US Open: first match on the ATP circuit, first feat and jackpot for Frenchman Titouan Droguet

2023-08-29 08:40:32

Frenchman Titouan Droguet, who had never before played a match on the main ATP circuit, overcame Italian Lorenzo Musetti, 20th in the world, on Monday to advance to the second round of the US Open after going through qualifications. At 22, Droguet beat Musetti 6-3, 0-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 in 3:40.

“It’s hard to put into words, I still have trouble realizing it. Today’s game and the whole week are incredible emotions. It’s the first time I’ve experienced this, so it’s hard to realize, ”he said hotly. Like incredulous, he first let himself fall on his back, shook his opponent’s hand and then let out a huge cry of deliverance.

“It’s the first time I’ve played in three winning sets, so I’m trying to manage my efforts, but I didn’t really know how to do it, especially since I’m quite prone to cramps at the end of the match. So in the second set, I tried to manage when I was way behind. The third set is a bit of a headache. I left the field to try to remobilize myself and I just said to myself “kiffe, there are people, a nice atmosphere, my friends, it’s going to be nice, fight until the end and you’ll see”. he said.

In one game he won more money than in his entire career

Arriving in New York, the Frenchman, who usually plays on the Challenger circuit (2nd division), posted $119,000 in tournament winnings since he started on the professional circuit in 2018, including $3,700 from the Meerbusch semi-final, his last tournament before the US Open. Just playing the second round of the main draw in New York will net him $123,000. He will try to do even better and reach the third round by facing the Czech Jakub Mensik (206th) on Wednesday, also from qualifying and who beat the Frenchman Grégoire Barrère (59th).

Another Frenchman, Hugo Gaston, 99th in the world, quietly qualified for the second round of the US Open by dismissing the Japanese Sho Shimabukuro, 158th and like him from qualifying, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 . Alizé Cornet was eliminated Monday in the first round of the US Open, probably the last of her career at 33, against the Russian Elina Avanesyan (66th). Richard Gasquet also lost his duel against Maroszan in the first round.

Benjamin Bonzi emerged victorious from a Franco-French duel against Quentin Halys, in four sets. Finally, Alexandre Müller (84th) suffered the wrath of Novak Djokovic, 2nd in the world, who very easily qualified for the second round of the US Open by sending the Frenchman (6-0, 6-2, 6- 3) in 1h35, thus ensuring to become world number 1 again at the end of the tournament.