They were nine, they are now only three French at the top of the table at the Australian Open. The first day will have been difficult for France tennis in Melbourne. Among the entrants, only Corentin Moutet, Constant Lestienne and Clara Burel have extricated themselves from the traps set for them. For Quentin Halys, on the other hand, there was no miracle: he was beaten in three sets 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) by Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Defeat just as dry but less excusable for Arthur Rinderknech against an opponent of lower caliber. The Frenchman took 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 against Watanuki. Grégoire Barrère didn’t do much better against Etcheberry, but had the merit of having believed in it for a set: defeat 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Other French losers of the day also include Lucas van Asche, Jelena Janicijevic and Léolia Jeanjean.
Quiet Swiatek and Medvedev
In the category of almost French, Stanislas Wawrinka, whose decline makes you a little sad, said goodbye to the kangaroos after having entertained the crowds (defeat in five sets against Molcan). Félix Auger-Aliassime, he was very scared against his compatriot Vasek Pospisil. Winner of the first set where nothing and no one, not even Djokovic or Thanos could have stopped him, Pospisil ended up falling into line, and FAA waking up. Toni Nadal’s protege passed in four rounds.
Less worry for Daniil Medvedev. The 8th in the world launched his Australian Open on Monday with an expeditious 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 victory against the American Marcos Giron (56th) on the Rod Laver court. “I have good memories from last year, but I want better ones this year,” warned the Russian, finalist in 2022.
Iga Swiatek, no less determined to win in the women’s draw, did not drop a single set against Julia Niemeier, who had given her a hard time at the US Open 2022. This time, the Pole was more solid winning 6-4, 7-5.