German joins Fratangelo and Daniel in final-round Roland-Garros qualifying triumphs
© Nicolas Gouhier / FFTIf you’ve played Rafael Nadal on Court Philippe-Chatrier, it tends to stick in your mind.
For Maximilian Marterer, it was the perfect homework before completing a successful qualifying campaign at Roland-Garros 2021.
On Thursday, memories of that career-best run at a major inspired the German as he earned his return ticket to the main draw 6-2, 6-1 over Brazilian Felipe Meligeni Rodrigues Alves.
“I watched the highlights the day before qualies started as motivation," Marterer said, as he recalled Nadal's 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4) fourth-round victory against him in 2018.
“I wanted to see how I was playing that day, to make me remember how well I could play, to fire me up. I have it all in my head.
"I remember how nervous and tight I was in the beginning when I was walking on court with him. But also, after a great fight particularly in the third set tie-break, I’ll never forget the memory of the handshake. It’s often in my mind when I think of Roland-Garros."
>> RESULTS FROM DAY FOUR OF QUALIFYING
Returning to those grounds in Paris provides the world No.214 with an extra spring in his step.
“Whenever I think of my career it’s still the biggest success so far so it always gives me a boost to return here. It’s great my best tennis of 2021 so far has been here,” he said.
“It’s been a great couple of days here, something felt different right from the beginning, I was smooth. I feel like my game went up a level every time I progressed, so I'm very happy to get through.”
A tattoo inked inside Bjorn Fratangelo’s right bicep reads “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will,” a quote that helps him through a few matches.
That was certainly the case at Roland-Garros this week.
The American has returned to the main draw for the first time since 2017, overcoming a severe and persistent foot injury to rebuild his game and belief.
“I’m very excited, I think all three matches have been pretty good for me. I came in here with pretty decent form,” said the 27-year-old, who reached the Tallahassee Challenger final last month on clay.
“I feel like I’m finally back to my level, maybe even higher. I had times before where I’d wake up and struggle to walk sometimes. I was shut down after US Open 2019 and only played a handful of events in 2020. It was difficult, I got very down.
© Julien Crosnier/FFT“Now the body feels great and I’ve bounced back. I feel as comfortable in my game and in myself as I’ve ever felt. Hopefully this latter half of my career will be better.”
The world No.127, overcoming Australian Aleksandar Vukic 6-2, 7-6(3), capped his main draw move 10 years after taking home the junior title at Roland-Garros.
“I have so many fond memories, it was a great stepping stone, but pro tennis is a different animal,” said Fratangelo, who defeated Dominic Thiem in that junior final back in 2011. “I do feel at home here for sure.”
The 27-year-old’s other half, fellow tennis pro Madison Keys, was courtside to witness his triumph on Thursday.
“It’s great to have her in my corner and she feels the same way," he said. "We don’t talk about tennis too much, but we can. Each person knows what we’re going through. We actually hit on site here a couple of days ago so it’s nice to share these experiences with her too.”
Fifth seed Taro Daniel matched Fratangelo as he returned to the main draw for the first time since 2017 with a 7-6(6), 6-1 scoreline against French hope Quentin Halys.
There was also double Spanish success as 14th seed Bernabe Zapata Miralles defeated Marc Polmans 6-4, 6-0, and Carlos Taberner joined his countryman, dropping just one game to Joao Menezes.
ROLAND-GARROS
20 May - 9 June 2024
