Two-time finalist Thiem makes early exit
The two-time French Open finalist Dominic Thiem was stunned by veteran Spaniard Pablo Andújar in the first round at Roland Garros.
Thiem has struggled for form since winning his first grand slam title at the US Open last summer but looked to be finding a way past his 35-year-old opponent when he opened up a two-set lead. Andújar, who beat Roger Federer in Geneva last week, fought back dramatically to win 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a match that lasted more than four hours.
“I was not struggling with my motivation. The game was just not there today,” Thiem admitted afterwards. “The shots are not powerful enough, not accurate enough. I don’t really know why. It’s not the real me – the version that can play for big titles.”
The No 4 seed took a six-week break in March and April to step back from the demands of the tour, but made a shock early exit in a tournament where he has reached at least the quarter-finals on his previous five visits, losing to Rafael Nadal in the final in 2018 and 2019. PA
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Right then, that’s us for today; check back for our reports later on, and join me again tomorrow for another bazzer of a day featuring Swiatek, Sinner, Medvedev, Federer, Kenin v Ostapenko – and lots more. But till then, well done to Pablo Andujar, who searched deep within himself to conjure a miraculous comeback against Dominic Thiem. Ta-ra!
And breathe. Giannessi has just taken the fourth set against Nisikori; they’re about to start a decider. Elsewhere, Giron is through because Dimitrov had to retire after three games of set four, when leading 2-1; he plays Pella next, who beat Galan in three.
• This post was amended on 31 May 2021. An earlier version incorrectly said that Dimitrov had gone through.
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Andujar did so well to stay calm there, and tells Cedric Pioline that he’s surprised to win but kept on believing. He thinks this is a better win than the one over Federer, and he just kept believing when two sets down.
Pablo Andujar beats Dominic Thiem, the number four seed 4-6 5-7 6-3 6-4 6-4!
Oh I say! Andujar punishes a forehand, Thiem can’t respond, and he collapses onto the ground, aggravating some cramp in the process. Amazing! He’s 35 years-old and had never won from two sets down before. But he did a brilliant job here, clinching victory with a nerveless and mass-murderous forehand. He beat Federer recently and I’m sure he treasures that, but to beat someone as good as Thiem, at the peak of his powers and on his preferred service, it amazing. He meets Delbonis or Albot next.
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A terrific backhand, inside out from the centre of the baseline and into the corner, is too good, and Andujar has two match points!
Thiem lays a drop to yank Andujar into the net, but he shows superb hands to flick over a winner for 15-all, then holds it down for 30-15.
Here we go...
A seventh double at 30-0 invites Andujar into the game, so Thiem finds a monster that’s returned into the net ... and another. Andujar will have to serve for it; good luck, mate.
A love-hold for Thiem keeps him in the hunt but Andujar responds perfectly, racing to 30-0 then running down a forehand; it hands Thiem a simple put-away, though, and from close to the net he hammers down the line again ... but Andujar reads it, picking the right side and blazing a winner cross-court! That’s superbly done, and shortly afterwards he’s a game away! Andujar 4-6 5-7 6-3 6-4 5-3 Thiem
Sabalenka beats Konjuh 6-4 6-3!
That wasn’t an easy game for the number three seed, who looked set to win on various occasions before she actually did. Still, she’s into round two and will play Parry or Sasnovich next.
Thiem is struggling with balance here, trying to attack missing a couple, then trying to defend, missing a couple, and round and round. Addujar doesn’t need asking twice, holding to love, and is just two games away! Andujar 4-6 5-7 6-3 6-4 4-2 Thiem
Right, here we go! Andujar quickly gets himself 0-40 – there’ve been 34 break points in the match! – and Thiem saves the first in this game with a booming serve. But he can’t repeat the trick and Andujar climbs into his second, a forehand winner topspun cross-court, to break for the second time in the decider! Might that be the telling blow? Andujar 4-6 5-7 6-3 6-4 3-2 Thiem
Andujar is struggling now Thiem has got through his mid-match crisis and has to save a break point in order to make deuce. But two wild swings from a nauseated Belgian shove him through that and this is very, very tense now. Andujar 4-6 5-7 6-3 6-4 2-2 Thiem
Sabalenka is on the charge and now leads Konjuh 5-2 and by one set to love. She’s nearly done and is looking confident out there; maybe it’s now she gets beyond round four for the first time in a major. I hope so, because I love watching her work.
