Diverse fortunes for the blues

Constant Lestienne and Richard Gasquet started the tournament in Auckland (New Zealand) perfectly on Monday. The two Frenchmen (six entrants in total, since Gregoire Barrier, Adrien Mannarino, Ugo Humbert and Quentin Hales are also in the running) were defeated without the slightest problem, and moreover at the same score (6-3, 6-1) from (very modest) opponents assigned to them By lot, they are Pedro Cashin and Kiranpal Banu. Lestienne, launched by Novak Djokovic in Adelaide, never shudders in front of this Argentinian who is ranked 59 in the world, but he is a pure clay player who was previously defeated by our representative in Heilbronn, on the Challenger circuit, last season. A very easy victory also for Gasquet, who also left only four matches for the New Zealander, who would not have entered the tournament without an invitation. Pannu is already ranked 575th in the world. Last week in Adelaide (Australia), the 36-year-old Peteroa came close to beating American Marcus Giron against whom he had two match points.

Gasquet avoids Cerundolo

22 and counting 👍@richardgasquet1 He beats Kiranpal Bannu 6-3, 6-1, making it 22 consecutive seasons in which he has won a match at tour level!# ASP Classic pic.twitter.com/xNPpRjgmUV

– TennisTV (TennisTV) January 9, 2023

On the other hand, the French veteran goes this time, who should have found the Argentinean Francisco Sirondolo, ranked No. 4, but will finally face the Portuguese Joao Souza, who has risen to the underdog after dropping out of the 30th place in the world. Lestienne, for his part, will oppose the winner of the meeting between the other American seed John Isner (No. 6) and the French Barrier. Because Oakland chime with HBS. And so, in 2020, the last release date (all of the following were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic), the final match saw Humbert defeat Benoît Paire. A scenario that it’s not impossible to relive at the end of the week given the mighty French colony who got engaged at the start of the year in New Zealand. Casper Rudd and Cameron Norrie, the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the tournament, clearly don’t hear it that way.

Mannarino wouldn’t go any further

Adrien Mannarino, the French top seed again on Monday, was also part of the seed (No. 8). Unfortunately for the world No. 43, he stalled on his championship debut. Against the American Jeffrey John Wolf, who is lower than him (66th), “Manna” lost in two sets (6-4, 7-6). His first round opponent, the French Davis Cup leader since the stoppage of Gael Monfils, dominated, however, causing problems for Wolff thereafter. Our top rated rep at the time also led at 4-2 and then served the game at 5-4 without being able to wrap up and pick a set all over. He then led 3-1 in the deciding game, but again fell short of his lead.