French Players Exit US Open: A Historic Low
The US Open has witnessed a shocking turn of events as all French players in the men's singles draw have been eliminated after the second round. This marks the first time since 1995 that no French male players will advance beyond this stage in the tournament. Arthur Fils, a promising 20-year-old talent, faced off against Canadian Gabriel Diallo but ultimately succumbed to a four-set defeat (7-5, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4). Fils expressed his disappointment, stating, "It's really bad and it leaves us almost speechless. It's hard to understand, to analyze."
The Struggles of French Tennis
Adrian Mannarino also faced an early exit, losing to Belgian David Goffin despite having a set and a break advantage. Mannarino's defeat continues the trend of struggling French players, with Mannarino admitting, "I'm not playing at the level I've managed to reach for a few years."
Jessika Ponchet Advances Amidst Withdrawals
On a brighter note, Jessika Ponchet is the last French player standing in the women's draw after benefiting from the withdrawal of world number 4, Elena Rybakina. Ponchet, who is ranked 143rd, will now face Caroline Wozniacki in her quest for a spot in the 8th finals. "This time, we'll say I'm lucky," Ponchet remarked regarding her unexpected advancement.