A comfortable hold from Thiem underlines the momentum shift and gives him 2-1 in the decider; can Andujar respond?
On Lenglen, Konjuh has broken back, so trails Sabalenka 4-6 2-3.
Andujar gets low to spirit a backhand winner down the line, his 11th of the match, but a forehand from Thiem, whipped cross-court, makes it 40-30. Pressure. And it tells, Thiem finding something to hang in the next rally; it ends when Andujar goes long, the next when Thiem absolutely mass-murders a backhand cross-court for break-back point. He can’t take it but make no mistake, he’s back into this, earning another with a bodacious overhead. AND HAVE A LOOK! Andujar wrongfoots him, so he draws back for his forehand then realising he can’t play it, brings the racket around his back and his opponent nets! People are something aren’t they? A few minutes ago, Thiem was totally bedraggled, now he’s the better player! Andujar 4-6 5-7 6-3 6-4 1-1 Thiem
“Could it be that Andujar is playing the match of his life at 35?” returns Jacques Derek Charlwood. “Way to go!”
Believe! As it goes, he’s not played that well, but Thiem has collapsed in very peculiar fashion.
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Hello! Andujar gets to 0-40 on the Thiem serve and then Thiem tosses one so far wide you can’t believe he tries to hit it! The serve dumps into the net, but his second go wins the point ... but then he nets a backhand! Where has Dominic Thiem gone! Five holds from Andujar and he’s won his first-ever match from two sets down! Andujar 4-6 5-7 6-3 6-4 1-0 Thiem
Ah, and Saba has just broken to lead 2-0 in set two. She may just have broken the back of Konjuh.
On Lenglen, Sabalenka, the women’s number three seed, has just taken a tight first set off Konjuh 6-4. I was watching Nishikori on my second screen but have just switched to this one so will have a look at how it’s going.
Elsewhere, Dimitrov is nearly there, 4-1 up on Giron in set three, while while Nishikori has won set three and now leads Giannessi 2-1.
Yeah, Andujar is nervous and quickly faces break-back point ... so carts an ace down the T! That is superb behaviour! Thiem then goes long with a return and Andujar has another set point! He’ll need to do it with a second serve too, and Thiem looks primed ... to cloud an inside-out forehand wide! We’ve go waselves a decider! Andujar 4-6 5-7 6-3 6-4 Thiem
How are your nerves, Pablo Andujar? When his first serve goes in he’s winning 60 percent of points and he finds one first up, but soon has to claw his way back to 30-all. Then Thiem sends a return long and it’s set point ... but Andujar, behind in the next rally, tries a lob, which Thiem punishes. Deuce it is....
Thiem rinses through a hold, forcing Andujar to serve for it. Hang on, mates! Andujar 4-6 5-7 6-3 5-4 Thiem
Andujar gets himself to 40-0 but then Thiem manages to get to within a point and tries a drop ... Andujar reads and takes control of the rally, then a shot later, a leaping backhand, flicked along the net, gives him 5-3!
Naomi Osaka fined £15,000 for not attending her post-match press conference
I wonder where we’ll go from here. The tournament organisers asked her to reconsider and tried to check on her well-being, but no conversation happened. The four majors have united to warn her that repeat violations might lead to further sanctions, including Grand Slam-suspensions.
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Thiem is back into this, yanking back a break then saving a break point before holding; he’s within a game of Andujar, and it feels like momentum is switching. It’s 4-3 in the fourth now, with Thiem leading by two sets to one.
