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French Open: Brilliant Bertens, sloppy Serena and impressive Parry

French Open: Diane Parry put Amelie Mauresmo's lesson into practice, while Kiki Bertens and Serena Williams were round one winners.

By Opta
Kiki Bertens ousted home favourite Pauline Parmentier

Paris, May 28: Kiki Bertens' comfortable progress from round one of the French Open was in contrast to Serena Williams' struggles, while teenager Diane Parry thrilled the Roland Garros locals with her win on Monday (May 27).

The in-form Bertens, a champion in Madrid this month, ousted home favourite Pauline Parmentier 6-3 6-4 in Paris.

Three-time champion Williams was off form in her opening set against Vitalia Diatchenko before recovering to triumph 2-6 6-1 6-0 on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Caroline Wozniacki fell at the first hurdle, but 16-year-old's Parry's main-draw debut was the stuff of dreams in the French capital.

BERTENS NOT ENJOYING FAVOURITE TAG

Bertens was in complete control during her 6-3 6-4 defeat of Parmentier and the Dutchwoman is considered among the favourites with many pundits – a tag she is not all together comfortable with.

"It's not really something that I'm enjoying, but, no, I know it's going to be really, really tough [to win] the title here," she said.

"I'm taking it match by match and then we will see whatever happen here. I know that I can do it, but I also know that I can lose in the next round."

SERENA ROARS AFTER SLOW START

Williams was uncharacteristically poor in her opening set versus Diatchenko and let out an almighty roar after an error early in the second, which coincided with a big upturn in fortunes.

"I was just so frustrated. I just let out this roar and here I am. Yeah, so maybe that helped. Like I said, I have never done that before," she said.

"Usually I do, but it's after a shot. But this time, it was just like, 'Ahhhh'."

PARRY PUTS MAURESMO LESSON INTO PRACTICE

At 16 years and 281 days old, Parry is the youngest player to win a main-draw match at the French Open this decade.

Her one-handed backhand was a potent weapon in the 6-2 6-4 beating of Vera Lapko, evoking memories of the legendary Amelie Mauresmo, who just so happened to have provided a helping hand.

"It's Amelie Mauresmo that taught me. I love it," she said. "I'm very happy to have a one-handed backhand. I'm one of the very few players to have one, so I stand out thanks to this."

EARLY AU REVOIR FOR WOZNIACKI

Wozniacki (13) bagelled Veronika Kudermetova in the opening set of their tie, but the Russian rebounded to shock her more illustrious opponent 0-6 6-3 6-3.

There was better news for Johanna Konta (26), Ashleigh Barty (8), Donna Vekic (23), Elise Mertens (20), Anastasija Sevastova (12) and Hsieh Su-wei (25), who all progressed, but Julia Goerges (18) bit the dust to Kaia Kanepi.

Story first published: Tuesday, May 28, 2019, 8:14 [IST]
Other articles published on May 28, 2019