French Open Day 1 recap: Quick play, minimal drama at Roland Garros

Author:
bettemarston
Publish date:
May 25, 2014

Serena Williams had no trouble advancing past Frenchwoman Alize Lim. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

PARIS -- The first day of the French Open saw Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Roger Federer and John Isner all take the court.

What happened?

Not a set was dropped on Court Philippe Chatrier by the favorites: Agnieszka Radwanska opened play with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Zhang Shuai and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga closed it out with a 7-6 (4), 7-5, 6-2 win over Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Sandwiched in between were Serena Williams' 6-2, 6-1 win over Alizé Lim and Roger Federer's 84-minute romp over Lukas Lacko, winning 6-2, 6-4, 6-2. All in all, play ended on Chatrier in time around 6:30 p.m. in Paris (12:30 p.m. ET). That's early.

Federer says he was worried 'for like five seconds' before first match at French Open

John Isner wins to set up a potential rematch of his infamous Wimbledon match: John Isner got a good test from French wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert -- whose Twitter handle, @p2hugz, is adorable -- coming through to win 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4), 7-5. The win sets up a possible second-round match against his old foe Nicolas Mahut, who plays his first round match on Monday.

Venus Williams beats someone nearly half her age. Venus, who turns 34 years old in a few weeks, defeated 17-year-old Belinda Bencic, the youngest player in the women's draw. Her victory means there may be a potential third-round matchup against her sister, Serena.

Veterans rally for five-set wins: No. 15 Mikhail Youzhny and Radek Stepanek both came back from two-sets to love down to avoid early exits. Youzhny, who's 31 years old, battled back to beat 22-year-old Pablo Carreno Busta 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 and 35-year-old Stepanek beat 21-year-old Facundo Arguello 6-7 (8), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.

First seed to fall: Monica Niculescu upset No. 25 Kaia Kanepi 5-7, 6-3, 6-1.

Monfils, Lokoli have an incredible dance-off at the French Open kids' day