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A quick once-over the other courts shows me that Nishikori is a break up on Gianessi, who levelled the match at 1-1 just a bit ago, whie Dimitrov leads Giron 6-2 6-4. I’d love to see old Grigzy do something, but at 30 his time to win a major has probably gone. In fairness, it must be pretty nauseating to still have the players you were meant to succeed winning stuff.
“Andujar is indeed playing well,” says Jacques Derek Charlwood, “but puffing his cheeks with every point. One wonders if as you get older ( he is 35 versus Thiem’s 24) you regulate your first serves to save energy.”
I’m sure you do lots to keep yourself fresh, but I’d wager that there’s nothing better for that than the game flowing with you - as it is now for Andujar.
Andujar, who looks not unlike Mikel Arteta, is really piecing Thiem up here, covering his angles and picking his drops. In this latest game, he reads a forehand to this backhand corner, skids after it and carts a winner cross-court! Eventually, we get to deuce and Andujar raises break point; Thiem really needs a first serve, can’t find one, and then from the backhand corner, looks down the line and slashes wide! It looks a lot like we’ll get a deciderhere, and the number four seed is in shtuck! Andujar 4-6 5-7 6-3 4-1 Thiem
Three games in row for Andujar, who’s seeing it very nicely right about now. He carts a forehand pass cross-court, and that’s 3-1 to him, Thiem by two sets to one.
“Dropping our Hs would give us Enman and Ewitt, Enin, Ingiss and Antuchova,” notes Andrew Benton. “Even with their Hs restored, they’re all azbeens. Are there no H’s playing at top table these days?”
I guess not, though I do laugh every time I hear someone call Hazza Kane or Maguire “Haitch.” I guess there’s this lad though.
On court 14, Gianessi has won a breaker to four, levelling his match with Nishikori at one set all; on court seven, Dimitrov took the first set against Giron and we’re 3-3 in the second.
So what’s going on on Chatrier?! Thiem swipes a forehand wide and Andujar, who’s playing really well now, is a break up in set four!
Elsewhere, Fucsovics is serving for the match against Simon and Dimitrov is a set up on Giron.
That was a really enjoyable match, and you’ve got to admire Kecmanovic’s role in it. It’s been a tricky few years for him, but he was a very good junior and at 21 still has time to grow.
Kecmanovic beats Evans [25] 1-6 6-3 6-3 6-4!
But now it’s over! Kecmanovic reads a second serve and punches back a winner, then Evans goes long on a desperate and high forehand volley! Kecmanovic plays Moutet or Djere next; Evans, meanwhile, is imropving but has now gone out in round 1 in three of the last four majors.
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Good Evans. Again, his serve is dicey and from in front, he finds himself facing match point at 30-40; a gigantic forehand elicits an error, then an ace takes advantage to give him advantage. Kecmanovic, though, plays a terrific point – in fairness, both players do – swapping forehands and gets before a drop-shot brings us back to deuce. This is great stuff.
Why have they changed the service marker on the telly scoreboard from a dot to a new paragraph mark?
Kecmanovic has tightened, and flings a forehand long to give Evans 30-all before netting a backhand! And when Evans finds a deep return, he goes long! That’s four straight points for the British number 1, and he’s still in this! Kecmanovic 1-6 6-3 6-3 5-4 Evans
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Kecmanovic will now serve for the match, a circumstance that did not look likely when he lost the first set 6-1.
Now then! Andujar struggles back and holds to take the third set! Thiem was a bit lax there, and as punishment he’ll have to charge about for a bit longer. Andujar 4-6 5-7 6-3 Thiem
Kecmanovic has only won nine matches so far this season, but he’s found his form now and a comfortable enough consolidation means that Evans will now serve to stay in the match at 2-5 in the fourth.
Now then. Andujar breaks Thiem to love and is now serving for the third set ... and is 0-30 down.
