Tsonga upset in first round as host country's struggles continue at French Open
France is still seeking its first French Open champion in 17 years
By
Kevin Skiver
•
1 min read
Home court advantage seemingly doesn't apply to the French in tennis.
With the first-round exit of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Wednesday, the 17-year French championship drought at the French Open appears destined to continue. Tsonga, the No. 11 player in the world, was widely regarded as France's best hope to end the host nation's struggles. However, his loss to Argentina's Renzo Olivo brought an early, and abrupt, end to that hope.
Olivo defeated Tsonga 7-5, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 in Wednesday's conclusion after the match was suspended Tuesday because of darkness. It was Olivo's second career Grand Slam victory.
The match also marks Tsonga's first first-round exit in a major since he was beaten by Andy Roddick at the Australian Open a decade ago. It will likely prolong the French men's drought of 34 years in the French Open. Tsonga's counterparts, Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils, are dealing with injuries, and it's entirely possible that there may not be a single French player in the second week of the men's draw. Lucas Pouille may be the last line of defense on that end.
The women's draw offers a bit more hope for the hosts. Kristina Mladenovic won her match against Sara Errani, but her back injury doesn't ease her road. Mladenovic considered pulling out of the Open during her match with Jennifer Brady on Monday because of the injury, but she persevered through a brutal three-hour match for that victory. Defeating Errani 6-2 6-3 should give Mladenovic confidence heading into her next matches.
It's the latest installment in a saga that must be tremendously frustrating for a country that hosts such a major event. Unless one of its remaining participants is able to do something truly extraordinary, however, it appears to be a saga that's doomed to go on.
