While most Americans were barbecuing, boating or getting rained in this Memorial Day weekend, American pro tennis players began their first round of play at Roland Garros in front of a roaring French crowd. Most notably, young stars Sloane Stephens and Steve Johnson made it safely through to the second round, while veteran Venus Williams (15) was sent home. We’ve got all the French Open news you need to know coming out of the long weekend.
More blue than red and white
After a glorious winning streak at the 2015 Australian Open, Venus Williams crashed out in round one of Roland Garros, losing to fellow American Sloane Stephens 7-6(5), 6-1. After the match, a defeated Williams refused to speak to the media, but issued a statement saying that Stephens “just played better than me today.” On the other side of the net, Stephens became the first American since Lindsay Davenport in 2000 to beat both Williams sisters in Grand Slam play.
Besides Williams, other Americans who lost in first-round action include Sam Querrey, Donald Young, Alison Riske, Madison Brengle and top junior player Francis Tiafoe, who made his main draw debut. On the bright side, California native Steve Johnson won the first five-set match of the tournament, defeating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (26), and top American male John Isner (19) pulled off a three-set victory over Andreas Seppi. Yet to come: Serena Williams (1), Madison Keys (16) and Jack Sock. Expect victories from Williams and Keys and trouble for Sock who plays Grigor Dimitrov (10).
Nice to see you again
French Open favorites shined in the first round as defending champions Rafael Nadal (6) and Maria Sharapova (2) defeated their opponents soundly. We also saw the return of Marin Cilic (9), who skipped the Aussie Open this year due to injury. Cilic defeated Robin Haase in three sets, while top seeds Andy Murray (3) and Roger Federer (2) swept their first round matches as well. In the women’s draw, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki dominated their opponents while Petra Kvitova (4) and Ana Ivanovic (7), fought for their lives, each coming away victorious after three-set battles. Still to come: Novak Djokovic (1), who will play Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen in the first round.