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It takes a while, but Kecmanovic wins his third game in a row and now needs only two more for the win. Evans had loads of chances to level the set but couldn’t strong two points together once he’d won three to come back from 0-40. Kecmanovic 1-6 6-3 6-3 4-2 Evans
Kvitova [11] beats Minnen (3)5-7 7-6(5) 6-1
She plays Vesnina or Govortsova next.
Superb from Evans, roaring back from 0-40 to win three straight points, the last of them an ace – his first of the set. He then hands Kecmanovic a chance by cracking into the net-cord, but the consequent pass is no good and we recline into a round of deuces. Brutal.
Credit to Andujar, he’s not going away. He leads 3-2 in set three while, back in the women’s competition, Kvitova has bolted and leads Minnen 4-0 in the decider.
Ach! Evans played his better stuff for a while but Kecmanovic is coming again, breaking back before speeding through a love hold! We’re back on serve in set four. Kecmanovic 1-6 6-3 6-3 3-2 Evans
As such, here’s a piece on the unique joy of Murray, and here he is in Joy of Six: cool sports stats.
Email! “I know it shouldn’t matter,” writes Simon McMahon, “but for me tennis just hasn’t been the same without Andy Murray. I know Evans, Edmund, Konta and Norrie are still carrying the flag for GB tennis, and it seems Dan is channeling his inner Andy today, but my wish is that we can see Andy himself win a few more matches at Grand Slams before retirement, maybe making the second week at Wimbledon with a signature Murray performance, battling back from two sets down, having to beat himself as much as his opponent, full of fist pumps, emotion, drama and of course some sublime shot-making. He’s earned the right to go out on his own terms I think. I don’t think we’ve ever taken him for granted, but it could be a long time before we see his like again. Scotland’s greatest ever sportsperson? I’d say he’s in the top one.”
I feel you – I can’t think of many individual sportsfolk I’ve loved as much as Murray, who is one of the most obviously top blokes I’ve never met. I can’t think of many Scots anywhere near him – Alan Wells is one, Law, Dalglish and Rose Reilly others. I’ve got a personal soft spot for Jojo Calderwood, but yeah, I’d have Muzz, for the martchplaying but also for the man.
Evans is breathing hard - it’s warm out there - as he works his arse off for the second break. He gets a chance too, but Kecmanovic finds a first serve-forehand combo that removes the opportunity, and following a further succession of deuces, closes out the game to get on the board in set three. Kecmanovic 1-6 6-3 6-3 0-2 Evans
On Lenglen, Kvitova has taken the breaker so she and Minnen – a Belgian qualifier – will play a decider. Minnen 7-6(3) (5)5-7 Kvitova
Evans shanks a return that gives Kecmanovic deuce and naturally abuses the court with some choice Anglo-Saxon; quite right too. He’s struggling to get free points on his serve here, but he’s fighting like Chelsea and Man City fans in Oporto. Eventually, it pays off too, a second serve out wide cleaned up with a ferocious forehand. This is a really fun match now. Kecmanovic 1-6 6-3 6-3 0-2 Evans
Elsewhere, Minnen leads Kvitova, the number 11 seed, 7-6; they’re playing a breaker in set two. Fucsovics, meanwhile, leads Simon 6-4 6-1 and Pella is sorting Galan 6-3 7-6(4).
Thiem closes out the second set, and now leads Andujar 6-4 7-5.
Evans changes from blue to green, which should sort things ... and, for now, it has! He glides a backhand return cross-court and when Kecmanovic’s riposte clips the net cord, he shovels a winner into the corner. If these two can hit a vein at the same time, the conclusion of this match could be great. Kecmanovic 1-6 6-3 6-3 0-1 Evans
Less surprising is what happens on Chatrier, Thiem turning it up to break to love. He’ll now serve for the set (again).
