ATP Roland Garros: Denis Shapovalov and Grigor Dimitrov make winning start

The 9th seed Denis Shapovalov is through to the second round at Roland Garros, beating Gilles Simon 6-2, 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 in three and a half hours. The Canadian had the upper hand with 55 winners and 65 unforced errors, rushing to the net almost 50 times and earning 11 breaks from 24 opportunities. Simon seized seven breaks from 13 chances, fighting hard but falling in four sets after hitting 20 errors more than winners. Denis grabbed three breaks in the opener for 6-2, trailing 5-2 in set number two and facing five set points at 3-5. Simon couldn't convert any of those, suffering a break and allowing Shapovalov to claim another break at 5-5 and steal the set after dropping five straight games. The Frenchman claimed back from a break down and won the set with a late break to stay alive. It was his final effort, though, with Shapovalov rattling off four consecutive breaks in set number four, moving over the top and continuing where he left at the US Open and Rome.

The 18th seed Grigor Dimitrov took down Gregoire Barrere 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and three minutes. Grigor had a massive advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes, struggling to find the first serve but getting broken only twice. The Bulgarian grabbed over half of the return points, securing seven breaks from huge 24 break chances to control the scoreboard and move over the top in style. From 2-0 down in the opener, Grigor broke at love in games four and six, moving in front and converting the sixth set point at 5-3 with a service winner. Dimitrov scored three straight breaks in set number two, closing the set in the eighth game when Gregoire sprayed a forehand error to move closer to the finish line. The Frenchman had to play against 12 break chances in the third set, losing serve in games three and seven and sealing the deal at 5-2 with an unreturned serve.

Grigor Dimitrov, Denis Shapovalov and Roberto Bautista Agut reach R2.

Roberto Bautista Agut toppled Richard Gasquet 7-6, 6-2, 6-1 in an hour and 58 minutes. Gasquet stayed in touch with the Spaniard in the more extended exchanges, losing ground in the quickest ones and fading from the court after a tight opening set. Bautista Agut stole half of the return points, converting that into eight breaks and never looking back after performing a comeback in the opener. Richard earned three breaks in the first set to forge a 5-2 advantage, wasting two set points on serve at 5-4 to keep the rival in contention. Roberto claimed the tie break 7-5 for a complete turnaround, gathering boost and clinching five breaks in sets two and three that carried him into the second round.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3cJkesN