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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Daniel Harris

French Open 2017: Tommy Robredo v Dan Evans and more – day one as it happened

Daniel Evans of Great Britain plays a forehand during the mens singles first round match against Tommy Robredo of Spain
Daniel Evans of Great Britain plays a forehand during the mens singles first round match against Tommy Robredo of Spain Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Thanks all for your company and comments; enjoy what’s left of the weekend.

So, that’s us for today; we’ll be back tomorrow, with Muguruza getting her defence underway, Djokovic in action too, and plenty more.

Haase is a set up on Minaur.

Elsewhere, Benneteau is a break up on Pouille; they’re 1-1 in sets.

Updated

GAME, SET AND MATCH ROBREDO!

He beats Evans 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-1; not bad for 35. Mats reckons Evans has a stomach upset, and also that he played well to lead a set and a break, but lost concentration and allowed the big moments to get away from him.

The more brutal this match has got the more Robredo has enjoyed it; and it’s instructive that 13 shots is the longest rally in the match. Evans hasn’t trusted himself to let the winners come, and he’s now matchpoint down...

Robredo then uncorks a monstrous topspin forehand and pulls Evans all over the court next point; he’s 5-1 ahead and needs one more game to move on.

Lovely from Evans, a backhand slice down the line on the backhand side that totally gulls Robredo; break point; deuce.

Oh dear - Evans, who is bravely going for everything, has finally ceded the double-break. 4-2 Robredo, and impossible to fathom a way back for yerman.

Updated

Venus has won the first set against Wang, 6-4.

In any case, the winner of this match plays Dimitrov, so, well, y’know.

Buyukakcay is now a set and a break up on Lucic-Baroni.

Evans is going for everything but isn’t hitting his straps at the moment. But he averts a first double-break point with a drop-shot, then another with a service winner.

Halys and Trungelliti are now playing a decider.

“It’s now a lesson in good body-language,” says Mats of Robredo’s lead - he’s broken Evans in the first game of the fifth set, and this could be very over very soon.

And it’s now level at a set apiece.

Benneteau, who lost the first set to 16th seed Pouille, is a break up in the second.

Robredo wins the third set 6-3

An ace sliced towards the far corner does it - Evans barely attempts pursuit - and I’d not be remotely surprised to see him romp through the fourth.

Updated

Anyway, another break on Court 2 which means that Robredo is serving for the third set at 5-3.

I said earlier that perhaps Dimitrov was the best men’s tenniser after the big four and Wawrinka. I’ve since been informed by a tennis coach buddy that Thiem, Delpo and Zverev are all better. Obviously I’m right.

Lajovic has taken the first set off Bellucci, 6-4; Belluci has a break in the second.

Oh me! Oh My!

Robredo is wet and sheeny like a baby seal, and Evans, struggling as I said, breaks him to love! He’s showing proper moxie here.

Buyukakcay of Turkey has taken the first set against Lucic-Baroni of Croatia; she’s the 22nd seed.

But not for long! Evans looks in trouble physically - he put a lot into that last game - and now trails 2-4.

Hello! Evans steps it up, really taking it to Robredo at 1-3 down - this is a real effort game. And he hollers loud when Robredo nets a forehand; he’s broken back!

Updated

Robredo is serving and volleying a lot here; it’s working really well.

Still, he’s on the board in this set now, 1-3 behind.

Mats explains that Evans is clearly suffering and doesn’t think he can win, but needs to hide that fact from his opponents.

Evans spends changeover with his head between his knees. He’s had more enjoyable afternoons.

Updated

Evans fights his way to 30-all and is right in another punishing rally, so Robredo simply crashes a one-handed backhand low over the net cross-court, and polishes off the game immediately thereafter.

On Chatrier, Puille has taken the first set off Benneteau in a tie-break; on Lenglen, Venus has just started against Wang.

Brilliant from Robredo, winning a long rally with a slam before zoning a backhand return low over the net. He leads 2-0 in the third and it’s hard to plot a way back for Evans.

Tsurenko has beaten Kozlova 6-4, 6-0. She’ll play Makarova in the next round.

Evans went to a lot of trouble in that second set to then lose it being careless, but that’s what he did. Can he respond?

Pouille and Benneteau are playing a first-set tie-break.

Oh, this rig.

Robredo levels the match, winning the second set 6-4

He chucks everything at a forehand return, and though Evans is there for it, he goes long. Robredo looks much fresher, and unlikely to lose from here.

Loose play from Evans, a misjudged volley haring into the net giving Robredo two set-points...

