PARIS, May 27, 2016

The local players had to take on some tough and long matches during the early stage of the French Open at Roland Garros.

On Thursday, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga fought past Marco Baghdatis 6-7, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. The sixth seed withstood 11 aces, firing five of his own to prevail in three hours 26 minutes on court Philippe Chatrier.

“It didn’t feel that simple for me, because you win the third set and then of course you expect to continue in this way, but you never know how your opponent will play, will recover from the last three sets and you never know. So you always have to focus on the goal, to continue to play hard and make him move and make him work a lot, and that’s it,” Tsonga told after celebrating his 100th Grand Slam match win. He is only the third Frenchman in history to reach this milestone after Jean Borotra (103) and Henri Cochet (102).

“My first win in a Grand Slam was against Julien Benneteau  in Wimbledon. I had been given a wildcard after playing rather well at Queen’s and I had won several Challengers in a row. Yeah, I remember that. A special moment. Now, it’s my 100th victory. It’s an anecdote, it’s a number. The match itself is something I’ll remember, because to recover after two sets to love, it’s not something you do on a daily basis.”

Alizé Cornet defeated Tatjana Maria 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 in two hours and 47 minutes, which ended with plenty of drama, carrying over to the handshakes.

Maria on Cornet: “It’s not fair play, what she did…she had cramps! She takes physio for her left leg because her right leg was cramping.”

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) 26. Mai 2016

“Handshake” #RG16 pic.twitter.com/q9WwXpZ3xc

— Parsa (@Parsa_Nemati) 26. Mai 2016

Last Maria on Cornet (for now): “We all know that she’s maybe sometimes doing a show, but that she’s doing it like this? It’s crazy.” #RG16

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) 26. Mai 2016

Cornet told on Thursday evening:

“Well, I didn’t understand so much why she was so mad at me. She even told me when we shake hands that she thought I was not fair play. Well, I didn’t choose to cramp at the end of the second set, and I didn’t choose to have this pain in my leg, and I needed a treatment for that. I didn’t take a treatment for my cramp because I know the rule, and I respect it. So actually, my right leg was totally pulling apart and not treating, but I had the treatment for my hip because I felt a pain. I went totally by the rule, and I’m really sorry she got so pissed because this is useless,” the French explainded.

“I understand she’s disappointed. It was tough match for both of us, but I didn’t do anything nonfair play. I’m not this kind of player.”

Cornet and Maria will face off in the doubles again…

On Wednesday, Gilles Simon had to go the distance on court 1, rallying back from two sets down to overcome Guido Pella 4-6, 1-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-4 in four hours and 32 minutes. The 16th seed will take on Viktor Troicki in the third round.