The Storm Hunter qualifier is one of four Australians set to compete on the opening day of Roland Garros.
Paris, France, May 28, 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Storm Hunter will look to continue their impressive streak as the Roland Garros main draw begins today.
The 28-year-old, who won three qualifying rounds this week to earn a spot in the draw, is one of four Australian contenders set to compete on the opening day in Paris.
Hunter is joined by Jason Kubler, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Kimberly Birrell for the first round of singles.
Roland Garros is broadcast live in Australia on Nine Network and Stan Sport, with coverage starting at 6:30pm AEST.
Australians in action on day one:
(Q) Stormhunter (AUS) against Nuria Parrizas Diaz (ESP)
Women’s Singles, First Round, Court 8, First Game (from 19:00 AEST)
This is a matchup between two late-blooming rivals who have made their second main draw at Roland Garros and each is looking for his first main draw victory in Paris. World No.204 Hunter has impressive momentum in this match bearing won three eliminations without losing a set. The 28-year-old Australian also holds a win record against world No. 94 Parrizas Diaz, the 31-year-old Spaniard, who last year reached a career high of No. 45.
Head-to-head record: Hunter leads 1-0
Last meeting: Hunter won 4-6 6-3 6-1 (Prague, July 2021)
> SEE: Roland Garros women’s singles draw 2023
(WC) Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v (20) Dan Evans (UK)
Men’s singles, first round, Kort 7, second match
Entering the main draw for the fourth time, No. 108 Kokkinakis faces a tough first round test. The 27-year-old Australian wildcard, whose best performance in Paris was a third-round appearance in 2015, meets No. 20 seed Evans. The 33-year-old Briton is a shrewd competitor, but has only made it past the first round of Roland Garros once before. Kokkinakis may also build confidence after six wins on European clay this season, bringing his 2023 all-surface record to 23 wins from 35 matches.
Head-to-head record: Tie 1-all
Last meeting: Evans won 4-6 7-6(1) 7-6(5) (Nottingham, June 2021)
Jason Kubler (AUS) v (LL) Facundo Diaz Acosta (ARG)
Men’s Singles, First Round, Kort 8, Second Match
A year after his debut at Roland Garros as the No. 160 qualifier, Kubler returns as world No. 69. The 30-year-old has been a consistent performer over the past year, reaching at least the second round in his last four Grand Slam tournaments. He will be looking to continue this streak against left-handed Diaz Acosta, a 22-year-old from Argentina who makes his Grand Slam main draw debut as a lucky loser. The world number 137 recently won two clay court ATP Challenger titles and won 12 of his last 13 games.
Head-to-head: First meeting
> SEE: Roland Garros 2023 men’s singles draw
(WC) Kimberly Birrell (AUS) v (CM) Leolia Jeanjean (FRA)
Women’s singles, first round, court 14, third game
Last year at this time Birrell finished 483rd and watched Roland Garros from a distance. The 25-year-old from the Gold Coast has skyrocketed in the rankings in the last 12 months and is now ranked 110th in his career. The resurgent Birrell, who has overcome multiple setbacks from her elbow surgery, will make her main draw debut in Paris against a French wildcard. Jeanjean, 27, is ranked 124th and eliminated eighth seed Karolina Pliskova in an amazing performance in the third round of Roland Garros last year.
Head-to-head: First meeting
> SEE: Roland Garros 2023 Day One Full Schedule
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