Rainy Drizzly Day In Paris • Great Tennis @ The French Open 2018

Spectators during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 2018. EPA-EFE/CAROLINE BLUMBERG

 

 

By Francisco Resendiz

 

Only water, fruit and yogurt for breakfast in Paris before heading out to Roland Garros. As soon as we get into the official shuttle it starts to rain. The good thing is that on clay the players still have to hit till the rain starts to pour down.

 

First thing we did was to buy an official Roland Garros umbrella. Seemed like we were going to need it the whole day.

 

On court 18 we watched Fiona Farro vs Carina Witthoeft. Farro is a wildcard that got in, she was really giving it her all against Carina. Of course the French crowd was behind her and at multiple times they were cheering her on. The rain was getting stronger but Fiona never lost her concentration and continued to serve well with a total of 3 aces vs Carina. Fiona Farro won 6-4, 6-2.

 

As we were walking towards Suzanne Lenglen Stadium court we noticed that Bethanie Mattek-Sands vs Johanna Larson was on court 14. We decided to stay and watch. It was a very good match. Tons of American and French support for Bethanie. Bethanie moved well and seemed to be returning everything. We were amazed that the umpire was not stopping play and Larson was getting upset as well. Bethanie took the first set then the umpire stopped the match due to weather. Larson was very upset – first time I’ve seen her yelling at the umpire. After the break, Bethanie controlled the second set and came out victorious by having 3 aces against Larson to win • 6-4, 6-3.

 

After the rain break we decided to go out and grab a ham and cheese baguette and a peche (peach) Lipton tea and watch Ryan Harrison vs the young German Maximilian Marterer. Marterer plays really fast and according to some of the German press he has really worked hard on his game since the challengers, which really shows. Maximilian kept level headed unlike Ryan who smashed his racket in the third set. Ryan had 5 double faults and two aces against Marterer, while Marterer had 6 aces and two double faults. Marterer is a lefty and enjoys playing on clay. Marterer wins • 6-1,6-3,7-5.

 

Lastly, from the media center we watched the Belgians Allison and Ruben. Allison Van Uytvanck took complete control of the match vs Isabella Wallace. Were Allison won 6-1, 6-0. Lucky Loser and Belgian Davis Cup Star Ruben Bemelmans also came out victorious with a final ace • 6-4, 6-4, 6-1.

 

The rain ended and the sunshine came through so it seems that all the matches will be played today at Roland Garros.

 

If you are in Paris • come to Roland Garros and enjoy a fabulous event. So well run, so well organised.

Ruben Bemelmans of Belgium in action against Yuki Bhambri of India during their men’s first round match during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 29 May 2018. EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON