Dan Evans admitted this 12 months’s French Open was “tough” for Britain’s gamers
however insisted the larger image was not as bleak because it seemed on clay.
All six British singles gamers misplaced within the first spherical, the primary time since 2020 that none made it to the center of the opening week.
Evans had arguably the trickiest draw as he misplaced in straight units to Danish thirteenth seed Holger Rune.
Andy Murray, solely just lately again from an ankle damage, was crushed by fellow Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka and Katie Boulter was edged out by former world No 2 Paula Badosa.
Harriet Dart misplaced a decent match to Czech teenager Linda Noskova, whereas the largest disappointments had been Cameron Norrie, who went down in 5 to 56th-ranked Pavel Kotov, and Jack Draper, crushed by qualifier Jesper De Jong.
Nevertheless it ought to be remembered that the final time Britain had extra gamers within the singles draw at Roland Garros by rating – there have been seven however Jodie Burrage pulled out injured – was in 1985.
“It’s just been a bit of a tough tournament. I think we’re actually in the best spot we’ve been in on clay for a long time,” mentioned Evans.
“I think Draper will win a lot of matches here and everywhere. I just think it’s not been a great tournament, it’s just how it’s panned out.
“You go around the Tour and it is tough. Typically you may have 4 within the third spherical and we might all be leaping from the treetops.
“All of the matches are 50/50 – well, mine wasn’t – but you can go both ways. Boulter playing Badosa, anyone think she’d win before the match? It’s a tough match.
“Norrie perhaps, however Kotov performs good on the clay. Draper, okay he had a nasty day. Andy and Stan is 50-50. It is robust. However I bear in mind final 12 months we had been saying how good all of us had been at Wimbledon.
“If we got four in the fourth round at Wimbledon, we’d say British tennis is flying. But we play on grass for three weeks.”
Katie Boulter’s defeat to Paula Badosa was in all probability essentially the most agonising of the lot
Boulter’s defeat was in all probability essentially the most agonising of the lot as she led Badosa by a set and a break and wasted three break factors for 6-5 within the second.
“I can’t speak for the others,” she mentioned. “I’ve worked so hard to be in this position and I lost out in the finest of margins. Ultimately I’ve done the best I can. I’ll keep doing the best I can.
“I want to spend extra time on it as a result of I feel plenty of gamers can play properly on it.”
British No 3 Burrage, who withdrew Roland Garros on account of an ankle damage, is known to be present process assessments and hopes to be match for Wimbledon.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Boulter and Alex de Minaur head to the park to debate the early levels of their relationship and the way life has modified prior to now 12 months
What’s arising on Sky Sports activities Tennis?
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Discover out all of the methods to look at tennis on Sky Sports activities, together with the US Open, ATP and WTA excursions
Within the run-up to the third Grand Slam of 2024 – Wimbledon – you may watch the entire largest tennis stars in motion dwell on Sky Sports activities as they compete throughout the grass-court season.
- Stuttgart Open (ATP 250 with Andy Murray in motion) – June 10-16
- Rosmalen Open (ATP/WTA 250) – June 10-16
Watch the WTA and ATP Excursions all through 2024 on Sky Sports activities Tennis. Stream Sky Sports activities Tennis and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
