James Duckworth Becomes First Player to Advance at French Open After Opponent Retires Injured

Australian tennis veteran James Duckworth is the first player to progress at this year’s French Open after Canadian rival Gabriel Diallo was forced to withdraw with an injury during their opening‑day clash at Roland‑Garros.

Duckworth, ranked 82nd in the world, looked sharp from the outset, taking the first set 6-3 in 43 minutes. He then surged to a 4-1 lead in the second set, while Diallo battling a lingering lower‑back issue and a recent cut finger struggled to keep pace. With his movement clearly compromised, the 24‑year‑old Canadian retired, handing Duckworth a place in the second round.

The Australian will next face either Rafael Jodar, the rising Spanish talent seeded 27th, or American Aleksandar Kovacevic, currently ranked 67th.

Earlier in the match, both players held serve comfortably before Duckworth broke Diallo to 15, capitalising on a pressured backhand error to move ahead 4-2 a momentum shift that set the tone for the remainder of the contest.

Duckworth, now 34, continues to show resilience on the big stage, and his early advancement gives Australia a promising start to the tournament.