Dominic Thiem has dealt with Bernard Tomic 4,0 and 2. That’s a serious performance from him, that will have surprised no one. He’s a contender.

The sun’s gone in but it’s still hot as you like - or don’t like in the case of Evans. Serving at 3-4, he allows Robredo in for a volley that gives him 15-30, but then plays a very good point to right matters. Next comes an ace, then a serve out wide to the backhand; Robredo nets, and that’s 4-4.

Thiem is 4-1 ahead in the third set; he’s making a tricky-looking draw look absolutely pips.

Updated

Dans la maison.

Robredo has clambered back into things, breaking Evans back, and he’s really hitting a heavy ball now, trying to break Evans physically. The thing with Evans is that he has the weapons to seize a game at any point.

Incidentally, Thiem is in Mats’ top four, with Djokovic and Nadal. He’s reserving judgment on Murray until he’s played his first-round match.

Thiem has raced through the second set against Tomic, taking it 6-0. This one might soon be done.

Quentin Halys, aged 20, leads Marco Trungelliti by two sets to love, but looks about to lose the third.

Evans does consolidate, with a dematerialising backhand.

Updated

Evans is on one here - he’s broken Robredo in the first game of the second set, and if he can just consolidate, he’ll be in a commanding position.

Evans wins the first set 7-5!

A surface-to-air forehand scuds into the backhand corner, and Evans likes it a lot. That’s a really wise, composed set from him - he played his own game, and took the big chance when it materialised.

Updated

Evans brings up two set-points, but with both players at the net bunts a drop-shot when a lob was required and Robredo doesn’t need to be asked twice.

Thiem has won the first set against Tomic, 6-4. He’s looking strong.

Evans climbs into a mahoosive forehand to set-up a break-point, and then another one persuades Robredo to go wide! He’ll serve for the first set after change of ends!

I say that about Evans, but perhaps I was being harsh. He’s trying to play short points, which is what suits him best, but also what Robredo doesn’t want.

Evans is looking more comfy now - I’m not certain he has a plan to beat Robredo, but his game is holding together nicely.

In commentary, Mats reckons that Evans needs to win the first set to have a chance. By the look of things, it’ll take a tie-break - it’s now 5-4 Robredo.

Kukushkin of Kazakhstan has beaten Sandgren of USA, 2,1 and 4.

Well whaddaya know, eh? Karlovic has only gone and broken serve, to lead Tsitsipas 7-6, 7-5.

Robredo is starting to find his range, while Evans is clearly hating the heat. It’s that top I was on about earlier, looks thicker than the Yellow Pages.

Oh look, Ivo Karlovic is on the verge of another tie-break. The Wimbledon of tennis.

Robredo is looking pretty smart, incidentally - blue Tacchini top, red shoulders. Sadly, he’s teamed it with tight shortshorts and Bono sunnies.

Robredo has broken Evans back, so we’re at 2-2 now.

Next on Chatrier, by the way: Pouille-Benneteau.

Chatrier/by the way is going in my book of rhymes. Just call me Nas.

Game, set and match Dimitrov

He beats Robert 2,3 and 4, looking serious in so doing. I know the rankings say differently but he might be the best after Federer at 5.

Evans is grooving his forehand and goes to 30-15 with a beaut, whipped from low by his ankles onto the edge of Robredo’s forehand tramline. That gets him 30-all, two quick points follow, and the break is consolidated.

Updated

Evans is exceedingly poorly-attired in an Elesse top of predominant sky blue, with navy on top and white shoulders and armpits. Someone’s been to Cromwell’s. But he breaks Robredo in the opening game, which has stopped anyone from noticing.

It’s 32 degrees on court; it’s not far off where I am, thanks to my smart as heated clothes horse.

Thiem-Tomic is underway on Lenglen. That could be good, or Thiem could just breeze through it.

Dan Evans is feeling “pretty good”. He thinks he’s been handed a difficult draw, and still doesn’t like the clay, though is more comfy on it than once.

Eurosport have moved us over to Evans-Robredo which will start shortly. Can’t believe they’ve robbed us of the thrilling denouement.

Dimitrov just won’t let Robert alone, forcing him to play six or seven shots to stay in every rally.

Obviously Dimitrov saved those break points, then won the next two too. 4-0, by two sets to love.

“Oh good, Ivo Karlovic is a a set up,” said no one ever, but he is. 7-6, natch. It’s on serve in the second - he’s playing Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Updated

He’s 6/6 on break points today - not bad at all. But now he’s facing three; the fightback starts here!

Double-break for Dimitrov. This is exceedingly competent work.

