The ongoing French Open in Paris has already made its mark in the history books with an extraordinary first round in the men’s singles category. The event, held at Roland-Garros, witnessed a staggering 21 five-set matches, setting a new record for the most five-set matches in the first round of a single Grand Slam tournament in the Open Era, surpassing the previous record set in 1992.
Data from Opta revealed this remarkable feat, highlighting the intense competition and fierce battles on the clay courts of Roland-Garros. The fans have been treated to an exceptional display of skill, endurance, and determination from the players, making this edition of the French Open truly unforgettable.
One of the notable outcomes of the first round was the unexpected elimination of world number two, Daniil Medvedev. The Russian star suffered a shocking defeat in five sets against the 172nd-ranked Thiago Seyboth Wild of Brazil. Despite Medvedev’s recent clay court success with his first-ever clay court title at the Italian Open, he couldn’t maintain his momentum in Paris. Seyboth Wild, who entered the main draw through the qualifiers and had never previously won a Grand Slam match, displayed exceptional resilience and emerged victorious with a scoreline of 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (6/8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Reflecting on his historic win, the 23-year-old Brazilian expressed his delight, stating, “It’s a dream come true to beat these kinds of players on this court.” Despite struggling with cramps during the second set, Seyboth Wild pushed through and showcased his best tennis to secure the stunning upset.
As the French Open progresses, tennis enthusiasts around the world eagerly anticipate the upcoming matches. The Order of Play for Wednesday, May 31, reveals an exciting lineup of singles matches on the prominent courts. Court Philippe Chatrier will witness intense clashes between Camila Giorgi and Jessica Pegula, Caroline Garcia and Anna Blinkova, Carlos Alcaraz and Taro Daniel, and Novak Djokovic and Marton Fucsovics. Meanwhile, Court Suzanne Lenglen will feature matches such as Roberto Carballes Baena against Stefanos Tsitsipas, Marketa Vondrousova against Daria Kasatkina, Iryna Shymanovich against Aryna Sabalenka, and Lucas Pouille against Cameron Norrie. Court Simonne Mathieu will host thrilling encounters between Storm Hunter and Elina Svitolina, Stan Wawrinka and Thanasi Kokkinakis, and Corentin Moutet and Andrey Rublev.
As the tournament progresses, tennis fans can expect more exhilarating matches, surprising upsets, and exceptional displays of talent from both established stars and rising contenders. The French Open continues to captivate the global audience with its rich history, prestigious venue, and unrivaled competitive spirit.