In Melbourne, the sky is as blue as ever. Before a mouth-watering (and a little worrying) Alcaraz-Gasquet to close the third day's programme, four of the five French players competing on the Australian courts raised their arms high at the end of the match. Only Grégoire Barrère, badly beaten by world No. 14 Tommy Paul (6-2, 6-3, 6-3), remained on the dock.
The star: Iga Swiatek
In the early rounds of big tournaments, Iga Swiatek is often a bicycle rider. This time, the Polish world No. 1 had to pedal a little harder to dismiss Sofia Kenin (7-6 (2), 6-2). The American, ranked 41st in the world and winner in Melbourne in 2020, even served to win the first set.
📊 Iga Swiatek in first week of Grand Slam since Roland Garros 2020:
✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅❌✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅
😳 39 wins, 1 loss
😤, 78 sets won, 5 sets conceded
🤯 2.5 games conceded on average per set pic.twitter.com/h83TBvG1lB
— Game, Set & Math (@JeuSetMaths) January 16, 2024
"It wasn't easy to find my rhythm at the beginning, I struggled a little bit, I'm happy that I got through it and raised my level in the second set," said Swiatek, who has never been better than a semi-final in Melbourne.
In the second round, the three-time Roland-Garros winner will face another American, Danielle Collins, who ended the hopes of German Angelique Kerber, back from maternity (2-6, 2-3, 6-6).
The Frenchman: Arthur Fils
For his first participation in the Australian Open, Arthur Fils did not miss the event. The young Ile-de-France native, world No. 34, struggled for two sets against the thirty-year-old Czech Vesely, a former Top 40 player who has dropped to around 300th place.
But Pribram's powerful left-hander didn't have enough range to withstand the local weather. After winning the 1st set, Vesely was the victim of a big blow at the end of the 2nd set when Fils led 5-4 (4-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3). Curtain...
A FIRST VICTORY IN MELBOURNE 🔥
For his first participation in the Australian Open, Arthur Fils made a successful debut in the competition.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/VJsqcDQfi3
— FFT (@FFTennis) January 16, 2024
"I didn't feel very good on the field, I was under a little bit of pressure and he was serving really well," said Fils. I felt better and better and I felt that the longer the match lasted, the more it went my way. He has very good tennis but I feel that I am quite sharp physically and that is one of my strengths. »
In the 2nd round, Sébastien Grosjean's protégé will meet the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor whom he beat in 5 sets at the last US Open for his first Major victory.
The sentence: "I hadn't been back for four years. Today's victory makes me love Australia and Melbourne even more."
Montpellier's Arthur Cazaux, 21 years old and ranked 122nd in the ATP rankings, honoured the invitation awarded by the organisers under a reciprocal agreement with the FFT. On court 17, the 2020 junior finalist (against his compatriot Mayot) celebrated his first Grand Slam victory against Serbia's Djere (No. 33).
Physically stronger than his opponent, Stéphane Huet's pupil lasted 3 hours and 30 minutes to win in five sets (6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 3-6, 6-2). "I stayed calm and I think that's what made the difference," he said.
A moment he'll never forget 🙌 @ArthurCazaux defeats Djere 6-2 6-7(3) 6-2 3-6 6-2 for his FIRST Grand Slam win!#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/IpzXgWbePf
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2024
This is only the second victory for the 21-year-old from Hérault on the main tour, more than two-and-a-half years after winning a match in Geneva. In the meantime, the Habs have been plagued by injuries.
The step will be a little higher in the second round with Denmark's Holger Rune (No. 8), who defeated Japan's Nishioka in four sets (6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4).
The number: 2
The two French players competing on Tuesday both won. Clara Burel easily defeated Serbia's Krunic (6-4, 6-1) and Océane Dodin created a surprise by dominating China's Zhu, No. 32 in the WTA rankings (6-4, 6-3).
🇫🇷👏 Cocorico: Océane Dodin is back to winning ways in Melbourne seven years later, and against the 32nd player in the world please! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/RjQ4IOMN7h
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) January 16, 2024
The 27-year-old and ranked 95th ranked in the North of France had not beaten a top seed in a Grand Slam since 2015. Alternating as usual between big serves, breeze blocks and unforced errors, the Lille native was able to overcome a pain in her thigh.
In the next round, she will face No. 59 Trevisan of Italy for a chance to win back-to-back Grand Slam matches for the first time in her career.
Image: Sumit Nagal puts India in the spotlight
India's Sumit Nagal continues his great southern adventure. Coming out of the qualifiers after three difficult matches, the world No. 137 dominated the whimsical Alexander Bublik (seeded No. 31) in three short sets (6-4, 6-2, 7-6).
The first Indian man in 3️⃣ ⃣5️years to beat a seed at a Grand Slam 🇮🇳 @nagalsumit • #AusOpen • #AO2024 • @Kia_Worldwide • #Kia • #MakeYourMove pic.twitter.com/SY55Ip4JaG
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2024
At the age of 26, Sumit Nagal took his first victory in Melbourne. Above all, it was the first success of an Indian over a top seed in a Grand Slam since... 35 years!