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This is superb from Kecmanovic! Just as Evans thinks he found himself again, he’s broken again, and that’s 2-1 to the Serb! Kecmanovic 1-6 6-3 6-3 Evans
Well who saw that coming? From 30-0 up, Thiem allows Andujar back into the game and it costs him a break! We’re back on serve in set two! Andujar 4-6 5-5 Thiem
Excellent from Evans, coming in behind a telling forehand to despatch a high backhand volley at the net; that gives him two break points, and a wild, swiped backhand keeps the set alive. Kecmanovic 1-6 6-3 5-3 Evans
Meanwhile, on Chatrier, Thiem is serving for 2-0; Andujar has never won a match from 0-2 down.
He gets there in the end! Kecmanovic is splattering Evans’ serve at the moment, and after change of ends, he’ll rely on his own to go 2-1 in front. Kecmanovic 1-6 6-3 5-2 Evans
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Thanks John. Evans and Kecmanovic are wrestling through a brutal game that Evans must win; the longer it goes, the more that is so. Kecmanovic has the latest of various advantages ... and Evans saves break point number seven with a large forehand and put-away.
And with that, it’s back to Daniel with Evans v Kecmanovic so finely poised.
It’s a tad windy in Paris, and Evans continues to put up a fight against Kecmanovic’s serve. He has a break point at deuce but crashes his shot into the net. Then he lands another with a smash. He can’t keep the ball in on the next one so back to deuce it goes. Then comes another, and Evans continues to chat to himself. Then comes a huge rally, and Evans slowly moves his opponent around the court to break back to 2-4. Now he must serve this one out.
Kecmanovic breaks straight back, unaffected by Evans’ mini-revival, he’s 4-1 on up on the Brit and looks assured of the third set.
Evans is still living, and he breaks back, charging from the back of the court to leather a winner. It’s still 1-3 in the third but he has hope. His problem is that he is having to do most of his playing from the very back of the court.
Going with serve between Thiem and Andujar on Philippe Chatrier. It’s a most even contest.
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There’s a Serbian contingent roaring on Kecmanovic, but nobody roaring on Dan Evans the plucky Brit. He’s still doing plenty of talking to himself. And more rude words. He’s down 3-0 and in deep trouble.
Kecmanovic serves out to get 2-0 up and now Evans is swearing at the umpire, complaining that people are being let into the court while he is serving. He used the f-word. Naughty boy, and he’s getting a spanking here.
Dan Evans throwing a wobbler? He is interrupted by a voice from outside the court as he goes to serve, catches the ball. “Astonishing, mate, astonishing,” he shouts at persons unknown. And Kecmanovic has a run on him, breaking in the very first game of the third set.
Some big names playing in tonight’s inaugural evening session.
Get excited, Day 2 marks the first-ever night session at #RolandGarros 👏 pic.twitter.com/lUULFzRvOS
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2021
Première victoire française 🇫🇷
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2021
Enzo Couacaud @lacouac passe au 2e tour de Roland-Garros pour la toute première fois, grâce à une victoire sur Egor Gerasimov 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-3 devant un public enchanté.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/4IXOBB0H8U
Thiem serves out, and wins the first set 6-4, walloping a forehand winner. Kecmanovic lands himself three set points with some excellent play, and eventually serves to love. 1-6 6-3 now, and Evans has trouble on his hands.
Kecmanovic, at 5-2 up, attempts to break Evans but the Englishman forces him to serve to level the sets. Evans double faults and leads 40-30, only to win the game with a great forehand.
Thiem has control of the first set against Andujar as he goes 5-3 up. His opponent seems flustered; his good play is going unrewarded. He holds the next one and lands his first ace in the process. Thiem will serve out the set.
Some resistance from Evans, real speed around the court as he tries to stop Kecmanovic breaking again, and he holds to take it back 2-4 in the second set. A Tim Henman-style punch of the air, but without the blowing on the fingers.
Some actualité.
