Passport to RG, Day 3—Rain falls down on Brady, Mladenovic & Querrey

From first ball to last, keep up to date with the latest from Roland Garros every day on TENNIS.com. We'll have match updates, photos, video highlights and more in our daily notebook: Passport to RG.

Speaking with press, Stefanos Tsitsipas shared he felt a distinct difference in conditions between Hamburg, where he was playing just two days ago, and his first mn slowing down his pace, atch in Paris. The result was falling behind two sets to Jaume Munar, but he found a way to reset his mind and play at his pace.

"Although I started well, I was kind of like switched off again later during the first set. As you saw, whatever I was trying to do, most of my shots were landing out and nothing was going my way.," he said.

"It was crazy what was happening out there, and I couldn't find any solutions. I feel like I was just turning down the hill, and I'm happy that I took my time. I started thinking a little bit more. Started figuring out why I was rushing so much and why I was going for extreme things. Yeah, after a bit of processing and thinking, I think that helped settle things down and have a fresh new start of the match."

Will this be the major Aryna Sabalenka finally puts everything together?

The eighth seed stepped on the gas in beating Jessica Pegula, 6-3, 6-1, winning eight of the final nine games to move through in 73 minutes. Sabalenka has never been beyond the second round in Paris, and despite owning the weapons to take a match out of anyone's hands, has just one round-of-16 showing in her first 11 major main draw appearances.

In an exciting second-round encounter, Sabalenka will square off against Daria Kasatkina. The Russian won their lone meeting in Beijing last year, just days after Sabalenka defended her Wuhan crown.

Closing out play on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Denis Shapovalov held off Gilles Simon, 6-2, 7-5, 5-7, 6-3, to pick up his second Roland Garros match win. The ninth-seeded lefty, fresh off a semifinal showing in Rome, ended his day by winning 34 points from 48 opportunities when he came forward. His second-round opponent, Roberto Carballes Baena, relinquished just two games in crushing Steve Johnson.

Like Simon, Richard Gasquet was unable to ride any home-court advantage, as Roberto Bautista Agut eased past the 34-year-old, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 6-1. Gasquet led by a double break, 5-2, in the opening set and missed two set points at 5-4 on his serve, before whittling away.

Getty Images

At the Italian Open two weeks ago, Daria Kasatkina was playing some of her best tennis of the year against Victoria Azarenka. Out of nowhere, a slip on the clay forced the Russian to stop her match and left her to question if she'd be able to play in Paris.

That question was answered with a resounding yes Tuesday night, as the 23-year-old rolled over wild card Harmony Tan, 6-2, 6-1, in 65 minutes. Remarkably, Kasatkina won 19 of her 24 first serve return points and could get Aryna Sabalenka in her next match, should the Belarusian advance past Jessica Pegula.

Grigor Dimitrov also posted a nice win over a wild card entrant, eliminating Gregoire Barrere, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Getty Images

Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas avoided joining fellow Top 10 seeds Daniil Medvedev (No. 4) and Gael Monfils (No. 8) in crashing out of the first round at Roland Garros, but required coming back from two sets down for the first time in his career.

Tsitsipas overcame Jaume Munar, 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, in three hours and 12 minutes, and will go back to work against Pablo Cuevas in the second round. The Greek just beat Cuevas, 7-5, 6-4, in the second round of Hamburg last Thursday.

Tenth seed Roberto Bautista Agut has taken a 7-6 (5), 6-2 lead on Richard Gasquet. Gilles Simon grabbed the third set, 7-5, to force ninth seed Denis Shapovalov to play on.

Daria Kasatkina, who was going toe-to-toe with Victoria Azarenka in Rome before suffering a freak ankle injury, is up 6-2 versus Harmony Tan.

Getty Images

Just two years ago, Sloane Stephens was a set and a break up on Simona Halep in the women's final. The loss was her first in seven tour-level finals and she's since dipped in form, entering Paris with a 3-10 record in 2020.

