French Open: Félix Auger-Aliassime returns from behind to beat Juan Varillas, Garbiñe Muguruza faces exit in first round
After Ons Jabeur’s shock loss to Magda Linnete, world number 10 Garbiñe Muguruza faced defeat in the first round of the ongoing French Open at Roland Garros. On Sunday, May 22, Kaia Kanepi of Estonia defeated the former Wimbledon and French Open champion 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Kanepi looks like she’s come into her shell in the first episode, but she rose like a phoenix from the ashes to get the better of Muguruza in a tough competition at Court Simonne-Mathieu. Kanepi was at her peak in serve as she delivered seven aces. Muguruza and Kanepi broke each other three times, but Kanepi overtook her.
FELIX CREATE A GOODbye IMMEDIATELY
In the men’s singles, Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime showed nerves of steel against Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru at the Phillippe-Chatrier on Sunday.
The 21-year-old world No. 9 has found herself in all kinds of conflicts after losing the first two sets without much fighting effort. But from the 3rd set onwards, he gave his full experience and didn’t give the opponent much space.
Finally, after fighting hard for five sets, Felix advanced to the second round after beating Varillas 2-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3. In another men’s singles match, 37-year-old John Isner beat Quentin Halys of France at Court Suzanne Lenglen 7.6 (7-3), 4.6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 ( 8-6 ).
It is a game of trump card between two hands where both players fight for tit for tat. Even with Isner hitting 27 aces, Halys wasn’t much worse with 22. Three of the four sets were tied, showing how the game ended.
But luck was not on Halys’ side when he lost all 3 rounds. It goes without saying that Isner, also a former world No. 8, needs to try his best as he prepares to face stronger opponents.