Game, set and match Kuznetsova 7-5, 6-4 McHale

A game effort from McHale, but the number eight seed and many’s favourite for the title is through. Me, I think that sooner or later she’ll run into a player with more devastating weapons having a good day.

Dimitrov has broken and consolidated. He’ll have his feet up in no time.

Kuznetsova has broken back the breakback. She’s now serving for the match.

Ah - Medvedev has retired at two sets and a break down to Bonzi. Next on Court 2: Dan Evans v Tommy Robredo.

It’s only just occurred to me what a weird nickname Babyfed is.

Click, bump, thud: Dimitrov wins the aforementioned second set with an ace down the middle. Robert is game as, and has a lovely eye and touch, but Babyfed is just too much.

Well-in McHale! She’s broken Kuznetsova back, so they’re now 4-4 in yon second set.

FYI

A brilliant backhand winner followed by a net-cord means that Dimitrov will have to serve for this second set. He looks in no mood to mess around.

Over on Court 2, Bonzi has just taken the third set against Medvedev - he leads 2-1, and has just broken in the first game of the third.

It seems unlikely that on clay, there’s anything anyone can do to stop Nadal, but once we move to the grass, Dimitrov has the game to cleanse anyone.

Dimitrov is purring now - he’s 4-1 ahead in the second set, and looks keen to get out of this as quickly as possible.

And we’ve got a good game coming up on on Lenglen, once Kuznetsova, a set and a break up, has disposed of McHale: Tomic v Thiem.

Updated

Carreno Buster leads Mayer by a set and a break...

Good hold for Dimitrov, who now leads 2-1 in the second set.

Robert shmices a backhand down the line which gives him two break points. A service winner ruins one and a long forehand another.

“Whilst we feasted on Stephane Robert and Grigor Dimitrov, of what did you partake?” asks Andrew Benton. “Trust it hasn’t sated your tennis appetite, whatever it was.”

I am now going to embarrass myself. We had visitors for Friday night dinner, so leftovers of spicy lamb cutlets, burgers (homemade) and spicy noodles, with brownie for afters.

I’m not amped for more tennis, though am enduring something of a carb/greed comedown.

So, Grigor Dimitrov, then. Will he ever be good enough to compete the best while they’re still the best? Or is he hoping that the big four move on soon and he’s the best of the rest?

Daniel of Japan leads Janowicz of Poland by two sets to love.

Dimitrov takes the first set 6-2

After that coruscating start, Robert concedes tamely with a double-fault.

Kuznetsova, the women’s number 17 seed, has a break in the second set; she already leads McHale 7-5.

Another winner:

Hello, hello, said it’s good to be back, good to be back.

What a band they were in their prime.

On Suzanne Lenglen, Kutnetsova is a set up on McHale, winning the first 7-5. It’s 1-1 in the second. On Philipppe Chatrier, Robert has woken up a bit. It’s a treat for fans of shot-making tennis this. It’s now 2-4, and I’ll hand you back to Daniel Harris.

Right, so after that nine-minute opening match, Dimitrov is finding very little resistance from Robert. He wins the next game very comfortably indeed and leads 4-1 now.

Dimitrov has the momentum now, working Robert around the court and breaking him to love. He shouldn’t really have won the last point after Robert chased down a drop shot, but thumped his return into the top of the net, from where it looped out. Dimitrov leads 3-1 in the first.

Dimitrov holds serve more comfortably in the third game, romping to 40-0 before giving Robert a sniff. 2-1 Dimitrov.

Robert eventually gets the best a of a fantastically fluent rally when he is 15-30 down, a sensational piece of sliding, clay court tennis played in 23 shots. It gives him the momentum to go on and win the game. 1-1.

Dimitrov eventually wins the first game - after nine minutes and saving three break points. We could be here tomorrow if this carries on.

Robert can play shots too, and does for Dimitrov with a beautiful drop shot that takes the scores back to deuce for the third (or is it fourth?) time. These two are going to be a good watch this afternoon. If they can get the first game out of the way.

Dimitrov opens his French Open account this year with a double fault and, taking his time between serves, looks mildly perturbed as Robert takes him to deuce in the first game. Dimitrov is lovely to watch, making shots all round the court, but less successful on the defence front. At advantage, he then messes up his chance of winning the opening game by missing a very simple forehand. Back to deuce it goes.

Brit watch: Dan Evans will be in action around about 2pm today, he’s taking on Tommy Robredo on Court Two.

Next up on Court Philippe-Chatrier is Stephane Robert, the French 37-year-old who is ranked 113th in the world, against Grigor Dimitrov (No11).

