#NextGenATP Ruud, Opelka Advance At Roland Garros Qualifying

More than a handful of #NextGenATP players advanced a step closer to the Roland Garros main draw on Monday during day one of qualifying in Paris.

Norwegian Casper Ruud, a semi-finalist in Rio earlier this year, made quick work of Belgian Yannik Reuter, advancing 6-3, 6-2 in 67 minutes. The 18-year-old Ruud is trying to make his Grand Slam debut.

American Reilly Opelka, seeking to qualify at Roland Garros for the first time, hit 14 aces to beat Spain’s Daniel Munoz de la Nava 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4. Opelka made his Grand Slam debut earlier this year by qualifying at the Australian Open.

Opelka’s countryman 19-year-old Stefan Kozlov also advanced, prevailing against France’s Corentin Moutet 2-6, 7-5, 6-4. Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas came back from a set down to down sixth seed Thomas Fabbiano of Italy 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Russian Andrey Rublev won 81 per cent of his first-serve points to dismiss Argentina’s Agustin Velotti 6-1, 6-3. Alexander Bublik battled past Egypt’s Mohamed Safwat 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1 in just under two hours.