By Erik Gudris | Monday, May 31, 2021
Since Andre Agassi won Roland-Garros back in 1999, an American man has yet to lift the men’s singles title trophy in Paris. Yet several Americans are hopeful they will find themselves, at least in the second week, of the second major of the year.
Three U.S. players are seeded this year in Paris, and they all found success in their opening rounds on Tuesday.
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Taylor Fritz, the highest-seeded American man at No. 30, got past Portugal’s Joao Sousa.
Fritz didn’t face a break point all match until he served for it up 5-3 in the third set. He managed to break back to close out the win 6-4, 6-2, 7-5. Fritz could potentially face No. 7 seeded Roger Federer in the third round.
No. 31 seed John Isner managed to get past his friend and fellow Davis Cup teammate Sam Querrey 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4.
Reilly Opelka, a surprise semifinalist in Rome a few weeks ago, is tipped by some to be a dark horse contender to make a deep run in Paris. The No. 32 seed blasted 10 aces on his way to 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over Andrej Martin.
This was Opelka’s first main draw win at Roland-Garros and he could possibly face No. 2 seed Daniil Medvedev in the third round.
Steve Johnson earned a five set win from two sets down against fellow American France Tiafoe 6-7(5) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1. Later, he took time to talk about talking to the media after the death of his father a few years ago that helped him deal with that part of this life.
Tommy Paul was forced into extra games late in the deciding set before he closed out the 6-2, 6-4, 4-6 4-6,10-8 victory over Chris O’ Connell.
There were high hopes for 20-year-old Sebastian Korda after he claimed his maiden ATP title in Parma a few days ago. Yet the young American appeared to deal with physical issues in his first round match. He ended up losing in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to Pedro Martinez.
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