2020 Roland Garros: Garbine Muguruza passes first test; Angelique Kerber upset

Garbine Muguruza reached the second round of 2020 Roland Garros on Monday. The Spanish 11th seed, however, needed three sets to beat an inspired Tamara Zidansek. Finally, a minute past the three-hour-mark, Muguruza clinched a 7-5, 4-6, 8-6 win over the Slovenian.

Speaking after the match, the 2016 French Open champion said, “I think just a little bit of everything. Probably staying calm. I know she (Zidansek) was playing amazing tennis since the first set, so I just knew that I just have to wait for my opportunities. So, I was just trying to stay calm until I saw the chance, and then I went for it.”

In the second round, the world no. 17 will take on Kristyna Pliskova. The Czech had an easy opening round against Viktoria Kuzmova of Slovakia. Pliskova won 6-1, 6-2 in 56 minutes.

Zidansek’s compatriot Polona Hercog did not suffer any mishaps and proceeded on to the next round. Hercog beat French wildcard Diane Parry 6-4, 6-2 in 88 minutes. The Slovenian will play Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the round-of-64. Fernandez upset the Polish 31st seed Magda Linette 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 in two hours and 10 minutes.  

Romanian Patricia Maria Tig beat Switzerland’s Stefanie Voegele in their round-of-128 clash. Tig won 7-5, 7-5 in an hour and 58 minutes. She will next play Christina McHale who had earlier upset the 22nd seed Karolina Muchova.

Mexican qualifier Renata Zarazua became the first woman from her country to win a main draw match at a Major. The 22-year-old who is ranked 178th in the world defeated wildcard Elsa Jacquemot of France 6-1, 6-2 in 64 minutes.

Post-match, sharing her jubilation, Zarazua said, “It means a lot. I think it’s not only a win. I think it means more than that. I’m living a dream here in Paris and I just want to enjoy every match and every opportunity from being here this week.”

The last Mexican woman to win a match at a Major – in the main draw – was Angelica Gavaldon. Gavaldon defeated Israel’s Tzipora Obziler in the first round of the 2000 Australian Open.

Zarazua will play third seed Elina Svitolina for a place in the round-of-32.

2020 Roland Garros: Angelique Kerber, Madison Keys offer another day of upsets

Madison Keys and Angelique Kerber were among the higher-ranked seeds who were upset in the latter session on Monday. Shuai Zhang of China upset the 12th-seeded American 6-3, 7-6(2) in an hour and 33 minutes. Zhang will play France’s Alize Cornet in the second round. Cornet came through in the French derby against wildcard recipient Chloe Paquet in their opener 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 29 minutes.

Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan ousted the 18th seed Kerber in their first-round clash. The 19-year-old, for whom this was the first win at the tournament, came through in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in 67 minutes. She will play French wildcard Clara Burel in the second round. Burel overcame Dutch player Arantxa Rus in their round-of-128 meeting 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3 three minutes shy of three hours.

The last player to advance to the second round of 2020 Roland Garros on Monday was Su-Wei Hsieh. Hsieh won against Austrian qualifier Barbara Haas 6-3, 7-6(1) in an hour and 34 minutes. She will play Iga Swiatek for a place in the third round. Swiatek had earlier upset the defending finalist and 15th seed Marketa Vondrousova.

Photo Credit: Roland Garros Twitter

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