Australian James Duckworth has become the first player to advance at this year’s French Open after his opponent Gabriel Diallo pulled out injured in the second set of their opening-day encounter.
The 82nd-ranked Duckworth took the first set 6-3 against his 49th-ranked rival in 43 minutes at Roland-Garros.
Duckworth then raced out to a 4-1 lead in the second set, but Diallo was struggling to keep up as his fitness issues deepened.
The Canadian had been battling lower back problems leading into the tournament and had reportedly cut a finger on a glass bottle just days before this first-round match.
James Duckworth is through to the second round at Roland-Garros for the second time in his career. (Getty Images: Getty Images: Dan Istitene)
Duckworth will now meet 27th-seeded Spanish young gun Rafael Jodar or American Aleksandar Kovacevic, who is ranked 67th.
The 34-year-old Duckworth and 24-year-old Diallo each held their serve early in the first set before Duckworth secured the first break — to 15 — to go up 4-2, after Diallo put a backhand into the net under pressure.
Duckworth rode his advantage by holding to love. Diallo held to 15 for 5-3, but the Australian retained his composure to hold to 15 for the first set.
The second set became a procession. Diallo survived two break points to hold in the first game, but Duckworth broke him in the third and and again for 4-1, before the Canadian withdrew.
Duckworth, ranked 82nd, progressed to the second round of the clay court major for the first time since 2021 and just the second time in his career.
Thirteen Australians, seven men and six women, are competing in the singles at the tournament.
AAP
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