The Russian fell apart in the stifling heat as Walton surged back from 4-2 down in the fifth set to win in unforgettable fashion. It was the seventh time in 10 French Open appearances that the former world number one has fallen in the first round. It was Walton’s first win over a top 10 opponent. Medvedev gave up in the final service game, handing Walton the victory with a break of serve where he failed to win a point. Playing on his least favourite
surface, Medvedev was never comfortable on the court and began speaking under his breath towards his camp early in the match. In the first set, Medvedev was heard in an icy exchange with his wife Daria. As the former US Open champ was complaining, Daria responded saying: “We’re all hot. We’re all suffering. Behave yourself.” He responded: “When I start finding the court, I’ll start to behave.” Walton claimed the first set moments later before winning 6-2 1-6 6-1 1-6 6-4 in 3hr 28min. Medvedev
was composed when speaking to reporters after the match. “I know that I am in good shape and I can play well in Roland Garros. I can,” he said. “It’s just tougher for me, and first rounds are usually tougher for me, but I will always come here.” Walton, 27, held his nerve when sensing his opponent was about to crack. He said a previous win over Medvedev in the United States gave him a boost before he even walked onto the court. “It’s huge.
Beating him in Cincinnati definitely gave me the belief today that I knew I could do it. I believed and (I’m) just really happy with my performance,” he said. “I felt he was playing pretty well. (Medvedev) was making a lot of first serves and he was liking my ball, and then I knew I just had to hang tough. “I thought the 3-1 game, I faced some break points there and if I (went) down 4-1 double break, it’s going to be pretty tough
from there. “Getting that hold definitely just keeping the score close. I knew if I just kept fighting, maybe I would get a chance and I’m glad I did.” It was a good day for the Aussie men’s contingent in Paris with Alex de Minaur also gifted a walkover into the third round. Aussie Alexei Popyrin was knocked out by American Zachary Svajda 6-3, 3-6, 6-7, 5-7. Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 2021 runner-up, ensured he will at least equal his best major performance since Roland
Garros two years ago. He showed glimpses of the shot-making that once took him into the world’s top three in a match cut short by his opponent Alexandre Muller’s retirement through injury. The 27-year-old Greek has plummeted to 79 in the world rankings but could reach the last 32 for the first time in seven Grand Slam appearances when he plays Italian Matteo Arnaldi in the second round. French 17-year-old Moise Kouame won his first match at his home major; an impressive 7-6 (7/4), 6-2,
6-1 victory over 2014US Open winner Marin Cilic of Croatia. Sabalenka thrives in French Open heat Aryna Sabalenka began her French Open campaign with a comfortable win. The Belarusian top seed hurried through a 6-4, 6-2 win against Spanish world number 50 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro as temperatures continued to soar through the first week of the tournament. The only real blip for Sabalenka as she returned to winning ways on clay after a surprise early exit from the Italian Open was her failure to serve
out the match on Court Philippe Chatrier. But the four-time major winner broke in the next game to book her spot in the second round after just 75 minutes on court. “I’m super happy to be through. I feel like it was a tricky first-round opponent,” Sabalenka said. “I’d say that for me always not easy, the first rounds. And then, as I get further in the tournament, as I get more comfortable, my level becomes better.” Sabalenka will face France’s Elsa Jacquemot in the
round of 64. Following a wet and cold Italian Open earlier in May and similar conditions during the practice week at Roland Garros, the big-hitting 28-year-old said the scorching conditions played somewhat in her favour. “I’d say that it was a bit warm,” she joked. “Especially compared to the first days when I first got here, it was like 14C, like, freezing. “Now it’s boiling hot and balls are flying, everything is much faster. But physically I feel strong, so I feel like it can
benefit me.” Women’s defending champion Coco Gauff made short work of fellow American Taylor Townsend, kicking off her tournament with a clinical 6-4, 6-0 performance. The fourth seed joked the heat was “nothing” as she grew up in Florida, but added: “Honestly I felt more bad for the fans. Dang you’re watching in the heat and I hoped no one passed out. So I’m glad I finished quickly.” Gauff will next meet Egyptian qualifier Mayar Sherif.
Adam Walton, Daniil Medvedev, Roland Garros, French Open, Walton upset, Medvedev first round loss, Daria Medvedev, Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Moise Kouame, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Elsa Jacquemot, Mayar Sherif