Stephens was all business in her opener, dispatching Vitalia Diatchenko, 6-2, 6-2. The No. 29 seed did not face a break point in the 66-minute victory and will look to secure her first Top 100 (you read that right) win of the year against No. 87-ranked Paula Badosa in round two.

Stefanos Tsitsipas has drawn even with Jaume Munar, winning their fourth set, 6-4.

Getty Images

Denis Shapovalov is in command against France's Gilles Simon with a 6-2, 7-5 lead, after saving five set points in the second. Shapovalov was down 2-5 in the second set, but turned the tide with an assertive approach, finishing with 23 winners to 28 unforced errors.

On Court Suzanne-Lenglen, Tsitsipas claimed the third set, 6-1. The world No. 6 has his sights on forcing a decider, serving with a 3-2 advantage in the fourth.

Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has put up half the number of games as his opponent, Jaume Munar. The Spaniard is up, 6-4, 6-2. Is another Top 10-seed on his way out in the first round?

Meanwhile, Andrey Rublev rallied from two sets down to the dismay of Sam Querrey, prevailing 6-7 (5), 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4, 6-3, in three hours and 17 minutes to get his maiden Paris victory. Querrey served for the match at 5-3 in the third set, but it's the No. 13 seed who faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for a place in the third round.

Getty Images

Speaking in her virtual press conference, the Frenchwoman had plenty to say about a crucial call that wasn't made when she held set point at 5-1 in the first set. Laura Siegemund's attempt to track down Mladenovic's backhand drop shot would prove to be unsuccessful, but chair umpire Eva Asderaki did not call the German on the double bounce (see further down this story for a video replay). Mladenovic would ultimately miss out on seven set points before losing in straight sets.

"I think the chair umpire was the only person not to have seen it on the center court. So we can call that a turning point. I mean, should have been 6-1. I don't know about the outcome of the rest of the match after that, but, yeah, was definitely a key point."

"Unfortunately, she (Siegemund) didn't. I didn't expect her to do it. But if she would have done it, she would have all my respect and be super-fair play. Yeah, this thing didn't happen. But she's not the one responsible. I think the chair umpire is the one that should be really focused on that call."

"I had the results still in my hands, but you see how tennis, it's about one point at times. And I got to give her credit for going for her shots afterwards and slowly coming back."

Andrey Rublev had a break lead in his fifth set against Sam Querrey, after nearly exiting in the first round less than an hour ago. The Russian is serving at 6-7 (5), 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4, 2-1.

Denis Shapovalov came out firing in clinching the first set, 6-2, over France's Gilles Simon. Shapovalov made his Top 10 debut last week, though dropped back down a spot to No. 11 in yesterday's rankings. He reached his first major quarterfinal at the US Open and backed it up with a run to the Rome semis.

A little more than 48 hours after seeing the Hamburg trophy slip through his finger tips, Stefanos Tsitsipas find himself in an early hole. Jaume Munar has taken the first set of their opening-round meeting, 6-4.

Last year, Tsitsipas lost a five-hour marathon to Stan Wawrinka, 8-6, in the deciding set of their round-of-16 clash and told reporters afterwards, "Long time since I cried after a match, so emotionally wasn’t easy to handle."

Following a third-round loss at the US Open that saw him cough up six match points to Borna Coric and the way Hamburg ended against Andrey Rublev, it will be interesting to see how the Greek responds at this tournament.

AP Images

Sam Querrey was in position to claim one of the day's most surprising wins against an in-form Rublev. But with the match on his racquet at 5-3 in the third set, Querrey double faulted to get broken and momentum soon shifted completely. Rublev reeled off five successive games to force a fourth set, and took an early break lead on the American.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic confidently marched into round two, dismissing Mikael Ymer, 6-0, 6-2, 6-3, in hour and 38 minutes. Djokovic improved to 60-2 in the first round on the Grand Slam stage and is bidding to win his second Roland Garros crown. Just over two weeks ago, he claimed his fifth Rome title, defeating Diego Schwartzman in the final.

