Photo Source: TTV
Paris – Arthur Rinderknech attempted to become the first French man to ever defeat a reigning No.1 at Roland-Garros on Monday night. After falling 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 to Jannik Sinner, he’ll pass the baton to Richard Gasquet, who will face the Italian in round two.
Rinderknech had plenty of fun in the Court Philippe-Chatrier night session on Monday, and even built a 4-0 lead in the third set, as he played some brilliant tennis and revved up the packed house, which was desperate to get more value out of their ticket. But Sinner had the last laugh as he closed out his 15th consecutive Grand Slam win.
No single French man will be given a puncher’s chance against Sinner in Paris, but they may get him with a tag team. If Sinner ends the career of 38-year-old Gasquet in the second round, he could face top-ranked Frenchman Arthur Fils on the round of 16.
So far Sinner looks unflappable, even if he is no longer the favored son like he was at Rome two weeks ago. He converted seven of eight break chances and won seven of the final eight games to get through his first test in Paris.
An Italian man has not won in Paris since Adriana Pannata won in 1976.
Sinner improves to 13-1 on the season and 17-5 lifetime at Roland-Garros. His only loss of the year came in the Rome final two weeks ago.