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Seyboth Wild in Gustavo Kuerten mode
Let's face it, we gave cheap skin to Thiago Seyboth Wild who rubbed shoulders with Daniil Medvedev on court Philippe Chatrier. The Brazilian literally disgusted the Russian, certainly not on a big day, to offer the Parisian public the first big sensation of the 2023 edition after 4h20 of play (7-6, 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4). "I've watched Daniil for a big part of my career. I've always dreamed of playing against this type of player, on this type of court. My dream has come true," said the 172nd player in the world who will face Quentin Halys or Guido Pella.
Read alsoHarry Potter, Covid-19, Ruud... what you need to know about Seyboth Wild, Medvedev's surprising killer
Zverev, the winning return
A year ago, he upset Rafael Nadal in the semifinals before ending in tears. On crutches. Mowed down after a slip ended in nightmare, his right ankle remaining blocked. Forced to retire in the tie-break of the 2nd set after pocketing the 1st set 7-6. Back in Paris, the German (No. 22; 17-14 losses in 2023) eliminated South African Lloyd Harris 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-0), 6-1). "It's very nice to be back. After last year, it's a tournament that I really ticked off in my calendar, I really wanted to play here, do well. The way the tournament ended for me last year was very disappointing, I enjoy playing in front of a full stadium even more, I had a lot of fun," said the German who will meet Slovakia's Alex Molcan (86th).
Diane Parry wins No. 26 seed
Ray of sunshine among the French last year by reaching the third round, Diane Parry launched her fortnight perfectly by dismissing in two sets the Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina in two sets (6-2, 6-3). The French (79th player in the world) with the magnificent backhand has one hand and who had taken out in 2022 the number 2 seed Krejcikova regaled the public of the Simonne-Mathieu court. In the next round, she will face 16-year-old Russian prodigy Mirra Andreeva.
Read alsoRoland-Garros 2023: complicated start for Swiatek, which then unfolds
Flops
Roland-Garros press release on the Djokovic affair
The Paris tournament waited until Tuesday afternoon to issue a statement regarding the case of Novak Djokovic's political message and a possible sanction since the Serb violated the charter prohibiting players from passing political or religious messages. A short text... To say nothing or almost nothing with no clear position: "The debates that cross the international news are sometimes invited on the sidelines of the tournament, it's understandable. We regularly discuss this subject within the Grand Slam Board, which brings together the four Grand Slam tournaments. The rules that apply are common to all four tournaments, and the umpire, together with the Grand Slam supervisors, ensure that they are respected. Messages are passed on to the teams of the players concerned in this regard.
»Read alsoRoland-Garros 2023: the enigmatic press release of the tournament on the Djokovic controversy
Gaston, the false rebound
A childish boil and a left leg of velvet distilling the cushioning like sweets had illuminated the autumn edition of Roland-Garros in 2020. A memory crumpled by a reality deprived of magic. The Toulousain, beaten 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 could not do anything against the Slovakian Alex Molcan. A disappointment in a complicated period, he who was fined 144,000 euros (finally reduced to 72,000 euros) for "unsportsmanlike conduct" (a second ball dropped on the court) during his second round match at the Masters 1000 in Madrid against Croatian Born Coric. "It was a gesture of frustration and not cheating," he defended. At 22, the 109th world who now trains with Younès El Aynaoui hopes to regain his momentum: "These are painful moments because we always want to play well at Roland-Garros, but I will come back next year.
»Read alsoRoland-Garros 2023: "I am not a cheater": Gaston returns to his fine in Madrid
Medvedev, the persistent earthsickness
In the absence of Rafael Nadal, taking advantage of the place of world No. 2 and a place in a lower table clearer than the top dominated by Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev on the momentum of a title in Rome that seemed to have broken the lock of his allergy to clay was a very solid outsider. He was unable to dismiss the unknown Thiago Seyboth Wild (23; 172nd in the world). The Brazilian, winner of the 2018 US Open juniors, ejected him from the tournament. Medvedev, the cursed of Roland-Garros records a 4th elimination in the 1st round in 7 participations which looks very much like a great missed opportunity. And a confirmed aversion to the surface: "I don't know if people like to eat dirt, have dirt in their bags, shoes, white socks and they have to put them in the trash at the end of the season on land. Maybe some like it. I'm glad I'm done...
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