and a rousing performance from Thanasi Kokkinakis were the highpoints for the Australians on a drizzly, wintry Day 3 of the French Open.
In other action from Paris on a day where play on outside courts did not start until 4pm, Novak Djokovic began his defence with a straight sets victory over Pierre-Hugues Herbert. So it proved in a match of sublime shotmaking and significant momentum swings, with the more-experienced Kokkinakis eventually prevailing 4-6 7-6 6-3 5-7 6-3 in a thrilling encounter lasting 4hr 24m, which is the second longest match to date this major.
After conceding the first set, the South Australian was the superior player for much of a match where fine margins separated the pair. “It stings even more that he is a fellow Aussie and a really good friend. You always want to have the upper-hand on your friends, but it is tough. It is one of the toughest ones that I have ever had.”
From Geneva to Bordeaux, and Rome to Paris, Hijikata has performed well in every match without managing to get over the line in any of them. When Purcell’s blunt assessment on Monday that “tennis is shit” at times after he experienced a heartbreaking five set loss was put to him, Hijikata agreed with his mate.“Tennis is a tough sport. You lose every week and Max is probably in a similar boat at the moment where we might not have started the year the way we wanted.
“Next year, I’m going to come back, hopefully, with a lot more confidence and I feel like I can play well on the surface. I have got to just keep telling myself that until the results start to show, but … I feel like compared to last year, it’s not even comparable.” PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 28: Rinky Hijikata of Australia serves against Luciano Darderi of Italy in the Men's Singles first round match on Day Three of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on May 28, 2024 in Paris, France. Recent top 100 entrant Adam Walton is also experiencing the European swing for the first time and, although beaten 6-2 6-4 7-5 by Arthur Rinderknech, demonstrated he has the talent to become a fixture at the top level.
“When I threw the ball up and rain got in my eyes, it was something I hadn’t been exposed to. And so I was a little frustrated to get broken.
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