So, who wins the women’s tournament from here? Nobody has a clue any more. Svitolina, Kuznetsova, Halep, Muguruza, Konta, Venus Williams? To some extent, it may depend on who can handle the pressure the best.

Anyway, I’m nipping off for dinner - Tom Bryant will coax you through the next little bit.

This women’s draw is wide open. I’ve not the slightest idea who’ll be in the final.

Makarova also says she wasn’t going to wait for Kerber’s errors - and that’s exactly how she played.

“Unblievable” says Makarova.

Makarova was brilliant today. She went for her shots even at crucial moments, her forehand boomed, and Kerber couldn’t cope.

THE NUMBER ONE SEED IS OUT! Makarova 6-2, 6-2 Kerber

For the first time in the open era, the women’s number one seed is out in the first round! That’s twice in two years for Kerber!

Makarova has now saved 7 [seven] break points in this game alone, and now has a matchpoint!

Updated

Kerber has now frittered four break points but immediately arranges another - her 14th of the match, for only two conversions. But Makarova seizes on a short ball to whip it cross-court, and we’re back to deuce!

Makarova is nervous. She finds herself 15-40 down, but a thunderous ace down the middle helps her out. Then, a murderous forehand does likewise, it’s deuce, and she’s two points away.

Oh, Angelique! She hands Makarova two break points with a netted drop-shot, then cements it with a double-fault! Makarova will serve for the match after change of ends!

Gah! Makarova cedes one of her breaks with a double-fault. She leads 6-2, 4-2.

Ramos-Vinolas has won the third set; he now leads Copil 2-1.

Makarova plays an absolutely terrific point to save her service. She gets towards the nets and sends Kerber scurrying to hither and yon before finally finishing things with a forehand volley.

Gilles Muller has levelled matters against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez - it’s now one set-all.

And there it is! Makarova breaks again to lead 6-2, 4-1!

Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova returns the ball to Germany’s Angelique Kerber
Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova returns the ball to Germany’s Angelique Kerber Photograph: Petr David Josek/AP

Updated

Oh yes! Makarova forces another break point, and Kerber plays a delicious drop-shot from the baseline! But, that said, Makarova is doing really well to keep on Kerber instead of just waiting for her serve.

Kerber is getting a bit closer to the baseline now, and hitting more aggressively, getting low on her groundstrokes. Even so, she still finds herself two break-points down ... and kills both with fine shots!

Well-in Angelique Kerber! A brilliant cross-court backhand claws back one of Makarova’s two breaks!

She can, but Makarova quickly relieves her of it with a clean-up backhand.

Bit of fight from Kerber, whose confidence looks shot - a forehand pass, down the line from out wide, gets her to 30-all on the Makarova serve. Can she force a chance?

Elsewhere: Ramos-Vinolas is 5-1-up on Copil in the third set - he lost the first.

Double-break Makarova! A tame backhand into the net, and by the look of things Kerber is going home tout de suite!

This is great from Makarova, whose forehand is absolutely dominating this match. She quickly earns herself three break points, and though Kerber saves two, another booming forehand - inside-out - and Kerber is in all sorts!

Updated

Imagine being called Horacio. You’d take it.

Zeballos has beaten Mannarino 5,3 and 4.

Nothing whatsoever to do with tennis, but wonderful nonetheless.

Makarova takes the first set against Kerber, 6-2!

Kerber needs to improve, and by a lot.

Saved! Makarova plays a really good point here, moving Kerber side to side with punishing groundstrokes to elicit a long backhand.

Oh Angelique! She earns a break point and a weak second serve arrives onto her backhand, only for her to tamely waft it wide! But she quickly racks up another...

But a loopy backhand down the line goes long, and we’re at deuce.

Makarova quickly takes 30-0, and when Kerber fights back to level, thuds an ace dahn the middle. Set point!

Right then, here’s Makarova, 5-2-up, looking to serve out the first set.

Ramos-Vinolas has taken the second set against Copil 6-1, levelling the match. I’d expect him to stretch clear now.

Updated

The harder Makarova pushes, the more Kerber will doubt herself - she’s horribly out of form and she knows it.

Mannarino isn’t long for this tournament - Zeballos now leads him 7-5, 6-3, 4-1.

An unforced error from Kerber - is there ever such a thing? - and Makarova has the double-break!

Makarova is looking really strong - she intends to win this, evidenced by her vex when she allows Kerber to lead 40-30. But then a forehand down the line forces a floaty response, and a forehand volley is duly punished for deuce.

And what’s this?! Makarova is 30-0-up on the Kerber serve...

