On paper, this first day promised to be a little hollow, without French or foreign headliner or big shock.
It has actually reserved its share of surprises and freshness under a sun at times overwhelming and in a jovial atmosphere for this return of the public in a major sporting event.
From the elimination of double finalist Dominic Thiem to the prestigious victory of Enzo Couacaud, here is what to remember from this Sunday at Roland Garros.
Abandonment
Three match points, then everything goes to hell ... The Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov gave up in the fourth set against the American Marcos Giron, after having dominated his subject for a long time (2-6, 4-6, 7-5, 3- 0, ab.).
A sharp pain in his lower back brought him to a halt as he prepared to serve for the game and led 5-1 in the third set.
Nine games lost later, the No.16 seed has resolved to leave the No.7 court prematurely.
🎾 Crazy scenario on court n ° 7!
After having had 3 match points at 6-2 / 6-4 / 5-1, Dimitrov suffered an injury which prevented him from finishing the game.
The Bulgarian was finally forced to retire at #RolandGarros.
🔥 Follow all the matches: https://t.co/2r5Z1AivZz pic.twitter.com/fcd9BMJxQA
- France tv sport (@francetvsport) May 30, 2021
The surprise
He protested last year against his absence from the guest list.
Even accusing the Federation of "cronyism".
Enzo Couacaud, 26 years old and 177th in the world, took his revenge this Sunday noon.
The Franco-Mauritian did not "steal" his wild card by disposing of Egor Gerasimov on a crowded No. 9 court (7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 6-3).
He will face the toughest Spaniard Pablo Carreño in the next round.
🎾 🇫🇷 The surprising Enzo Couacaud wins the first match of his career at Roland Garros and qualifies for the second round by dominating the Belarusian Egor Gerasimov 🇧🇾 (7-6, 6-4, 6-3)
🔥 Follow all matches: https://t.co/2r5Z1AivZz pic.twitter.com/zKi58SLP81
- France tv sport (@francetvsport) May 30, 2021
Point
Dominic Thiem was kicked out, without anyone really believing it, by the Spaniard Pablo AndĂşjar.
In the grip of blows of depression, the Austrian will not remember much of his match, except perhaps this brilliant blow to the back, which allowed him to break free at the start of the fifth set.
Alas, he will never come back to this part.
After leading two sets to zero without shining, the double Austrian finalist gradually sank against the increasingly constant and hard-hitting play of AndĂşjar.
🎾 Dominic Thiem's ​​stroke of genius 🇦🇹 who hits the ball behind his back.
Dumbfounded, Pablo Andujar 🇪🇸 concedes the point in the process!
What a start to the fifth round!
â–¶ Follow the match live: https://t.co/OePL4v27vU
🔥All matches: https://t.co/2r5Z1AivZz pic.twitter.com/0RtVKPWSeu
- France tv sport (@francetvsport) May 30, 2021
Disappointment
Clara Burel had climbed to the third round of the 2020 edition, for her very first participation in the Parisian Grand Slam.
The 20-year-old (146th) this time bowed from the start, facing Montenegrin Danka Kovinic (62nd) (6-3, 7-6 (10/8)) in just over two hours.
We wish another fate for the other face of the previous tournament, Hugo Gaston, who will enter the competition on Tuesday against Richard Gasquet.
THE MAIN RESULTS OF THE FIRST DAY
Men's singles (1st round):
Couacaud (FRA)
beats Gerasimov (BLR) (7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 6-3)
AndĂşjar (ESP) beats Thiem (AUT) (4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4)
Fognini (ITA) beats
Barrère (FRA)
(6-4, 6-1, 6-4)
Fucsovics (HUN) beats
Simon (FRA)
(6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5))
Ladies' singles (1st round):
Naomi Osaka (JPN) def. Patricia Tig (ROM) (6-4, 7-6 (7/4))
Kovinic (MNE) def.
Burel (FRA)
(6-3, 7-6 (10/8))
Rybakina (KAZ / N.21) beats
Jacquemot (FRA)
(6-4, 6-1)