The World No.4 Dominic Thiem squandered a two-set lead to suffer a shock first-round defeat at the hands of 35-year-old Pablo Andujar.
Thiem took a two-set to love lead but Andujar battled hard to recover and eventually sealed a 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 after 4 hours and 28 minutes on Court Phillipe Chatrier.
Special Moment for Andujar
Andujar recorded a victory over Roger Federer in the warm-up to Roland Garros but the victory at the French Open was the Spaniard’s first victory over a player ranked inside of the top five in the world.
The 35-year-old was ecstatic with the upset and admitted the time left in his career is limited.
Andujar said: “It’s a very special moment because I’m 35 and I don’t know how long I’m going to play.
“It is very special to win here at Roland Garros is was such an emotional win for me, being two-sets-to-love down against an amazing player.”
“The win against Federer gave me more confidence in myself and more belief in myself. I think that victory made me believe, even though I was two-sets-to-love down.
“So I tried to keep focused. I knew I could win that third set, and everything was going to change.”
Alexander Zverev comes back from the brink
Elsewhere, the sixth-seed Alexander Zverev also struggled but avoided the same fate of Thiem as the German fell behind by two sets before eventually recovering to defeat Oscar Otte 3-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 6-0 in two hours and 49 minutes.
The World No.6 hit a total of 50 winners to shift the momentum and escape trouble as the World No.152 stormed to a two set lead.
Fans were ushered out of Phillipe Chatrier in the final stages of the match as France currently has a 9pm curfew due to coronavirus protocols however the deflated Otte offered little resistence in the final set as Zverev bageled his fellow German to close out the match.
Early Exit for Dan Evans
Britain’s Dan Evans suffered a premature ending to the tournament once again after losing to Miomir Kecmanovic.
The 25th seed Evans took the lead but eventually fell in four sets to extend his search for a first win on the crushed red brick of Paris.
Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Pablo Carreno Busta and Fabio Fognini all cruised through to the second round of the competition.
Women’s Draw
The top seeds in the women’s draw had a far easier route through to the next round as Naomi Osaka, Aryna Sabalenka both progressed with straight set victories
Victoria Azarenka was made to work for her passage into round two as she prevailed in three sets against Svetlana Kuznetsova.
While Angelique Kerber was the standout casualty as the three time grand slam champion lost in straight sets against Anhelina Kalinina.