It wasn't easy, but Sofia Kenin will be happy to get through her opener safely with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Ludmila Samsonova. Kenin was down an early break to the Russian in the third set, but after getting on serve, would go on to claim the final three games of the encounter. Ana Bogdan is next for the No. 4 seed.

"I was just relieved," Kenin told Tennis Channel's Jon Wertheim. "The weather conditions didn't help me. I'm just really happy I found a way to win."

Novak Djokovic continues to cruise with a 6-0, 6-2 advantage against Mikael Ymer. The Swede did put himself in contention for shot of the day, thanks to this tweener passing shot.

Sam Querrey hasn't won a match since February, but the American has made a fine start in Paris, winning the first set, 7-6 5), over No. 13 seed Andrey Rublev. Just 48 hours ago, Rublev triumphed in Hamburg, rallying from 3-5 down in a third set to topple Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Querrey's countryman, Marcos Giron, has also taken a one-set lead in his opener against Quentin Halys, 7-5. Kevin Anderson is closing in on the second round, up two sets and 4-3 in the third on Laslo Djere.

Ludmila Samsonova has taken the second set, 6-3, over Australian Open champ Sofia Kenin. The American is 3-3 since the WTA tour restarted.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic couldn't have asked for a better start, rolling to his first set, 6-0, versus Mikael Ymer. Djokovic won 17 more points, thanks to 10 winners and just one unforced error.

Getty Images

A 6-1, 5-1, 40-0 lead got away from Kiki Mladenovic at the US Open. Then, she was withdrawn from the doubles draw due to a Nassau County quarantine measure (having been in contact with Benoit Paire, who tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the event's start) and forced to self-isolate for 12 days in New York.

At her home Slam today, Mladenovic saw seven set points come and go against Laura Siegemund (albeit one was rightfully hers, see video below), before the German advanced to the second round, 7-5, 6-3.

Siegemund staved off seven set points to rally from 1-5 down against Mladenovic in the opening set for a 7-5 lead. But did she truly "save" them?

A missed call by chair umpire Eva Asderaki and questionable lack of sportsmanship certainly helped, as Mladenovic had the set taken away from her on a double bounce seen 'round the world at 1-5, ad out, thanks to instant replay.  Debate what you want about Siegemund's role, though this wasn't a too close to tell moment. The miss is ultimately on Asderaki at the end of the day.

In a 48-minute opening set, Sofia Kenin moves ahead, 6-4, against Ludmila Samsonova, a positive start to the Australian Open champion after coming in on the back of a 6-0, 6-0 defeat to Victoria Azarenka in Rome.

Two-time Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson has opened up a 6-2, 3-1 lead on Laslo Djere.

Showers have halted these matches and everything else away from Court Philippe-Chatrier, where Kristina Mladenovic holds a double break advantage over Laura Siegemund.

US Open semifinalist Jennifer Brady found herself locked in a battle with 17-year-old Clara Tauson, and in the end, courageous go-big-or-go-home ball striking from the qualifier would propel the Dane past the No. 21 seed in her major main draw debut.

Tauson, down 2-4 in the decider, later saved two match points at 6-7, 15-40, before missing three of her own in the ensuing game. But she broke again to give herself a second shot to serve it out and got across the line by erasing one more break point to cap off a 6-4, 3-6, 9-7 win. Brady won six more total points, but Tauson's risk taking, resulting in 48 winners and 46 unforced errors, was the difference maker. The two combined to go 10 for 36 on break point chances.

Another American, Danielle Collins, awaits Tauson in the wings.

Having missed out on eight opportunities to win the first set, second seed Karolina Pliskova regrouped nicely to thwart Mayer Sherif's upset bid, 6-7 (9), 6-2, 6-4, in two hours and 15 minutes.

