French Open 2020: Jurij Rodionov makes major debut with insane comeback victory
Jurij Rodionov will not forget this major premiere: The Austrian qualifier came back from a 0_2 set deficit against veteran Jeremy Chardy, initially awarded four match points - and in the end won 4: 6, 3: 6, 7: 6 (6) , 6: 3 and 10: 8.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Sep 27, 2020, 06:07 pm
For a long time it looked like a clear matter for the favored local hero, after winning the first two sets, Chardy hit the match in the third, Rodionov wanted to enjoy his premiere at a Grand Slam tournament a little longer. And not only won the tie-break of the third round, but also the entire fourth.
In the fifth set it looked like Rodionov was on the sure road to victory. He managed a break to make it 1-0, missed two chances to make it 4-1, and hit the target at 5: 4 to move into the second round. And was too passive with both of them. Chardy equalized at the last possible time. But Rodionov put in again, 3:57 hours had just played. At the last regular change of sides of the match, the Austrian did not even sit on his chair, he was so upset in extremely difficult conditions. And after three games in qualification.
At 6: 5 Chardy started as a setback with a 0:30 - Rodionov showed strong nerves, scored three points in a row, got the next match point. Chardy smashed the line. Rodionov forgave match point number four with a double fault. Chardy equalized. Tiebreak, however, is not played in the fifth set in Paris. Rodionov had another chance to break, Chardy fended off with a shot in the stomach. Rodionov acknowledged the 6: 7 with a bat throw.
But Rodionov worked the next break, to 9: 8. Rodionov organized match point number five with an ace. Chardry fended off. Rodionov put number six on the net without any need. Number seven, however, landed from Chardy's bat.
Here is the single tableau at the French Open
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