(May 25, 2025) Tommy Paul of the United States rallied past lucky loser Elmer Moller 6-7, 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the second round of the French Open.
He’s into the second round for the fifth time in his career, and will take on Marton Fucsovics, who defeated wild card Tristan Schoolkate 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in the second round.
The 12th seed had his truck repossessed while playing the Italian Open because he forgot to adjust his automated payments since changing banks.
“I missed, I think it was, like three payments,” he said.” They came and took it. I didn’t know it happened like that. I didn’t know how quick they would come and grab it — like in the middle of the night,” Paul said. “Now I’m watching all these ‘repo’ shows, where they come in and swoop trucks at 1 in the morning. It’s definitely a funny experience. To be in Europe while it happened is even crazier. But we did get it back.”
He watched the footage of his security camera to see his truck taken away.
“I’m like, ‘What the hell is going on? There’s a tow truck coming and taking my car!’ I thought it was stolen at first,” he said.
The last time an American male won a major tournament was Andy Roddick in 2003 when he captured the US Open.
Paul says that Americans have not closed the gap on European players.
“We haven’t closed the gap because none of us have won a Grand Slam. There’s still a lot of really good Europeans ranked ahead of us. I wouldn’t say the gap has closed. Over the past six years or so, we’ve definitely made it smaller,” Paul said.
No. 31 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France was supported by a very vocal home crowd on Court Suzanne Lenglen to rally past Zizou Bergs 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-4 on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Mpetshi Perricard trailed 0/5 in the second-set tie-break, but reeled off seven straight points to capture the third set tiebreak.
“At 0/5, I tried to make it back little by little,” said Mpetshi Perricard. “I tried to go point by point, then at 5/5, 6/5, with the whole crowd behind me I felt [great]. It was a tough match, physically, so I will do my best to be ready for Wednesday.”
No. 15 Frances Tiafoe is through to the second round after a straight-sets victory over Roman Safiullin 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
Closing out play in the night session was No. 13 Ben Shelton rallying to beat Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 win on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
”This was a tough one for sure,” Shelton said. “I played him in the quarters in Australia and I know he is a big-match player, a Grand Slam player and you guys saw some hot shots tonight and some crazy tennis from him. For me, I thought the crowd was great. It was my first time being out here on Court Philippe-Chatrier and it will not be one that I forget.”
A pair of men’s seeds lost on Sunday – No. 32 Alex Michelsen and No. 28 Brandon Nakashima.
