Day 3 RG Surprises: Favorites struggle; France powers on

By Nina PanticPublished May 28, 2019

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

Favorites Drop Sets

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 28: Simona Halep of Romania plays a forehand during her ladies singles first round match against Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia during Day three of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Simona Halep and Naomi Osaka are both considered huge threats for the title, and both lost sets in their first rounds on Tuesday. Osaka started especially poorly by losing the first six games to Anna Karolína Schmiedlova before winning, 0-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1. Halep was challenged by Ajla Tomljanovic, but also came out confident in the third set, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.

Ostapenko Doubles Out

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 28: Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia serves during her ladies singles first round match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during Day three of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Jelena Ostapenko hitting 17 doubles faults on Tuesday against Victoria Azarenka was more than a little surprising. The 21-year-old won the Roland Garros crown just two years ago, but just couldn't get it together in her service games. She challenged Victoria Azarenka, but lost, 6-4, 7-6 (4).

Murray and Soares Split

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - APRIL 20: Jamie Murray of Great Britain and Bruno Soares of Brazil prior to serving against Robin Haase and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands in their semifinal match during day seven of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 20, 2019 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

After winning 10 titles together, including two Grand Slams in 2016, Bruno Soares and Jamie Murray have ended their partnership. Murray announced the news after their first-round loss on Tuesday to Lorenzo Sonego and Matteo Berrettini, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4). Soares will next team with Mate Pavic, while Murray joins up with Neal Skupski.

Fritz Dominates

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 28: Taylor Fritz of The United States plays a forehand during his mens singles first round match against Bernard Tomic of Australia during Day three of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Taylor Fritz seems to have really found his footing on clay. The American dismissed Bernard Tomic, 6-1, 6-4, 6-1. Fritz recently reached the semifinals in Lyon, and the round of 32 in both Rome and Madrid. To the surprise of no one, Tomic's press conference was a rough one:

Q: Nick said that he didn't like the French [Open] at all.

Tomic: I agree.

Q. What's your plans now?

Tomic: I go to the hotel.

Frenchmen Fare Nearly Flawless

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 28: Gael Monfils of France plays a backhand during his mens singles first round match against Taro Daniel of Japan during Day three of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Gael Monfils and Lucas Pouille took care of business, as their seeding would have suggested, but an unseeded Adrian Mannarino scored a five-set win. Wild cards Gregorie Barrerre and Antoine Hoang won as well, as did 20-year-old qualifier Elliot Benchetrit. The only French male to lose on Tuesday was Jeremy Chardy, in five sets to Kyle Edmund,

Follow Nina on Twitter @ninapantic1.