Arthur Rinderknech, 73rd in the world and the last Frenchman in the tournament, was eliminated on Saturday in the third round of the US Open by the Russian Andrey Rublev (8th) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5.
Of the 24 Habs engaged in the main draws at Flushing Meadows, they were four (Rinderknech, Mannarino, Bonzi for men, Burel for women) to be able to go to the second week, but none did.
No French player has therefore reached the knockout stages of the men’s Grand Slam table this season, a collective underperformance which had only happened in 2021 and 1978 in recent history.
“I had never played against Arthur and I was not sure who to expect, except that I had seen on TV that he had a big forehand. I am happy to have turned the tide and to have won,” commented the 25-year-old Russian.
Tormented by his wrist last year, Rinderknech had chained on a Covid in December, mononucleosis in January and February of this year, then pubalgia. But against Rublev, he had all his means.
From the first set, the Frenchman managed a white break to lead 3-2 then 4-2. Rublev broke straight away, but failed to save his next face-off, allowing Rinderknech to serve for the set at 5-3. Solid, the French pocketed the sleeve.
But then the tide turned. Rublev earned the break to lead 4-2 and confirmed at 5-2. He served at 5-3 to tie one innings all. Rinderknech then seemed to lose his footing and even offered the third set on a double fault.
However, the fourth round was the most hooked. Both players held their face-off until 5-5, Rinderknech saving three match points at 5-4.
But after having an equalizer at 6-6, he conceded a fourth match point on which he bowed.
“I’m happy because since the start of the tournament I’ve beaten very good players,” said Rublev, who notably beat Gael Monfils in the second round.
He also stressed that his next opponent, the Briton Jack Draper (123rd), would also be “very difficult to beat”.
