Paris, France, 2 June 2021 | Leigh Rogers

If anyone understands the value in patience, it is Australia’s James Duckworth.

The 29-year-old has persevered through eight surgeries to continue chasing his tennis dreams – and today, he was rewarded with a new career-first.

Duckworth scored a 6-4 3-6 7-6(4) 6-2 victory against Italian Salvatore Caruso, his first-ever main draw win at Roland Garros.

“I’m pumped,” said Duckworth, who recalled losing after holding a match point in the 2015 first round.

“That’s why you’ve got to savour them when they come.”

https://twitter.com/wwos/status/1399739199624941581?s=20

The world No.101 entered the tournament with a 0-5 win-loss record in Paris. That losing streak is now over though, with Duckworth hitting 49 winners in a three-hour and 29-minute victory against world No.82-ranked Caruso.

Solid serving was key for Duckworth, who won 78 per cent of points on his first serve and saved 21 break points throughout the match.

Duckworth is now aiming to progress to the third round at a major for the first time in his career. His next opponent is Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis, the world No.93 who eliminated No.29 seed and local hope Ugo Humbert in the opening round.

It’s been an outstanding day for Australian players in Paris, with Alex de Minaur, Ash Barty and Astra Sharma also advancing to the second round.

“It’s great that we Aussies were all able to get a win today,” Duckworth said. “Hopefully, we can keep it rolling.”

> READ: Barty survives first-round test

Aussies in action – Roland Garros

TODAY’S RESULTS
Men’s singles, first round
James Duckworth (AUS) d Salvatore Caruso (ITA) 6-4 3-6 7-6(4) 6-2
[21] Alex de Minaur (AUS) d Stefano Travaglia (ITA) 6-2 6-4 7-6(4)
[3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) d Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 6-3 6-2 7-6(3)

Women’s singles, first round
[1] Ash Barty (AUS) d Bernarda Pera (USA) 6-4 3-6 6-2
[WC] Astra Sharma (AUS) d [Q] Irina Bara (ROU) 7-6(5) 6-2

COMING UP
Men’s singles, second round
[21] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v Marco Cecchinato (ITA)
James Duckworth (AUS) v Ricardas Berankis (LTU)

> VIEW: Full Roland Garros men’s singles draw

Women’s singles, second round
[1] Ash Barty (AUS) v Magda Linette (POL)
Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v [31] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)
[WC] Astra Sharma (AUS) v [25] Ons Jabeur (TUN)

> VIEW: Full Roland Garros women’s singles draw

Men’s doubles, first round
[10] John Peers (AUS)/Michael Venus (NZL) v [WC] Benjamin Bonzi (FRA)/Antoine Hoang (FRA)
Max Purcell (AUS)/Luke Saville (AUS) v [WC] Gregoire Barrere (FRA)/Albano Olivetti (FRA)
Matt Ebden (AUS)/John-Patrick Smith (AUS) v Robin Haase (NED)/Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
Alex de Minaur (AUS)/Matt Reid (AUS) v Federico Delbonis (ARG)/Divij Sharan (IND)
Alexei Popyrin (AUS)/Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Tomislav Brkic (BIH)/Nikola Cacic (SRB)

Women’s doubles, first round
[13] Ellen Perez (AUS)/Zheng Saisai (CHN) v Cori Gauff (USA)/Venus Williams (USA)
[15] Ash Barty (AUS)/Jennifer Brady (USA) v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)/Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
Arina Rodionova (AUS)/Lyudmyla Kichenok (UKR) v [16] Nadiia Kichenok (UKR)/Raluca Olaru (ROU)
Storm Sanders (AUS)/Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS)/Yana Sizikova (RUS)
Astra Sharma (AUS)/Hayley Carter (USA) v Vivian Heisen (GER)/Kveta Peschke (CZE)

> TV GUIDE: How to watch Roland Garros