Thibaut Simon, Media365, published on Sunday January 12, 2025 at 7:44 p.m.
Cazaux, Bonzi, Rinderknech, Muller for the men, Garcia and Jeanjean for the women, the French will be expected for the rest of the 1st round of the Australian Open.
4/7: this is the first assessment of the French entered at the Australian Open. A positive note and a sequel which promises to be equally exciting. During the night from Sunday to Monday, six French people are entered (four for men, two for women) on the courts of Melbourne, including the clash between Caroline Garcia and Naomi Osaka.
A tough first round for Garcia
After several months away from the courts, Caroline Garcia returns to the final rotation at the Rod Laver Arena this Monday, January 13. On the menu, it is the Japanese Naomi Osaka who stands in front of the French number two. Unhappy finalist a few days ago in Auckland where she had to give up against Tauson, the former world number one confirmed her participation in the first Grand Slam of the year. Despite abdominal pain, the Japanese woman has regained sensations on the court in recent months and the desire to get back to her best level. For Garcia, the pressure is different. We will first have to find pleasure before thinking about a potential exploit. Against Osaka, the Frenchwoman won two matches for two defeats. The last match between the two players ended in a French success in straight sets during the round of 16 in Miami last March. Before hoping for Garcia to qualify, the French clan will see Leolia Jeanjean start against Jodie Burrage, the Briton 173rd at the WTA. The 29-year-old Frenchwoman will try to take advantage of her freshness and the three matches won in qualifying to obtain her ticket for the next round. This is the third year in a row that Jeanjean has been in the main draw in Melbourne.
Rinderknech, Bonzi and Cazaux tackle heavy stuff
Among the men, adversity will also be there, starting with Arthur Rinderknech who will face Frances Tiafoe in the first rotation (around 1 a.m.). The Frenchman did not have an ideal preparation with defeats in Brisbane and Auckland in the first round. But his reason for satisfaction may be the last duel between the two men in Lyon last May. Of course, the match was on clay, but it was Rinderknech who won in two sets. For his part, Tiafoe hopes to do better than last year after experiencing a dry defeat in the second round.
Later in the night, Arthur Cazaux and Benjamin Bonzi will face Sebastien Baez and David Goffin respectively. Facing the number 28 seed, Cazaux is the favorite against the Argentinian, who has not won a match since the first round at the US Open. Last year, Cazaux revealed himself to the general public by reaching the round of 16. For Bonzi, he is in good form despite a defeat in the second round of the Auckland tournament against Kecmanovic. Winner in Metz last November, Bonzi will have to be wary of an opponent who will undoubtedly show experience. In the last three duels between the two men, it was the Belgian who emerged victorious each time.
Müller wants to continue
He will perhaps be the most anticipated Frenchman this night given the very good results he achieved. Alexandre Müller recently won the Hong Kong tournament with a victory in the final against Nishikori. During this first round at the Australian Open, Müller will face Portuguese Nuno Borges. A not easy match against the 33rd player in the world. However, confidence is on the French side. The meeting is scheduled in the second rotation around 2:30 a.m.
The Tricolores engaged this night:
Rinderknech – Tiafoe: from 1 a.m.
Jeanjean – Burring: from 1h00
Müller – Borges: from 2:30 am
Baez – Cazaux : from 4:30 a.m.
Goffin – Bonzi : from 6:00 a.m.
Osaka – Garcia : from 11:00 a.m.
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