It won't get any easier for Pliskova from here, as the world No. 4 gets 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko in the second round. Last year in Beijing, Ostapenko handed Pliskova 25 double faults, yet still managed to oust the Czech in three.

Getty Images

Danielle Collins turned her match around nicely with Monica Niculescu for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory. She also let the Romanian know exactly how she felt about her underarm serve.

Bouncing back from a disappointing quarterfinal loss in Rome, Matteo Berrettini took apart Vasek Pospisil, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3, to hand the Canadian his 19th loss in 20 career tour-level matches on clay. Berrettini won 48% of his return points to break Pospisil six times, and only faced one break point on his serve.

The Italian has plenty of room to tack on points over the fortnight, having lost in the second round last year to Casper Ruud. Berrettini faces Lloyd Harris next, after the South African defeated Alexei Popyrin, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7).

In 2016, 2018 and 2019, Jelena Ostapenko lost in the opening round at Roland Garros. In 2017, she won her first tour-level title in a stunning run to the trophy.

The Latvian secured her eighth win at the event in overwhelming Madison Brengle, 6-2, 6-1, in 62 minutes. Ostapenko was successful every time she came forward, winning all 14 net points, and kept her double faults under double digits by finishing with eight. She awaits the winner of Karolina Pliskova and Mayar Sherif.

Nao Hibino also advanced, blitzing Marta Kostyuk, 6-4, 6-0, in 58 minutes.

Getty Images

Second seed Karolina Pliskova will need to find a way to battle back in three, or she'll find herself out of the first round to Mayar Sherif, the first Egyptian woman to appear in the main draw of a major. Sherif won the first set tiebreaker, 7-6 (9), after saving eight set points, the last at 8-9 with a beautifully carved backhand drop shot.

Italy's Matteo Berrettini is starting to pour it on against Vasek Pospisil, who entered the match with a 1-18 tour-level record on clay. Berrettini leads, 6-3, 6-1.

US Open semifinalist Jennifer Brady dropped her opening set, 6-4, to Danish qualifier Clara Tauson but has an early break in the second set.

Getty Images

The final day of the opening round wraps up Tuesday, with clouds and a couple showers expected and temps in the low-to-mid 60s. The lineup is headlined by world No. 1 Novak Djokovic opening his campaign against Mikael Ymer. Djokovic arrived in Paris after capturing his fifth Rome crown with a final victory over Diego Schwartzman.

The second seed on the women's side, Karolina Pliskova, starts us off on Court Philippe-Chatrier versus qualifier Mayar Sherif of Egypt, a former standout at Pepperdine University. How will Pliskova's health hold up after retiring from the Rome final with a left thigh injury? Something to keep an eye out on.

Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin played one clay-court match coming in, and she didn't post a single game in getting double-bageled by Victoria Azarenka at the Foro Italico. After taking out Serena Williams in the third round here last year, Kenin will look to draw on past Paris inspiration to get herself back on track when she meets Ludmila Samsonova.

Loic Wacziak / FFT

Stefanos Tsitsipas is also looking to break out of a funk: he lost in the US Open third round despite holding six match points against Borna Coric and in Sunday's Hamburg final with Andrey Rublev, the Greek led 5-3 before collapsing, ending the match with a double fault. It was in Paris where an 8-6 loss in the fifth to Stan Wawrinka saw Tsitsipas go through a dry spell for the next three months in 2019. He opens with Spain's Jaume Munar.

Other notables include Rublev making his quick turnaround against Sam Querrey, Jennifer Brady taking on qualifier Clara Tauson, home favorite Richard Gasquet battling No. 10 seed Roberto Bautista Agut, former champion Jelena Ostapenko floating unseeded on Court 9 in a matchup with Madison Brengle, and ninth seed Denis Shapovalov closing out play on Chatrier against Gilles Simon.