The second day of the French at the Paralympic Games in the wheelchair tennis events

Relive the second day of the French in the wheelchair tennis events at Roland-Garros. Ksénia Chasteau easily won and won her first victory at the Games at the age of 18. Pauline Déroulède, Charlotte Fairbank and Emmanuelle Mörch are eliminated.

Ksenia, a first that counts!

Even though she was clearly the favourite against Moroccan Samira Benichi, ranked 35th in the world, Ksenia Chasteau added the manner to conquer her first victory at the Olympics, from the height of her 18 years (6/0, 6/1). The world number 1 and winner of the Roland-Garros junior tournament shared her happiness in the arms of her father and with a public of the Suzanne-Lenglen court conquered by her offensive game.

After the tears that followed the elimination in doubles, she finds a big smile again. Next, she will face the world number 2, the Japanese Yui Kamiji. A real challenge!

“This first victory in a Paralympic game means a lot to me.appreciated Ksenia. I made sacrifices by coming to Paris to train at Pole France, family and friendly sacrifices. (she is from Marseille). Today I find the banana again (Editor’s note: after the defeat in doubles the day before). It’s a great reward for the work accomplished. I’m also very well surrounded..”

Then she concluded with a joke that is her secret.I had a good draw, that’s true. Now it’s going to be more complicated but I believe in it. I really believe in it. I love rubbing shoulders with the best in the world! I keep my feet on the ground, well, my feet (she is amputated)but I really believe it!“

Déroulède says goodbye and thank you

Beaten yesterday in extremis with Ksenia Chasteau in doubles by the Colombians, Pauline Déroulède failed to take revenge against the very solid Angelica Bernal, world number 6. After a balanced start to the match, the Frenchwoman gave in (6/3, 6/1).

Very disappointed, the young mother thanked the public who gave her unconditional and loving support. She even apologized for not having been able to make them vibrate more…

“It’s hard… But what I remember is this love that people gave usPauline said, her voice trembling. My granddaughter in the stands, all the encouragement, all the time, even though I was 5-1 down… Thank you all, everyone. I would have liked to do better, but it was a difficult draw, it was my first Games… What I experienced will still be something great. For me, there will be a before and after Paris 2024..”

Fairbank’s beautiful fight

Despite two set points each and extraordinary encouragement, Charlotte Fairbank lost to the British Lucy Shuker (6/4, 7/5). The left-hander gave it her all, in a pretty crazy atmosphere. The famous court n°14 and its cauldron atmosphere kept all its promises…

Charlotte, who gave her opponent a superb hug and warmly thanked her audience, will not forget these 2024 Paralympic Games…

“It was an experience I will never forget. It was magical to have all these people with me. I am very frustrated by my level of play, by my service, I think I was a little caught up by the magnitude of the event. But I do not regret anything. I lived the moment well.

The full court? I had never experienced that in my life. And I will surely never experience it again. It was indescribable. I am too moved by what people have given me. These families, these children. I have just released a book that tells my life, my disability, for children. Everything I have received goes straight to my heart. And I think that concerning the resonance of the Paralympic Games, there will be a before and after Paris 2024.”

Mörch hoped for better

The score is harsh (6/0, 6/0). Emmanuelle Mörch could not do anything against the world number 10, the Japanese Momoko Ohtani. Despite the support of the Suzanne-Lenglen public, her tournament ended a little abruptly. But the Frenchwoman, after wiping away a few tears, wanted to remember the positive.

“It’s tough, I didn’t expect this, I had hung on for almost two hours a few months ago. But today I had no solution. It’s still a great experience. I fought to get this qualification, with my partner who has also become my coach. The opening ceremony, yesterday’s doubles full of emotions with Charlotte (Fairbank) who I am close to, the thrill, sharing with the public, I won’t forget it...”

Menguy and Laget fall to the Chinese

On court 14, packed to the brim, Gaetan Menguy et Guilhem Laget suffered the law of the Chinese duo, Zhenxu Ji and Shunjiang Dong (6/3, 6/2). The first will return to the Roland-Garros courts on Sunday for the rest of his singles tournament, the second has finished with the Paralympic tournament.

“I am very disappointed with my performance today, I didn’t have a good feeling.Gaëtan admitted frankly. It’s disappointing, because the atmosphere was pretty crazy for us.. We would have liked to do better.“

“I obviously hoped for much better from this tournament, but I put it into perspective because I almost didn’t play it due to an injury, so I knew how to enjoy the good moments., This is what we must especially rememberphilosophized Guilhem. The Chinese surprised us with their level in doubles but we could have done better. The atmosphere was crazy, the support we received was extraordinary…”

Sunday, Houdet enters the competition

Stéphane Houdet will make his debut this Sunday, in singles and doubles alongside Frederic Cattaneo who will also play his second round of singles.