Dan Evans’ journey at the French Open came to a grinding halt on Monday.
Evans, the oldest player in the qualifying draw, was defeated 6-4, 6-4 by Frenchman Daniel Jade – who is the youngest player in the draw.
Evans, who admitted last year that he was heading towards the end of his career, will now look ahead to the grass-court swing.
British tennis fans will certainly be disappointed to hear of Evans’ exit. However, they can most certainly take pride in the performances of two other British representatives on day one of Roland Garros qualifying.
Harriet Dart
Dart, ranked 106th on the WTA Tour, began her French Open campaign with a spirited comeback victory against Chinese 10th seed Yue Yuan.
Dart, who has been a regular feature in Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team, defeated the Chinese player 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
Dart will play Spanish player Leyre Romero Gormaz in the second round of qualifying.
If Dart advances to the final round of qualifying, she will play 29th seed Lisa Pigato or former Roland Garros finalist Sloane Stephens.
Toby Samuel
Toby Samuel [pictured below, right, in 2023] has quickly emerged as one of the brightest young British talents on the professional circuit.
The 23-year-old has rapidly climbed the ATP rankings over the past 24 months, and now finds himself ranked 159th on the Tour.
Samuel’s impressive form continued on Monday with victory in the first round of Roland Garros qualifying.
The Briton defeated seventh seed Martin Damm, 7-6, 6-2.
With Monday’s victory, Samuel has set up a clash with former world number seven David Goffin, who is set to retire from his playing career at the end of this year.
Where does Cameron Norrie rank among the best British players in tennis history?
Cameron Norrie’s career titles
- Los Cabos Open
- Indian Wells Open
- Delray Beach Open
- Lyon Open
- Rio Open
Charles Broom
World number 264 Charles Broom saw his French Open campaign come to an end on Monday.
The 28-year-old, who is also ranked 211th on the doubles tour, was unable to capitalise on his early lead against Ugo Blanchet, and eventually lost 6-4, 6-7, 4-6 in Paris.
Blanchet, of France, will play 27th seed Pablo Llamas Ruiz in the second round of Roland Garros qualifying.
The winner of Llamas Ruiz and Blanchet will play Vilius Gaubas or Joao Lucas Reis da Silva in the final round of qualifying.
Jack Pinnington Jones
On Monday, Jack Pinnington Jones made his first-ever French Open appearance, in either qualifying or the main draw.
Unfortunately for British tennis fans, Pinnington Jones was unable to advance past the first round of qualifying
Pinnington Jones, seeded 25th on qualifying, was defeated 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 by Ukraine’s Vitaliy Sachko.
Sachko will play Gonzalo Bueno for a place in the final round of qualifying.
Should the Ukrainian reach that stage, he will play Toby Samuel or David Goffin for a place in the French Open main draw.
