Roland Garros 2013 Day 1: Venus bows out after thriller

Venus fought her heart out but it wasn't quite enough

Roland Garros 2013 Day 1: Venus bows out after thriller

Day 1 at the 2013 French Open championships saw superb performances from former champions Serena Williams and Roger Federer as two former Grand Slam champions bowed out but not before showing considerable heart on the clay.

Now ranked 86th 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon winner Lleyton Hewitt displayed his customary guts and determination against 15th seeded Gilles Simon.  The 32 year-old Aussie initially led the Frenchman by two sets to love on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Simon, predictably, battled back and led 5-0 in the decider.  Hewitt survived two match points at 2-5 and miraculously levelled at 5-5.  Simon snuffed out dreams of a stunning Australian comeback by taking the final eight points of the match to come through 3-6 1-6 6-4 6-1 7-5.

Match of the Day - V.Williams (30) vs U.Radwanska (U)

Another former World No.1 and major champion featured in the match of the day later on Court Suzanne Lenglen as 30th seed Venus Williams took on Urszula Radwanska in the battle of the the tennis's lesser sisters.  Venus had little sister Serena watching courtside but Urszula's sister Agnieszka was preparing for her own first round clash.

The first set saw 10 breaks of serve before Radwanska opened a 6-1 lead in the tie-break. Williams clawed back to 5-6 only to net a backhand as the unseeded Pole took the lead.

The players again struggled on serve in the second set with eight games going to the returner.  Williams twice served for the set but was pegged back both times and Radwanska forced a second set tie-break.

The 22 year-old Pole opened a 4-0 advantage and appeared to be on course for a two set win before Williams rattled off seven straight points to level up and take the match into a decider.

 

Radwanska replicated her sister's victory over Williams in Paris last year

Radwanska moved clear with two breaks in the decider at 5-1 but 32 year-old Williams was not yet done.  The seven-time major champion broke Radwanska when she served for the match at 5-2 and held to get back to 4-5. 

Serving for the match a second time Radwanska saw Williams save a first match point with a forehand winner.  However on the second the American netted one final backhand and Radwanksa had come through a thrilling encounter 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-4 after a marathon three hours and 19 minutes.

Radwanska goes onto face German Dinah Pfizenmaier and could face big sister in round three.  Venus meanwhile displayed enough heart and determination to show she could still be a real danger on the grass next month.

If the women's draw can provide more gripping matches like this we will be in for a truly glorious championships.

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