The fourth day of Wimbledon smiled on the French. Thursday June 30, Harmony Tan, Richard Gasquet and Alizé Cornet all qualified for the third round of the London tournament. Australian Nick Kyrgios gave him a show of strength against world No. 31 Filip Krajinovic and offers a shock against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Harmony Tan continues its journey
After her feat in the first round against former world number 1 Serena Williams, Harmony Tan continues her journey on the London turf. The French only needed two sets (6-3, 6-4) to erase the Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo, seeded number 32. Exhausted after her first match in the main draw at Wimbledon, the Frenchwoman forfeited doubles on Wednesday June 29, arousing the ire of her partner. A decision perhaps wise for the 115th in the world, who, thanks to this new victory, joins, for the first time in her career, the third round of a Grand Slam tournament.
Harmony Tan will have a good time to play against the British Katie Boulter, beneficiary of an invitation from the tournament organizers, who surprised everyone (3-6 7-6 (4) 6-4) against the Czech Karolina Pliskova , world number 7.
Richard Gasquet all in control, Hugo Gaston stops there
Opposed to the American Mackenzie Mcdonald on court 17, Richard Gasquet did not tremble. After a serious start to the match which allowed him to pocket the first set thanks to an efficient service game, Gasquet scared himself in the second set where he gave up his engagement to be trailed 3-1. “Richie” finally overcame his opponent (55th at ATP) in 2:31 and four sets (6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3).
#Richard2022 ! For the first time in almost 4 years and the US Open 2018, @richardgasquet1 qualified for the 3rd round of a Grand Slam tournament!
HAS #Wimbledonyou have to go back to 2016 to find the French in the 1/16 final! pic.twitter.com/jPgMFbJ9vy
— Game, Set and Maths (@JeuSetMaths) June 30, 2022
The Biterois confirms his return to form at 36 years old. Semi-finalist in 2007 and 2015, Gasquet had not reached the third round of the London Grand Slam stage since 2016, where his road had stopped in the eighth. He will try to snatch his ticket for the eighth against the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, (25th in the world), who also needed four rounds to get the better of the Finn Emil Ruusuvuori (3-6, 6-1, 6 -4, 6-4).
Two small turns and then goes away. After a fight in five sets (6-2 4-6 0-6 7-6(3) 6-3) against the Australian Alexei Popyrin in the first round, the Frenchman Hugo Gaston could not face anything against Lorenzo Sonego . In 2h30 of play, the Italian disposed of Toulouse in three sets (7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-4). Lorenzo Sonego will find in the third round the winner of the match between Rafael Nadal and Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis.
Alizée Cornet, from one record to another
Alizé Cornet, 37th in the world, qualified for the third round of Wimbledon on Thursday by beating the American Claire Liu (6-3, 6-3). Shis opponent (75th in the world) slipped at the start of the game, when the first games had been balanced, and had a big bandage put on his right knee. From there, the French had a clear ascendancy until the end of the meeting.
Monday, Cornet had already obtained the record of consecutive participations in Grand Slam tournaments (62). With her victory in the second round, she offers herself a personal best this time. For the very first time in her career, the 32-year-old has qualified for the third round of the first three Grand Slam tournaments of the season. The French number 1 should face for a place in the round of 16 the world number 1 Iga Swiatek, opposed Thursday to the Dutch Lesley Kerkhove (138th and drafted from the qualifications).
As for the headliners, Paula Badosa (seed number 4) and Petra Kvitova (number 25) both won in straight sets. They will face off in the third round on Saturday July 2.
Nick Kyrgios metamorphosed
The Australian was expeditious. Nick Kyrgios only spent 1h26 on court number 2, facing the 31st in the world, the Serbian Filip Krajinovic (6-2, 6-3, 6-1). Beyond his performance, it was the exemplary attitude of the fiery Australian who surprised. The 20th in the world was particularly calm, never contesting the decisions of the referee. In short, metamorphosed. With 24 aces on the counter, the man with the cap mastered his third round from start to finish. Sign that Nick Kyrgios takes the 2022 edition of Wimbledon very seriously. He will find the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (5th in the world), easy winner of the Australian Jordan Thompson, also in three sets (6-2, 6-3, 7-5).
Note that the Spanish Roberto Bautista Agut, 19th in the world, had to forfeit after testing positive for Covid-19. The player of 34 years old was to face the Colombian Daniel Galan (109th) at the end of the afternoon, who is therefore qualified for the third round. After Marin Cilic and Matteo Berrettini, he is the third player to have to leave the London turf because of the virus.