Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading

TEN:Duckworth through to second round at French Open

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 at Roland-Garros.

The 82nd-ranked Duckworth took the first set 6-3 against his 49th-ranked rival in 43 minutes amid soaring temperatures in Paris 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.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.