The French have already done better than at Roland-Garros. Benjamin Bonzi and Adrian Mannarino qualified for the third round of the US Open on Wednesday, unlike Hugo Gaston whose journey from qualifying was abruptly interrupted. The unexpected Titouan Droguet, from the qualifications faced the Czech Mensik in the evening.
A total of eight of the 24 Frenchmen entered in the men’s and women’s main draws advanced to the second round. Four played on Wednesday and the other four (Gaël Monfils, Arthur Fils, Arthur Rinderknech and Clara Burel) will play on Thursday.
It passes: Bonzi, Mannarino
He had never done so well in New York: Bonzi (108th) qualified for the third round at the expense of the American Christopher Eubanks (30th) 7-6 (8/6), 2-6, 6- 2, 7-6 (9/7).
In difficult conditions, with a noisy American public and completely committed to the cause of Eubanks, the Frenchman showed composure, in particular on a passing-shot from behind which allowed him to win the first set.
After quickly giving up the second set, he took advantage of his opponent’s slowdown, especially on serve. In the fourth set, Eubanks seemed to lack momentum, committing 24 unforced errors in that set alone. Bonzi nevertheless needed a decisive play and three match points to conclude.
Last year, the 27-year-old Nîmes lost in the second round. This year, he will try to climb into the round of 16: it will be Friday against the Swiss Dominik Stricker (128th), surprise winner of Stefanos Tsitsipas (7th).
Mannarino, he overcame the Hungarian Fabian Marozsan (92nd) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 and qualified for the third round, equaling his best result at Flushing Meadows. At 35, he will try to reach the knockout stages of the American Major for the first time by facing the American Frances Tiafoe (10th), semi-finalist last year, or the Austrian Sebastian Ofner (58th).
It breaks: Gaston
After qualifying, Gaston (99th) was outclassed by the Serb Laslo Djere (N.38), 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 who deprived the Frenchman of a prestigious duel against Djokovic in the third round.
Winner of two Challenger tournaments in July (Iasi and Trieste), the Toulousain struggled throughout the match against his opponent’s powerful baseline game. He looked to force fate at the net, earning 25 points on climbs, but he also committed 29 unforced errors.