Punching a ticket into the second-round 🎟️
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2021
🇪🇸 Carreno Busta def. Gombos 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
🇷🇴 Bogdan def. Cocciaretto 6-1, 6-3
🇦🇺 Tomljanovic def. Kozlova 6-2, 6-4
🇺🇸 Collins def. Wang 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/FMgwyM6DD3
Direction 2e tour ⏭
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2021
À son 14e Roland-Garros, @fabiofogna démarre en flèche avec une victoire sur le Français Grégoire Barrère 6-4, 6-1, 6-4.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/YfUg9QvH0O
It goes 4-1 to Kecmanovic with a good hold of serve. Evans needs to start picking things back up or he will be in trouble in the third set, too.
Hello there, here for the next hour. Andujar just saved six break points from Thiem, and it’s 2-3 to the Frenchman. Evans just got one back, so it’s 1-3 in the second set with Kecmanovic.
Right, I’m away for some fress. John Brewin with narrate you through the next little bit.
Kecmanovic is reading Evans now, chasing down his drops and generally dominating – this is boiling up nicely. Kecmanovic 1-6 3-0 Evans
Thiem is such a beautiful mover, and already Andujar is puffing out his cheeks in resignation. But 1-3 and break point down, he runs around a forehand to drive a winner down the line; this game has been going nearly six minutes now, the majority of it Andujar saving break points, and we’ve now been going 11 minutes. Andujar 1-3 Thiem
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Superb from Kecmanovic, who holds then reads an Evans drop for 0-30 before, on break point, swiping a backhand winner cross-court! Do we got ourselves a ball-game? Kecmanovic 1-6 2-0 Evans
Kecmanovic is making a game of the games now, but he’s still getting absolutely served; Evans, who beat Djokovic at Monte Carlo last month, is looking lovely and takes the first set in short order. Kecmanovic 1-6 Evans
Back on Chatrier, Andujar had a break-back point against Thiem but failed to convert; he’s on the baord, though, 2-1 down in set one.
Kecmanovic fights hard in the sixth game of the match and he’s in it now, a banging forehand down the line resolving a succession of deuces. Kecmanovic 1-5 Evans
On court seven, Roberto Bautista Agut – the number 11 seed – is underway. If he’d played in the 80s or 90s he might’ve won one of these in the way that Muster, Bruguera, Gomez, Moya and Kafelnikov all did. But here we are. He trials Vilella Martinez 4-3 on serve.
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Meanwhile, on Chatrier, a dominant first game from Thiem sees him break Andujar.
Evans has got into stride quickly here and looks to have Kecmanovic’s number. There’s not much pop on the Serb’s serve which is allowing yerman to climb right into points, and this first set is almost over. Kecmanovic 0-4 Evans
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Fognini has beaten Barrera 4,1 and 4. The number 27 seed plays Simon or, more likely, Fucsovics next. Those two tussle on Mathieu presently; Kovinivic has done for Burel 6-3 7-6(8) and must now contemplate Osaka.
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Anyhow, while I was busy wondering what my girlfriend wife would say if I publicly challenged her ability to have it, Evans was busy holding and breaking. Kecmanovic 0-2 Evans
Just last week, Thiem noted that living in a bubble has helped Evans, given he’s previously struggled with the demands of the professional athlete’s lifestyle; Evans was having none of it, retorting that he’d sorted himself well before the pandemic started. “I must be out partying a lot, yeah,” he said. “I’ve done all right outside of the bubble as well. I must have improved a lot inside it for him to say that. I travel with my girlfriend every week. It’s not like you can go out partying with your girlfriend every week. It’s not that I was on my own and single and going nuts when there weren’t bubbles. It’s a strange comment, isn’t it?”
Evans and Kecmanovic are knocking up....
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Next on Chatrier: the number four seed and defeated finalist in 2018 and 2019, Dominic Thiem, begins his next assault on the trophy. He meets Pablo Andujar.
A couple more results: in the men’s competition, Carreno Busta has rinsed Gombos 3,4, and 3, whole in the women’s, Tomljanovic has sorted Kozlova 2 and 4.
Osaka [2] beats Tig 6-4 6-4!
Osaka hasn’t played a lot lately but she looked pretty good today. I don’t think her footwork is good enough to win here – yet – but her ball-striking was on-point and the relative closeness of the match is down to how well Tig played. Osaka meets Bogdan next.
