PARIS, May 31, 2017

Competing in his first Roland Garros main draw, World No. 91 Renzo Olivo celebrated his biggest win of his career, stunning the 12th seed of the French Open Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Court Philippe Chatrier on Wednesday 7-5, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4.

Returning to the court after their first round match was suspended last night, the 25-year-old Argentine needed only one game to secure victory. The entire encounter lasted three hours and 31 minutes.

“It was a very difficult match against a really tough opponent like Jo. And he was playing at home. I knew it was going to be hard. It was going to be crowdy,” Olivo said.

“I think I did it the best way. I tried to keep it calm, but tried to be as aggressive as possible. I think I did it the right way. I found a great balance and it went the best way.”

Olivo will next take on Kyle Edmund from Great Britain.

Tsonga remained philosophical and said: “Last week I won my first-ever clay tournament. And today I lost at the French Open. It’s the paradox of tennis.” 

Thiem Into Third Round

Dominic Thiem – photo: Brigitte Urban

Sixth seed Dominic Thiem sealed his place in the third round with an ace down the middle, beating Simone Bolelli of Italy 7-5, 6-1, 6-3 after two hours and 22 minutes.

“I had a bad start, and then it got better and better. I played well in a tough first set. It was key that I won it. I am happy to be through in three sets,” Thiem told afterwards.

The Austrian will face  Steve Johnson next. The US-American dropped to his knees and began crying at the end of his 6-2, 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 win over Croatia’s NextGen star Borna Coric after the passing of his father about three weeks ago.

“I just miss my dad. I wish he was following along. I know he is, from upstairs,” Johnson said. “Just so emotional. It’s hard to describe. I just know he was looking down on me on that last point. And gave me the strength to finish it off.”

Milos Raonic defeated Rogerio Dutra Silva from Brazil to advance to the third round. The fifth-seeded Canadian hit 25 aces on his way to a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 victory, with four coming in his final love service game. The decisive moment came in the ninth game of the fourth set. Dutra Silva saved six break points but Raonic broke on his seventh to leave him serving for the set and the match.

Favourites Without Problems

Nine-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal is through to the third round with a comfortable 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 success over Dutchman Robin Haase. The fourth seed from Spain hit 33 winners and broke serve five times.

“Robin is always a dangerous opponent. I was more in less control during the whole match, so winning in straight sets is always great news,” said Nadal. “I think I played a solid match and hit my forehand very well. My serve worked better than two days ago. I think I did a lot of things well this afternoon.”

Next up for Nadal is Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia, who reached the third round in Paris for the first time by defeating Viktor Troicki 7-6, 7-6, 7-6.

Novak Djokovic celebrated a straight-sets vicotry over Joao Sousa, winning 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and seven minutes. The win is the Serbian’s second with new coach Andre Agassi in his box.

“I think I have reached the stage of my life where I just need to always find new ways of motivating myself, inspiring myself, and having Agassi on board and doing some changes is definitely bringing me that,” Djokovic said. “I look forward to whatever life brings next. I still feel young in my mind, in my body as well. I’m going to keep going and see where it takes me.”

Djokovic will now take on Diego Schwartzman from Argentina, who beat Italian Stefano Napolitano 6-3, 7-5, 6-2.