French Open 2024: Holger Rune enjoys entertaining victory over Evans, final Brit Katie Boulter falls to Paula Badosa
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Updated 28/05/2024 at 22:02 GMT
Dan Evans’ French Open campaign fell at the first hurdle, joining fellow Brits Andy Murray, Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper in defeat in the first round of the men’s tournament. Evans lost in three straight sets to Holger Rune but managed to produce an entertaining display in a match of high drama at Roland-Garros. Meanwhile, Katie Boulter was the last Briton to exit the competition.
French Open highlights: Rune sees off Evans in straight sets
Dan Evans was bested by Holger Rune 6-4 6-4 6-4, becoming yet another British player to exit at the first round of this year’s French Open.
The 13th-seeded Dane and British No. 3 combined for an entertaining affair filled with neat drop shots, powerful serves, an argument with the umpire and even a court-invading pigeon.
Rune, who now faces Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in the second round, was quick to say how “fun” competing with Evans was.
“Yeah it was fun,” Rune said. “It was also difficult, you know Dan, he’s a tricky player, so definitely had to stay focused and try to play on my terms because he’s obviously his strengths, I think he’s trying to all the time, so it makes it difficult.
“But honestly, I’m happy, it was the first round. Physically I feel great which is nice, and the tennis is getting better. I’m just trying to build.”
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Rune takes tough opening set against Britain's Evans in first-round clash
World No. 62 Evans has won just one match in seven French Open main-draw appearances and has suffered a string of losses so far this year. Meanwhile, Rune, at 21, has already reached the quarter-final stage twice at Roland-Garros, including a Paris Masters title in 2022.
“The fans have always been incredible here in Paris," the Dane added.
"I have had some amazing memories in both French Open here and the Paris Masters as well, always play great and thank you, everyone.”
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'Scared the life out of Dan!' - Evans swerves court-invading pigeon during French Open clash
Evans clashed with both the umpire and a pigeon which had invaded the court and Evans had to sidestep the trespassing bird. The Brit then raged at Spanish umpire Jaume Campistol as Rune challenged two calls.
Evans had saved two break points in the first set and suffered another test in the second, saving four. But Rune was playing with confidence and began to dictate the game with his thunderous forehands and took a two-set lead over Evans.,
In a third set filled with frustration and arguments, Rune levelled the set from 4-2 down, taking four successive games to win the third and final set.
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Evans shows 'exquisite' touch at the net to save break point against Rune
Speaking after his win, Rune said: "I don’t want to say everything I like to do on the court but I definitely like to be creative. I feel like it’s a part of my game. I like to drop shot as you see, I like to come forward to the net, that’s always how I practice since I was very, very young.
"It’s not just forehand and backhand, it’s trying to have all dimensions in the game so when you come up against the best players in the world, they can’t find a weakness in you. That's what I'm trying to build every time."
FINAL BRIT Boulter falls to badosa
After taking the first set against Paula Badosa, Katie Boulter lost the next two to lose 4-6 7-5 6-4.in the opening round of the French Open.
Boulter will be greatly disappointed to have let the match slip from her fingers, but it also means that not a single British player advances to the second round in singles action at Roland-Garros for just the third time.
It was the British No. 1's first French Open experience and the 27-year-old had high hopes of cracking the world's top 10 after breaking into the top 30 for the first time following her win in San Diego.
Boulter had come back from 4-2 down to win the first set 6-4 before Badosa took a tight second set. She then won the third, claiming her first win at Roland-Garros since 2022.
The 26-year-old advances to the second round, where she faces Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva on Thursday, May 30.
You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+
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