After being the spark of the tournament in 2020, the young Frenchman Hugo Gaston capsized Roland-Garros with a stunning victory against the Australian de Minaur.
He chooses the places to shine well. Quarter-finalist of the last Masters 1000 in Paris, he had ignited Bercy in particular during a snatch victory against Carlos Alcaraz. He has his habits at Roland-Garros. And the spectators like to capsize with him. After being the spark of the fall 2020 edition by sowing the amortizations, Hugo Gaston had eliminated Stan Wawrinka in the 3e lap, before making Domnic Thiem tremble in the round of 16. The elf had then struggled to confirm. Roland-Garros inspires him. The 74e world player, in need of results (4 victories on the main circuit in 2022) turned the court Suzanne Lenglen upside down, before going out 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 0-6, 7-6 (10/4) from the claws of the Australian Alex de Minaur (seed n°19) in the burning tie-break of the 5e set. He has an appointment with the Argentinian Pedro Cachin (27 years old; 153e global). In a press conference, the subtle left-hander recounted his crazy, crazy, crazy match in which he broke his racket in half at the end of the 4e set, before being down 3-0 in the 5e set, to see the cramps rise at the end of the set, then to overthrow everything…
The scenario : « I’m not a robot, but I’m very happy to be out of it, because Alex is a very good player who is very consistent, who makes very few mistakes. There was a bit of frustration at the end of the first, because I started the match very well and I let him play a little too much and I manage to let him come back and then he will play the first set and then the second and third sets were really good. The start of the fourth too, where I have opportunities to break in, which I don’t do, that freed him up a bit. I was a bit more passive from then on, and then I managed to hold on at the start of the fifth, because it really wasn’t easy, especially at 3-0, I told myself that I had to do this fourth game, I managed to do it. Afterwards, I made a very good comeback game, then I came back into the game. »
Roland, the magic potion: « I’m happy, obviously I arrived at this Roland-Garros with few matches, with a few questions also about me, but my level of play has always been good, I felt very good on the field. I had two or three small glitches that caused it to go wrong, but I got to the game, I felt good in my head, good physically, good in my game. Afterwards, I’m very happy . If it had been a defeat, it would have been hard to take, but I gave my all, so I’m very happy with the game. »
The role of spectators : « They play a very important role, because already they supported me from the beginning, they didn’t arrive just at the end of the fifth. They were there from the start of the match, encouraging me on every point. I also like to share my emotions with the public, it helped me, it gave me strength too, because it wasn’t easy at the start of the fifth and even at the end. I have used them and they have been really fantastic. It was a really good time. »
2020 vs 2022 : « I think my game has improved. I feel stronger in my head, in my game and also physically. So I think I’m also a nice person and also a better player. »
Tsonga : « He is a champion, an incredible player! He played a great match today against Casper. He was close to winning. I had the chance to play him, and my best memory is when he made it to the final at the Australian Open. He’s a champ. He’s a good person. I am very happy for him and his career. »