Thiem Dream; Nadal, Djokovic On Court Monday at French Open
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Only one Top 10-seeded player in action kicked off play in a subdued fashion on Sunday at Roland Garros, where No. 6 Dominic Thiem looked every bit the title contender in a comprehensive 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 victory over Australian Bernard “The Tank Engine” Tomic.
ADHEREL
“He’s not a player you want in the first round,” Tomic said. “The draw was bad. He killed me. I had no chance. It’s not easy when you’re not seeded. Game-wise on clay he’s at a different level to me. After Rafa, he’s the best on clay this year.”
Thiem said the heat was the worst of any of his opening-round matches at Roland Garros.
“I was a bit nervous before the match,” Thiem said. “This tournament is the biggest highlight of the year of the year for me, the Slam on clay. I was a little bit tight. Of course if I play my aggressive game style, I guess it’s tough to be in the rally with me. I never played in such hot conditions in Paris, so I’m happy that I won in three sets.”
Seeded winners outside the Top 10 Sunday were No. 11 Grigor Dimitrov rolling past Frenchman Stephane Robert 6-2, 6-3, 6-4; No. 16 Lucas Pouille winning the all-French battle against Julien Benneteau in five sets 7-6(6), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4; and No. 19 Albert Ramos, No. 20 Pablo Carreno Busta, and No. 23 “Dr.” Ivo Karlovic advancing.
“Now I hope to go as far as possible, I want to win a Grand Slam,” Pouille said. “I know it’s not easy but I will see where I can get to.”
Dimitrov will next face veteran Spanish grinder Tommy Robredo.
“The last time I won a match here was a couple of years ago so I am pretty pleased to come out here in front of you guys and play on centre court,” Dimitrov said afterwards. “It’s a beautiful Sunday. I know what it is to play at home and be a favorite. It was a good test. I have known Stephane for good few years, we are friends, we have practiced together.”
The only upset-minded player on the day was Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez who ground down No. 26-seeded Gilles Muller 7-6(4), 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-2.
Monday highlights at Roland Garros include (2) Novak Djokovic vs. Spaniard Marcel Granollers, (9) Alexander Zverev vs. Fernando “Hot Sauce” Verdasco, (4) Rafael Nadal vs. Benoit Paire, (10) David Goffin vs. Paul-Henri Mathieu, (7) Marin Cilic vs. Ernests Gulbis, and (28) Fabio Fognini vs. Frances Tiafoe.
MONDAY FRENCH OPEN SCHEDULE
Philippe-Chatrier Court
11:00 AM
Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) [4] vs. Francesca Schiavone (ITA)
Marcel Granollers (ESP) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) [2]
Jennifer Brady (USA) vs. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) [13]
Alexander Zverev (GER) [9] vs. Fernando Verdasco (ESP)
Suzanne-Lenglen Court
11:00 AM
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [11] vs. Jaimee Fourlis (AUS)
Benoit Paire (FRA) vs. Rafael Nadal (ESP) [4]
Saisai Zheng (CHN) vs. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) [2]
Richard Gasquet (FRA) [24] vs. Arthur De Greef (BEL)
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