French Open day two: A marathon match, a cheeky underarm serve, camouflaging with the clay

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Serena Williams ecstatic

We look back at day two at Roland Garros as Rafael Nadal began his quest for a 13th French Open title with a straight-sets win over Egor Gerasimov.

Serena Williams, still looking for that elusive record-equalling 24th Grand Slam crown, is also through after beating Kristie Ahn in two.

Picture of the day

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A sign of the times. Rafael Nadal, a mask, and a smattering of spectators (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Match of the day

There was a marathon for the smattering of fans allowed into Roland Garros to enjoy, or endure, as Italian qualifier Lorenzo Giustino overcame France’s Corentin Moutet 18-16 in the fifth, in a match lasting six hours and five minutes.

Shot of the day

Alexander Bublik dusted off the underarm serve on his way to knocking out eighth seed Gael Monfils.

Quote of the day

“I love the conditions, because, well, I’m from Austria.” – Dominic Thiem doesn’t mind the drizzle

Apparel fits?

He’s not even here, but…

…Aussie firebrand Nick Kyrgios still weighed in after Mats Wilander questioned Andy Murray’s right to take a wild card.

Brit watch

Liam Broady, who battled through qualifying, was beaten in four sets by Czech Jiri Vesely and Cameron Norrie went down in five to lucky loser Daniel Galan. Heather Watson flies the solitary British flag remaining on Tuesday.

Fallen seeds

Women: Madison Keys (12), Marketa Vondrousova (15), Karolina Muchova (22).
Men: Daniil Medvedev (4), Gael Monfils (8), Fabio Fognini (14), Felix Auger Aliassime (19), Hubert Hurkacz (29).

Up next

Watson takes on France’s Fiona Ferro in her first-round match. Elsewhere world number one Novak Djokovic, who has yet to lose a match in which he hasn’t hit a line judge with a ball this year, gets up and running against Sweden’s Mikael Ymer.

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