Tsonga Survives Scare To Advance

Fifth seed, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga came from a set down to beat world number 160 Andrey Kuznetsov 1-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 at the French Open.

Kuznetsov threatened an upset, winning five games in a row to take the first set, but the Frenchman responded to avoid an upset.

 Ninth seed Juan Martin del Potro also survived a scare to beat Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-1.

Andy Roddick, the 26th seed, lost 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-2 to Nicolas Mahut.

“You can’t fake it out here,” said American Roddick. “I move horrendously out here. My first step is just so bad on this stuff.

“I feel like I’m always shuffling or hopping or not stopping or something. My footwork on this stuff is really bad.

“You know, there are a lot of guys who know how to play on clay, and it’s just second nature to them. I feel that way on grass, so hopefully I can turn it around there.”

Tsonga declared last week that no Frenchman could win Roland Garros this year but he ensured he remained in with a chance.

After losing the first set he bounced back and broke his opponent once in the second, an advantage which was enough to take it 6-3.

He continued to up his game and won the remaining sets to ensure a second-round meeting with German Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, who won through after his opponent Joao Souza was forced to pull out midway through the second set.