Rain of Argentines in Roland Garros qualifying: bumps, comebacks and illusion

Although there were still six days before Roland Garros ’main draws were launched, the little yellow ball began to bounce from one side to the other on the clay court of the venue of the Bois de Boulogne. The thing is On Monday began the classification action of the second Grand Slam of the year, with the presentation of five Argentines. Four have won their matches and are still on the run to find a place in the main competition of one of the most important racket tournaments in the world.

For Santiago Rodriguez Tavernthe 4-6, 6-2 and 6-3 wins against the Slovakian Philip Horansky, 196th in ATP, is very special. Because it marked the full debut of the 22-year-old from Buenos Aires, who is located in 203rd place in the ranking, in a tournament of this category.

In addition, Rodríguez Taverna traveled alone to Paris —without a coach or companions — and, according to journalist Marcos Zugasti on Twitter, he arranged to train before his first match against the Brazilian. Matheus Pucinelli. However, due to a mix, Pucinelli warmed up earlier than another player and the Argentine had to jump on the field without rallying first. But he still got a good win.

His next rival was the Kazakh Timofey Skaton (191st), beating American Mitchell Krueger (145th) by a clear 6-1 and 6-0.

Thiago Tirante a win was recorded against a special rival, the French Pierre Hughes Herbert, 168th in the singles ranking, but number seven in the world in doubles. The Frenchman, who last year won the couple’s title in Paris included Nicholas Mahut, was expected to receive a wild card to play the individual tournament this season, but he was not invited by the organization and had to sign up in the preliminary phase. But he collided in his debut with the player from La Plata, 191st, who beat him 6-4, 1-6 and 6-2.

Juan Ignacio Londero, 141st in the world, was another of the Argentines who won his first round match on Monday. Cordovan defeated the Kazakhs by a double 6-4 Dmitry Popko (180 °) and now it will collide with Switzerland Dominic Stricker (177 °).

Besides, Facundo Mena (167th) defeated Czech 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Dalibor Svrcina (201st) and the Croatian will meet in the second round Borna Gojo (222 °).

The only light blue and white representative who could not advance was Nicolás Kicker, who returned to the Roland Garros courts four years after learning, upon entering the 2018 edition, that he had been suspended for match-fixing and no longer can play a tournament. The man born in Merlo 29 years ago, now 206th in the world, fell 6-4, 6-7 (5-7) and 7-5 against the Portuguese Gastao Elias (157 °).

On Sunday, too, he fulfilled a dream because he had the opportunity to play ball on a field of the legendary club with his nine -year -old son Bautista.

This Tuesday, it’s the debut turn for another seven Argentines. Juan Manuel Cerundolo (132 °) was one of the first jumps on the scene. The porteño will face the local in the second shift (around 7 o’clock in our country) Luca Van Assche181st and guest of the organization.

Also in the second shift will be displayed Marco Trungellitti (182 °), who will play another Frenchman, Antoine Escoffier (214th), and Paula Ormaechea (148th and the only Argentine in the women’s qualifier), who will face Canadian Rebecca Marino (116 °).

About 8 o’clock, Pedro Cachin (152 °) will face the Indian Sumit Nagal (348 °) at Camilo Ugo Carabelli (154 °), Japanese Yūichi Sugita (265 °). And around 10 o’clock Renzo Olivo (176 °) will collide with the British Liam Broady (142 °) at John Paul Ficovich (181 °), with Swedish Elijah Ymer (129 °).