Denis Shapovalov, the No. 25 seed, made a winning start on his Roland Garros debut on Tuesday in a rain-interrupted first-round win.
The #NextGenATP Canadian recovered from a 2-5 deficit in the first set, then experienced few problems in a 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 victory over John Millman of Australia in two hours and three minutes.
“It was really tough conditions today with the rain," said Shapovalov. "The court was getting pretty heavy, but the balls especially, they were getting really fluffy and heavy. But, at the same time, I felt like I played really well… I'm really happy with the win. It's not an easy match against John. He's such an experienced player.
“I wasn't too concerned 2-5 down, I knew I had a couple of chances before the break [in play]. I stayed pretty calm… I felt [that] in the first set I was still the better player, even though he had broken me. Maybe my confidence on clay has grown. My inner belief that I can come back is there with me, during the tough moments, and it's given me a little bit of inner confidence.”
He will next play Germany’s Maximilian Marterer, also making his debut at the clay-court Grand Slam championship. Marterer overcame Ryan Harrison of the United States 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 54 minutes.
The 19-year-old Shapovalov lost just nine of his first-service points and hit 31 winners in a first-time FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting against Millman, who has yet to win in three appearances in south-west Paris.
Shapovalov is now 8-5 on clay this year, highlighted by a Mutua Madrid Open semi-final (l. to Zverev) earlier this month. Having started 2018 at No. 51 in the ATP Rankings, he is now at a career-high No. 25.
“I think it's just been a lot of hard work. Obviously it's tough to climb [up] the way I did. It's been pretty crazy. Even I didn't expect it… I'm just trying to stay focused. It doesn't matter the week, doesn't matter the result, I'm always trying to get back on the court and get better. I'm only 19. I have a lot to improve, a lot to learn.”
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Elsewhere, Great Britain’s Kyle Edmund, the No. 16 seed, powered his way past #NextGenATP Australian Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 in just under two hours. Edmund also won their Millennium Estoril Open clash earlier this month.
“I played pretty well today,” said Edmund. “I was pleased with how I managed my game today. Did what I could control really well in terms of my game and served well.”
Edmund will next play Hungary's Marton Fucsovics, currently No. 45 in the ATP Rankings and fresh off his first ATP World Tour title at the Banque Eric Sturdza Geneva Open. Fucsovics beat Vasek Pospisil of Canada 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(5) for a place in the second round.