Vacherot survives Faurel scare to reach second round at Roland-Garros
Valentin Vacherot overcame a strong challenge from French qualifier Thomas Faurel to progress to the second round of Roland-Garros.
Valentin Vacherot battled past French outsider Thomas Faurel in four sets to reach the second round of Roland-Garros on Tuesday, overcoming a spirited challenge from the Cannes-based qualifier.
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The world No.19 and Shanghai Masters champion eventually secured a 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6) victory on Court Philippe-Chatrier after Faurel, playing in his first Grand Slam main draw, threatened an upset with a fearless display.
The 20-year-old Frenchman, who came through qualifying without dropping a set, saved eight of ten break points and pushed Vacherot all the way in a tense fourth-set tie-break before the Monégasque sealed victory with a crucial ace.
Vacherot will now face Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo in the next round.