Nice place for a resurrection… In recent weeks, Corentin Moutet, 139th in the world, has not shone with his results on the ATP circuit. Back down to the Challenger level to garner matches and confidence, the Parisian had not really achieved his goal.
But nothing like the air of Roland-Garros and the fervor of the Suzanne-Lenglen court to give extra soul to French players. Especially against an opponent who is struggling to become who he was. Stan Wawrinka has won three Grand Slams, including Roland-Garros in 2015. But the Swiss, 37 years old and 264th at the ATP, has above all spent long months of rehabilitation treating his knee and must deal with a decomposed body.
The Vaudois had just won his first two matches for more than fourteen months in Rome but did not have the cash to hold the five sets. Irregular but still fiery and offensive, Moutet did not miss his turn (2-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3). “It’s incredible, blows the Frenchman. It’s really nice to be able to enjoy it in France in front of everyone. These last two years have been very difficult with the Covid. »
The meeting definitely tipped Moutet’s side in the decisive game of the third set. The pupil of Laurent Raymond however led 5-2 in the set before being brought up but knew how to keep his nerves strong.
“Of course the tie-break was important, he analyzes. Behind, when we lose, we know that we have a whole set to redo. We also know that when players like him race in front, they are very hard to catch. At the beginning, I was knocked into it, but I managed to develop my game during the match. Moutet will now have to take another step. In the next round, he tackles… Rafael Nadal.