Duckworth Advances After Diallo Retires Injured
James Duckworth has become the first player this year to secure a spot in the second round of the French Open. The Australian progressed after his opponent, Canada's Gabriel Diallo, withdrew injured in the second set of their first-round clash.
Match Summary
Duckworth, currently ranked 82nd in the world, claimed the first set 6-3 in 43 minutes. He was leading 4-1 in the second set when Diallo, ranked 49th, was forced to retire.
Diallo had been managing lower back problems and had also cut a finger on a glass bottle in the days leading up to the match.
A Second Chance at Roland-Garros
This marks only the second time Duckworth has reached the second round at Roland-Garros, the first being in 2021.
Next Up
He will now face the winner of the match between 27th-seeded Spaniard Rafael Jodar and American Aleksandar Kovacevic.
A Strong Australian Contingent
A total of 13 Australians are competing in singles at the tournament: seven men and six women.