French Open 2008: First day report
May 27
The 2008 French Open started on a sombre note yesterday as the tournament bade farewell to one of its favourite sons. Brazil’s Gustavo Kuerten exited the 2008 French Open in first round, bringing down the curtain on a singles career which saw him claim the French Open title three times.
Kuerten went down in straight sets to Frenchman Paul Henri-Mathieu, losing 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. The Brazillian player’s 2001 victory at the French Open marked the last occasion that the 1st seed won the tournament. Kuerten will now participate in the doubles tournament at Rolland Garros before bowing out of tennis altogether.
Other first round matches at the 2008 French Open saw several top seeds advance, with Novak Djokovic, James Blake, Andy Murray and David Nalbandian all progressing to the second round of the tournament.
Carlos Moya was the only big-name casualty on the first day of the 2008 French Open. The 1998 French Open champion lost a tough five set encounter to Eduardo Schwank 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-7 (1), 4-6, 6-3.
The women’s draw saw two of the favourites for the title progress to the second round, as Serena Williams trounced Ashley Harkleroad 6-2, 6-1 and Ana Ivanovic defeated Sofia Arvidsson 6-2, 7-5.
Stumble it!