Day 1 RG Surprises: Kerber falls; bagel sets come plentiful

By Nina PanticPublished May 26, 2019

Each day of Roland Garros, Baseline will sum up the action with a photo gallery of the top surprises.

Kerber Tumbles Out

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 26: Angelique Kerber of Germany leaves the court following defeat in her ladies singles first round match against Anastasia Potapova of Russia during Day one of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 26, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

The German was seeded No. 5 and fell meekly 6-4, 6-2 to No. 81-ranked teenager Anastasia Potapova. Angelique Kerber didn't get a lot of clay-court matches in this season due to an ankle injury. She potentially could have regained the No. 1 ranking this fortnight.

Goffin's Great Start

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 26: David Goffin of Belgium serves during his mens singles first round match against Ricardas Berakis of Lithuania during Day one of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 26, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

David Goffin is seeded No. 27, but still, losing just four games in his opening match was impressive. The Belgian demolished Ricardas Berankis, 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 in 1 hour and 24 minutes. Goffin wasn't the only ATP player to deliver bagels on Day 1 as Dimitrov, Leonard Mayer, lucky loser Oscar Otte and Casper Ruud all played flawless 6-0 sets in their respective wins. None of the completed women's sets ended with a 0.

Felix Pulls Out

Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime answers question during a press conference after withdrawing from the French Open tennis tournament with a groom injury, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Sunday, May 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) — © Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Since Lyon wasn't on everyone's radar it came as a shock when Felix Auger-Aliassime pulled out of his Roland Garros debut. The Canadian was dealing with a groin injury he sustained in the semifinals of Lyon, before losing to Benoit Paire in the final. He's ranked No. 22 having never finished a Grand Slam main-draw match.

Dimitrov Survives

Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov reacts and celebrates after winning against Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic at the end of their men's singles first round match on day 1 of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 26, 2019. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP) (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images) — © AFP/Getty Images

The Bulgarian enters the major ranked No. 47, but was still the favorite against the often-injured Janko Tipsarevic. Grigor Dimitrov was up two-sets-and-a-break, having won 11 games in a row, when he came apart. He was lucky to escape as Tisparevic struggled physically, especially in the fifth. Going into Paris, Dimitrov's record was 10-7.

Venus Demurely Exists

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 26: Venus Williams of The United States ahead of her ladies singles first round match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine during Day one of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 26, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Barely putting up a fight, Venus Williams lost in the first round of Roland Garros for the fifth time in her career. In her defense, she was facing Elina Svitolina, the No. 9 seed. Still fans expected a lot more drama than a 6-3, 6-3 scoreline. With the win, Svitolina ended a four-match losing streak.

Follow Nina on Twitter @ninapantic1.