Kerber, on the board now, is starting to address her forehand properly, whamming it early and deep. But Makarova responds and it’s now 3-1. This is shaping up to be an excellent tussle.

Ramos-Vinolas is roaring back against Copil, 4-1-up in the second set after losing the first.

“Kerber looks a little flat to me,” says Mary Pierce - and Makarova leads 2-0 in the first set.

Zeballos now leads Mannarino by two sets to love; Guillermo Garcia-Lopez leads Gilles Muller, the number 26 seed, by one set to love.

Angelique Kerber has just started against Ekaterina Makarova. It’s rare to see two lefties play, and this is a tricky start for the world number 1 - a big swinging serve is not really what you need first up.

Excellent game going on on Court 2 - Puig is now a break up in the decider.

Email! “Enough of this gushing, Guardian Kvitova love-in, let’s talk Britain,” says Andrew Benton. Murray simply can’t cut la moutarde at the moment, so the only hope for a UK semi-finalist is Konta. Can she do it? Could she get past Kvitova, if needed? There seem to be a lot of viable contenders this year, especially now that Serena isn’t playing.”

It’s never enough. But Murray could still do it - it doesn’t take that long to find the groove, and he’s in the right half of the draw.

As for Konta, she can beat anyone, but needs to convince herself that she’s capable of it on the clay. See Kevin Mitchell, here:

Greg Rusedski says Kvitova has done a lot of work in the gym and on her movement in the time she’s been out.

Vinci has taken that second set against Puig. Copil has taken the first set against 19th seeded Ramos-Vinolas.

So Angelique Kerber is next. Follow that...

“Petra Kvitova, you’re such an inspiration” - well said Marion Bartoli.

“I tried. I didn’t have time to practice, we practised two or three weeks maximum ... It doesn’t matter how I played, just that I won and I’m happy for that.”

Her family are wearing t-shirts with “Courage” and “Belief” on them. “With the heart, it’s everything possible.”

Updated

Kvitova: “It’s a pleasure to be here, I’m glad made the decision to play here ... thank you for everything, you helped me through this difficult time.”

Updated

GAME SET AND MATCH KVITOVA, 6-3, 6-2!

The crowd clap as Kvitova prepares to serve at 40-15 ... fault. But then she gets the second one in, dominates the rally, and Boserup nets a forehand! Kvitova’s eyes are moist ... I’ve got something in my eye. What a woman!

Zeballos, already a set up, now has a break in the second - he leads Mannarino 7-5, 3-0.

Talking of, it’s now 5-2 in the second set - Kvitova is flowing, and has a second break. She’ll be back shortly to serve for the match.

Updated

“Totally agree with you about having a pint with Petra,” tweets John McEnerney, “though she may drink you under the table. Total warrioress! She could win this French Open!”

Do we know each other? Where have you seen me embarrassing myself? And yep, she could - it’d be incredible.

Vinci is fighting back hard on Court 2 - she leads Puig 4-1 in the second set.

On Lenglen, Zeballos has taken the first set 7-5 against Mannarino, and is also called Horacio, not Adrian.

Kvitova has already served eight aces. She’ll be pretty nifty when she’s fit and grooved. 3-1 to her in the second set, first set 6-3.

Apparently Kvitova’s surgeon says she’s not at 100% yet, but he realises he’s dealing with a very motivated athlete who just wants to get on with things.

Elsewhere, Monica Puig, the unseeded Olympic champion, has taken the first set against Roberta Vinca [31].

...the sun’s out!

Hopefully this won’t be for too long...

Oh, sake.

Rain stopped play.

They’re carrying on for the now - no one expected this, so hopefully it’ll be over presently.

It’s raining....

Petra Kvitova is brilliant, incidentally. Obviously there’s the fact that she’s left-handed, but there’s more to it than that, even. She plays properly fierce tennis, competes in similar vein, and you’d have a pint with her. She’s really starting to open her shoulders now, a break up in the second set.

On Lenglen, Zeballos and Mannarino are 5-5 in the first.

Things to which we can look forward: Dan Evans is playing Tommy Robredo, Dominic Thiem is playing Bernard Tomic, and Angelique Kerber gets her go underway against the handy Ekaterina Makarova.

Petra Kvitova wins the first set 6-3!

It’s beautiful thing. Apologies, Julia.

Updated

So, let’s begin on Philippe-Chatrier, where the returning Petra Kvitova has just had a serve thrashed back past here by Julia Boserup; that’s the second of two set-points saved.

Preamble

Bonjour mesdames et monsieurs, pour aller à la gare? Je fais la spéléologie. De toute façon, qui veut du tennis? Très bien. Voilà du tennis!

Updated

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