Roland-Garros Ons Jabeur bounces back, successful comeback for Alexander Zverev

(Paris) Ons Jabeur got another opportunity on the Philippe Chatrier court on Tuesday at the French Open, and this time she grabbed it.

A year after being ousted in the first round, seventh-seeded Jabeur edged Lucia Bronzetti 6-4, 6-1. At the same time, she exorcised her demons from the past, and put an end to the doubt that persisted as to the state of one of her calves.

The Tunisian, one of the crowd favorites in Paris, smiled and expressed her relief after her disappointment last year when she dropped the flag to Poland’s Magda Linette.

Jabeur will now be able to focus on his real goal: winning a first major career title. She was a finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open last year.

The 28-year-old has also struggled with injuries this season. She underwent knee surgery after the Australian Open before being sidelined with a calf injury. She halted her return to play when she faced world No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the clay court tournament in Stuttgart, Germany at the end of April, and withdrew from the tournament. Madrid.

“It was difficult for me after Stuttgart,” admitted Jabeur, adding that she started to find her bearings again.

Jabeur had 27 winners to Bronzetti’s only seven, but she also had 24 unforced errors – an aspect of her game that she will obviously need to work on.

Elsewhere, 16-year-old Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva started her first career Grand Slam tournament by beating Alison Riske-Amritraj 6-2, 6-1. Andreeva’s older sister — Erika, who is 18 — is due to face Emma Navarro later today.

Then, at the end of the day, Swiatek will begin the defense of her title against Cristina Bucsa, who is ranked 70^e in the world.

On the men’s side, fourth seed Casper Ruud defeated Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. The Norwegian remains one of the favorites for top honors at Roland-Garros after losing in the final to Spaniard Rafael Nadal last year.

Winning comeback for Zverev, a year after his serious ankle injury

The German Alexander Zverev, ex-N. 2 global today 27^esigned a winning return to Roland-Garros, where he seriously injured his right ankle a year ago, mastering 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (6-0), 6- 1 South African Lloyd Harris, formertop 50 fell in the standings.

A year ago, Zverev left Center Court on crutches after seriously twisting his right ankle in the semi-final against Rafael Nadal. This injury had kept him out for the rest of the 2022 season.

“It’s very nice to be back, after last year, it’s a tournament that I really marked in my calendar, I really wanted to play here, to do well. I appreciate the warm welcome,” Zverev thanked.

“The way the tournament ended for me last year was very disappointing, I enjoy playing in front of a full stadium even more, I had a lot of fun,” he continued.

Did his game satisfy him for his entry into the running on the sun-drenched Simonne-Mathieu court?

“No,” Zverev replied frankly. But I’m happy to have won in three sets, usually I start Roland-Garros in five sets…”

“I know I have to play better, but there was a lot of wind, Lloyd served very well, and all in all, I’m happy with my victory,” concluded the tall German, who won in 2:43. min.

In the second round, Zverev will face Slovak Alex Molcan (86^e).

With Agence France-Presse