheverry is not hitting his shots as precisely anymore and they’re drifting too central. He looks over at his team with worry etched on his face but he manages to make it 40-40 with a fantastic drop shot that Cazaux nets.
The Argentine takes the advantage and then does get the break of serve.
An email from a reader has come in!
After pointing out a mistake on my part (thank you!), Olga asks if I think the grand slams will go to best of three for the men’s first week?
It’s hard to say! We’ve seen some change in the doubles, of course, but I think a lot of people like ‘tradition’. Though, if more and more players talk about fatigue and how it impacts their performances, then maybe?
*Etcheverry 3-6 6-2 6-1 3-3 Cazaux (denotes server) The crowd is really trying to motivate Cazaux despite the umpire’s best efforts to calm things down. Etcheverry responds by double faulting. Is the noise getting to him?
Cazaux goes 30-0 up after mistakes from the Argentine but Etcheverry gets one back with a fantastic drop shot that Cazaux strains and fails to get to. It does not deter the crowd though, who only get louder in their support of Cazaux. The roof that is protecting the court from the rain may be blown off due to the noise at this point.
He responds with some of his best tennis since the first set with an incredible forehand that is as straight as an arrow to take an advantage and then closes out the set another before gesturing for more cheers.
Ruud takes the second set 6-4 against AlvesRuud found himself under pressure after Alves continued to defend his set serves with a couple of flying forehands. But the most crucial one is sent long and the Norwegian is two sets up in just under 80 minutes.
*Etcheverry 3-6 6-2 6-1 2-0 Cazaux (denotes server) The Argentine continues to absorb the big hits from Cazaux before forcing him into a weirdly hit forehand to go 15-0 up. He wins the next two points with ease and takes the game with a dropshot winner.
Etcheverry takes the third set 6-1 against CazauxThe Frenchman looks exhausted. His energy has dipped significantly and the 28th seed is taking advantage by dragging out long rallies, with the Argentine winning 10 of the last 11 sets.
Alves 3-6 1-2 Ruud* (denotes server) Ruud holds and, again, Alves can’t keep up with his opponent’s pace. But he wins the third game of the second set after hitting two back-to-back winners.
Etcheverry 3-6 6-2 5-1 Cazaux* (denotes server) The Frenchman had to take a medical timeout due to some cramping in his thighs and hands. He is back on the court now but as he serves, he is constantly shaking his arm, trying to relieve some of the pain. And maybe possible nerves as well?
He makes it 40-15 by keeping the point short, the winner a spinning forehand near the net. But Etcheverry responds and gains advantage with a crosscourt backhand before breaking after Cazaux nets.
Ruud takes the first set 6-3 against AlvesSome thumping shots from the Brazilian are just not enough. Ruud is just too good on clay and is quickly able to maneuver around. Only one break is needed as he takes the first set in 47 minutes.
Casper Ruud of Norway plays a forehand against Felipe Meligeni Alves of Brazil. Photograph: Dan Istitene/Getty Images*Alves 3-5 Ruud (denotes server) A break! Some good serving from Alves which troubles Ruud. And he thinks he has the winner but the umpire confirms it is out.
Ruud takes the luck and produces a whizzing forehand before taking the game after Alves’s return clips the net and goes out.
Etcheverry takes the second set 6-2 against CazauxYou could hear a pin drop as Etch takes the second set, with the home crowd clearly disappointed. But the 28th seed has piled on the pressure. He has managed to slow the game down and force Cazaux closer to the net with each shot before hitting them near the baseline.
Players were warming up on the outdoor courts but the covers are back on as the rain in Paris has picked up again. The wait continues for the rain rain to go away.
Etcheverry 3-6 4-2 Cazaux* (denotes server) The home favourite is now under huge pressure as he fights to keep his serve … And he loses it after a double fault.
Alves 1-1 Ruud* (denotes server) The seventh seed under some early pressure as he fails to deal with a fantastic backhand.
Casper Ruud, the losing finalist in the last two years at Roland Garros, is back on court. Photograph: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images*Etcheverry 3-6 3-2 Cazaux (denotes server) This match seems like a game of tug-of-war. Etcheverry is trying to calm things down and silence the crowd by playing slow and patient, waiting for the right moment to take a shot. Cazaux, on the other hand, is so go good at playing quick on his feet, and spotting early opportunities to go for the tough winner.
It seemed Cazaux was winning the game of tug-of-war, with the Frenchman hitting an incredible drop shot but after netting in a 23-shot rally it was Etcheverry who comes away with the fifth game in the second set.
Up next on Philippe Chatrier, the seventh seed Casper Ruud will face Brazil’s qualifier, Felipe Alves.
The Norwegian is fresh from a tournament win in Geneva after playing the semi-final and final on Saturday.
Alize Cornet gets a farewell ceremony after her final tennis match of her career. She is in tears as she thanks her family and friends and the French fans.
Cazaux takes the first set 6-3 against EtcheverryA bit more space has opened up for Etcheverry to maneuver and he seems to find his rhythm when defending Cazaux’s serve.
The two get to 40-40 and then alternate between gaining advantages. But the Frenchman takes the set by hitting a speeding ace before forcing the 28th seed close to the net. Cazaux lifts his fist to the crowd in celebration as they cheer him on after about an hour of play.