WATCH: World No 675 leads emotional rendition of La Marseillaise at Roland Garros

French Open

Shahida Jacobs
May 29, 2023

Lucas Pouille became the lowest-ranked player in 10 years to win a first-round match at Roland Garros on Sunday and it sparked wild celebrations in the evening encounter on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The Frenchman, who had slipped to No 675 in the ATP Rankings, came through qualifying to play in the main draw of his home Grand Slam and he certainly made the most of his opportunity.

Pouille defeated lucky loser Jurij Rodionov – the same player he beat in the final round of qualifying – 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 59 minutes to book his place in the second round for the first time since the 2019 edition.

It was also the first time since the 2019 US Open that he had won a Grand Slam match and in the process he also became the lowest-ranked player since Pablo Cuevas in 2013 to reach the round of 64 as the Uruguayan was ranked No 762 in the world when he defeated Adrian Mannarino.

The 29-year-old’s victory led to major celebrations on Chatrier as the crowd burst into a rendition of La Marseillaise with Pouille very much leading the way.

Lucas Pouille teve diversos problemas na carreira, passou por dificuldades inimagináveis que só ele poderia descrever.

Furou o Quali e entrou na chave principal. Hoje venceu o Rodionov por 3 Sets a zero.
E por fim comandou o coral na quadra 14!

ISSO É TÊNIS!🎾😍 pic.twitter.com/UOGdWvJB61

— Juan Andrade (@J27andrade) May 28, 2023

Pouille is a five-time ATP Tour singles title winner and a former world No 10, but he has struggled over the past year and his match against Rodionov was his first at the top level since last year.

“It was special. It was the first time for me that I was playing against the same opponent in three days in the same tournament,” Pouille said after the win.

“I was quite stressed when I saw the draw, but then I realised also that it was a good draw. Good first round in Roland Garros when you see [Carlos] Alcaraz playing a qualifier or [Daniil] Medvedev or some other player.

“I said, ‘Okay, you beat him in the qualies, so he is afraid of you, and just take this advantage for you and just give 100 percent, and you’ll see.'”

Up next for the Frenchman – who will surge up at least 279 places in after his win – is either 14th seed Cameron Norrie or wildcard Benoit Paire.

Lucas Pouille