Aurélien Canot, Media365, published on Sunday January 12, 2025 at 7:44 a.m.
The first racquet hits in Melbourne during the Australian Open resulted in the qualification of Arthur Fils, who nonetheless suffered against Virtanen. The tournament is, however, already over for Diane Parry, beaten by Donna Vekic.
Arthur Fils qualified, Diane Parry eliminated. The start of the Australian Open this Sunday in Melbourne brought mixed fortunes to two of our highest-ranked representatives in the men’s and women’s draws. If the French number 2 among men knocked Otto Virtanen out of his way in four sets (3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4), Parry, also French number 2 but among the ladies this time, s was stopped as soon as she entered the competition after her defeat in two sets (6-4, 6-4) against Donna Vekic. Son, however, did not experience the walk in the park that many imagined facing this Finn ranked much lower than him at the ATP (92nd). The 20th in the world and seeded number 20 in the event found himself trailing a set to nothing then mishandled again in the next set, which saw Virtanen serve to win this second set, at 5-4, before reacting, getting back together by winning the decisive game (7-4) then the next two rounds, not without still being scared at times.
A second round against Halys for Son?
The essential is nevertheless assured for the Bondynois, forced to stay almost three hours (2h48) on the court to get rid of the Finn and who could find another Frenchman, Quentin Halys, in the next round. Parry won’t be so lucky. Opposed to Vekic, 19th in the ranking, the Boulonnaise, who had not played an official match since November 16, fought well (she saved four break points in the first set and broke twice in the second round) against the Croatian, but without preventing the silver medalist of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer and eighth finalist of the last US Open from enforcing the hierarchy by removing the two sets with the same score after almost two hours of play (1h44).
Related News :