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 but Diallo - struggling to keep up as his fitness issues deepened - then signalled his withdrawal.
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.
