James Duckworth has become the first Australian to advance at this year's French Open after his opponent Gabriel Diallo pulled out injured in the second set of their opening-day encounter.
The 82nd-ranked Duckworth took the first set 6-3 against his 49th-ranked rival in 43 minutes at Roland Garros on Sunday.
Duckworth then raced out to a 4-1 lead in the second set, but Diallo was struggling to keep up as his fitness issues deepened.
The Canadian had been battling lower back problems leading into the tournament and had reportedly cut a finger on a glass bottle just days before this first-round match.
Duckworth will now meet 29th-ranked Spanish young gun Rafael Jodar or American Aleksandar Kovacevic, who's ranked No.67.
The 34-year-old Duckworth and 24-year-old Diallo each held their serve early in the first set before Duckworth secured the first break - to 15 - to go up 4-2, after Diallo put a backhand into the net under pressure.