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Osaka hollers a come on as she makes 4-2 in the breaker – the ball makes such a lush thump off the middle of her forehand. An error from Tig quickly gives her 5-2 ... but consecutive unforced errors and we’re back on serve. Briefly. Here ceom two more match points....
Next on court six, we’ve got Dan Evans, the British number one, against Minomir Kecmanovic.
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Badosa [33] beats Davis 6-2 7-6(3)
She meets Burel or Kovinivic next; Kovinivic won the first set 6-3 and it’s 2-2 in the second.
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Tig is competing hard here, but with a point for a breaker clips over another second serve of questionable power and Osaka quickly punishes. She may well regret that ... but no! A forehand clattered down the line saves the match point that follows, and a fine kicker helps her raise advantage, ceded when an inside-out forehand drops marginally wide ... but what a lob she finds when in front the next time! Tig 4-6 6-6 Osaka
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Fognini has taken that second set against Barrere to lead 6-4 6-1 1-0 (with a break). On court six, Badosa and Davis are playing a breaker in a topsy-turvy second set; Badosa won the first.
Kalinina [Q] beats Kerber [26] 6-2 6-4!
But look at Kalinina! She reels off two points in short order and it turns out you can’t loz the first five games of a set and expect to win. She meets Collins or Wang next; Wang has just levelled the match at one set all.
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...and Kerber saves it with a glorious backhand slice drop-shot! Egalité!
Osaka is whacking it hard now, but Tig is just about sticking with her, while Kalinina finds a devastating forehand to give herself 30-0 against Kerber; she’s nearly there. Back to Chatrier, Tig misses a huge chance with a half-court volley that would’ve got her 15-30; seconds later, the game has gone and Osaka, 5-4 up in the second, needs just one more. Kerber, meanwhile, soon makes 30-all; Kalinina steps on the spot to try and shake her tightness, then serves a double. Eesh. She makes deuce though, then hits through the ball beautifully to raise match point...
Fognini is bolting; the number 27 seed came from behind to take the first set of Barrere, but now leads 4-1 in the second.
A monstrous forehand down the line breaks Kalinina to 15; it’s taken a while but Kerber is motoring. Still, the qualifier will have one more chance to eject her before we’re back on serve – but first, Kerber must hold. Kalinina 6-2 5-3 Kerber
Tig is hanging in there well, but Osaka holds for 3-2, while Kerber has won a second game and Kalinina will now serve for the match a second time. At change of ends, she puts a towel over her head to get into the correct frame of mind.
Pablo Carreno Busta, the number 12 seed and a clay-court specialist, has taken set two against Norbert Gombos; he now leads 6-3 6-4 0-1.
Kerber has won a game! Kalinina now leads 6-2 5-1.
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Some reading on Edberg.
Goodness me, Tig just dispensed the weakest second serve I’ve ever seen, short, skipping up off the clay, and duly marmalised by Osaka. In commentary, they reckon Sampras had the best second-serve in men’s history – shout from me for Edberg’s kicker – and Durie mentions Barty in the women’s game. Anyhow, Tig survives a break point to hold. Tig 4-6 2-2
It took a while, but Fognini has fought back to take the first set from Barrere, 6-4; Kalinina now leads Kerber – who’s won every major but this one – 6-2 4-0.
Tossing those opportunities has not not gone down well with Osaka, who powers through a break to love, seizing the first set and sealing it with a colossal forehand racing forward. Tig 4-6 Osaka
Updates from the women’s side: Kozlova 2-6 Tomljanovic, Cocciaretto 1-6 2-3 Bogdan, Collins 6-2 1-1 Wang
Have a look! Kalinina breaks Kerber in the first game of the second set and quickly consolidates, while a double fault helps Tig earn a break-back point; Osaka impatiently whips a forehand long, and we’re back on serve! Tig 4-5 Osaka
Tig saves three set points, forcing Osaka to serve for the first set, while Badosa has taken hers against Davis, 6-2. When they’re done on court six, Dan Evans will have a go; he plays the Serb, Miomir Kecmanović.
