Day 5 RG Surprises: Hoang wins again; teens take a stand

By Nina PanticPublished May 30, 2019

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

Hoang Carrys On

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 30: Antoine Hoang of France plays a forehand during his mens singles second round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during Day five of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 30, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Wild card Frenchman Antoine Hoang continued his unexpected run with a four-set win over Fernando Verdasco. The world No. 146 had a 1-3 ATP record in 2019 going into Roland Garros, playing mostly on the Challenger and ITF tours during his career. This week marked his first-ever main-draw Grand Slam match.

Youth Movement

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 30: Amanda Anisimova of The United States plays a forehand during her ladies singles second round match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during Day five of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 30, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) — © 2019 Getty Images

Two 17-year-old's made some huge statements on Thursday in Paris. Amanda Anisimova dismissed world No. 11 Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4, 6-2, clearing her section of any seeds until the quarterfinals. Poland's Iga Swiatek has lost just six games in her first two rounds. The 17-year-old turns 18 on Friday. Ranked No. 104, she's making her Roland Garros debut.

Garcia Falls Apart

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 30: Caroline Garcia of France leaves the court following defeat during her ladies singles second round match against Anna Blinkova of Russia during Day five of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 30, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

French No. 1 Caroline Garcia looked well on her way to the third round against Anna Blinkova. She was up 3-0 and 4-2 in the third set and lost 16 of the next 21 points to lose 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. There are no French women in the third round of the Slam.

Zverev Looks Stronger

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 30: Alexander Zverev of Germany serves during his mens singles second round match against Mikael Ymer of Sweden during Day five of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 30, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Alexander Zverev had a much-needed good day in the office in beating 20-year-old Mikael Ymer, 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (3). Though the German endured a slump for three long months during the spring, he did win the title in Geneva. "Everybody keeps on saying I had a tough year. I mean, I'm still No. 5 in the world," Zverev said. "Somebody's having a tough year is probably outside of the Top 50 or something like that."

Del Potro Limps On

Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro (L) congratulates Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka (R) after winning their men's singles second round match on day five of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 30, 2019. (Photo by Philippe LOPEZ / AFP) (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images) — © AFP/Getty Images

It's not surprising that Juan Martin del Potro is still dealing with a right knee injury after fracturing his kneecap last October. It is surprising that he managed to survive a brutal five-setter against Yoshihito Nishioka. Despite needing treatment on his knee, Del Potro didn't give up.

Follow Nina on Twitter @ninapantic1.