Updated
Kerber couldn’t do enough, and after a succession of deuces during which she saved a set point with a net cord, Kalinina comes through 6-2.
Carreno Busta, the number 12 seed, has rinsed through the first set against Gombos 6-3 and now trails 0-1 in the second, on serve; I’m not quite sure how they’ve managed 10 games so quickly, but they have. By way of comparison, Barrere leads Fognini 3-2, still with the break he took early doors.
Osaka isn’t a natural mover on clay but she’s hitting it very nicely indeed, especially with feet planted. She’s won 15 out of 16 on serve, and her second straight love-game leaves her close to the first set. Tig 2-5 Osaka
Yeah, time’s up. Kerber has roused herself to claw back a break. It might not save this set for her, but if she maintains her current level, she’ll be reet. Kalinina 5-2 Kerber
Out of the corner of my eye, I’m also watching Paula Badosa, the number 33 seed, playing Lauren Davis; Badosa is a Manhattan-born Spaniard and won the girls’ singles in 2015. She’s looking good out there, leading 4-2.
Elsewhere, Bogdan has taken the first set against Cocciaretto, 6-1; Fognini is a break down to Barrere; and Tomljanovic leads Kozlova 3-0.
It’s all going wrong for Kerber, who now trails Kalinina 5-0. Under an umbrella – what a lovely sight that is – she takes some deep breaths while having a serious word with herself.
Yeah, Osaka is grooving, greeting a decent first serve with a belter of a cross-court return to raise break point. But Tig yanks her in and Osaka stutter-slides in to botch a slice of her own ... but no matter. She’s piecing Tig up here, and a booming forehand nails her fourth advantage. Tig 0-2 Osaka
I’m also watching Angelique Kerber, who’s not a great clay artist and is 0-2 down to Anhelina Kalinina, the qualifer. Meanwhile, on Chatrier, Jo Durie discusses how brilliant the current standard of women’s tennis is, and she’s right. I suppose I might slightly disagree, she’ll be devo’d to learn, because there’s no dominant champion at the peak of their powers. Perhaps Osaka will be become that, but otherwise there are so many who are so good, and when you stick on a match you’ve not a clue what’s going to happen, and that’s a beautiful thing.
I’m really looking forward to seeing the improvements Osaka has made on clay, and she saves a break point in the opening game of the match. Tig 0-1 Osaka.
On Chatrier, Naomi Osaka will be underway in une minute. Here’s Tumaini Carayol on her big call.
Order of play
Well, on the show courts - there’s plenty else besides.
Chatrier
Tig v Osaka [2]
Andujar v Thiem [4]
Azarenka [15] v Kuznetsova
Tsitsipas [5] v Chardy
Lenglen
Fognini [27] v Barrere
Minnen [Q] v Kvitova [11]
Konjuh [Q] v Sabalneka [3]
Zverev [6] v Otte [Q]
Mathieu
Burel v Kovinivic
Fucsovics v Simon
Moutet v Djere
Dodin v Keys [23]
Preamble
It’s been an enervating, affirming winter slog, but we made it, and with the first ball tossed this morning, the summer of sport – the ridiculous summer of sport – is upon us. And you can be absolutely certain that we’ll take it.
Most importantly, each of the show courts will house up to 1000 fans a day for each of the first 10 days – and hopefully more thereafter. They, like the rest of us, will be wondering whether this, finally, is the year that Rafael Nadal finally runs out of road; Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev will be hoping so, but it will only be a hope.
Meanwhile and as has become the fashion – sorry, le mode – no one has a clue what’ll happen in the women’s side. Iga Swiatek is the defending champion and if she hits a vein she’ll be hard to stop, but there are just so many others who might do likewise that anyone who thinks they know is lying. I cannot wait.
Play: 11pm local, 10am BST
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