By Tony Fairbairn & Ros Satar
- All Brits were eliminated in singles by the end of the first week at Roland Garros but how was their overall clay court season?
- Men’s Singles: Cameron Norrie [14], Dan Evans [20], Jack Draper, Andy Murray, Kyle Edmund [PR], Liam Broady, Ryan Peniston, Jan Choinski
- Women’s Singles: Harriet Dart, Emma Raducanu, Katie Swan, Katie Boulter, Yuriko Lily Miyazaki, Jodie Burrage, Francesca Jones
PARIS, FRANCE – Cameron Norrie was the last Brit standing in singles at Roland Garros after exiting before the second week but how did the Brits fare over the clay court season?
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Another disappointing tournament for the Brits at Roland Garros as there was no singles representation in the second week. However there were positives for some players to take into the grass court season while other players suffered injuries or fitness issues. Taking that into account, it’s time to review the clay court season and see which players have the momentum heading into Wimbledon.
Men’s Singles
Cameron Norrie [14]
It was a fairly disappointing clay court season for Cameron Norrie who failed to win back-to-back matches in his first three clay court events. The Brit eventually built up some gradual confidence in Rome and Lyon, even if he didn’t defend the title at the latter of the two events. Norrie showed great fighting spirit and form in his opening two matches but his comprehensive defeat to Lorenzo Musetti was proof that the Brit needs to improve his control over matches heading into Wimbledon, where he looks to match his semi-final performance from last year.
2023 Clay Court Results:
ATP Monte-Carlo:
- R1: Francisco Cerundolo 3-6 4-6
ATP Barcelona:
- R2: Pavel Kotov 6-1 6-2
- R3: Lorenzo Musetti 6-3 4-6 1-6
ATP Madrid:
- R2: Yosuke Watanuki 6-4 7-6(5)
- R3: Zhizhen Zhang 6-2 6-7(2) 6-7(2)
ATP Rome:
- R2: Alexandre Muller 6-2 6-3
- R3: Marton Fucsovics 6-2 7-6(4)
- R4: Novak Djokovic 3-6 4-6
ATP Lyon:
- R2: David Goffin 6-3 6-4
- QF: Sebastian Baez 6-2 2-6 6-1
- SF: Francisco Cerundolo 3-6 0-6
Roland Garros:
- R1: Benoit Paire 7-5 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-4
- R2: Lucas Pouille 6-1 6-3 6-3
- R3: Lorenzo Musetti 1-6 2-6 4-6
Dan Evans [20]
It was a surprisingly good start to the clay court season for Dan Evans after reaching the semi-finals in Marrakech which was followed by three wins in Barcelona. However three consecutive losses has given Evans something to think about heading into the grass court season as his Roland Garros record continues to get worse.
2023 Clay Court Results:
ATP Marrakech:
- R2: Alexei Popyrin 6-1 6-3
- QF: Andrea Vavassori 6-3 7-5
- SF: Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2 4-6 2-6
ATP Monte-Carlo:
- R1: Ilya Ivashka 6-2 2-6 3-6
ATP Barcelona:
- R2: Matteo Arnaldi 6-4 6-3
- R3: Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-4
- QF: Francisco Cerundolo 2-6 7-5 6-3
- SF: Carlos Alcaraz 2-6 2-6
ATP Madrid:
- R2: Bernabe Zapata Miralles 3-6 2-6
ATP Rome:
- R2: Roberto Carballes Baena 6-7(5) 7-5 6-4
Roland Garros:
- R1: Thanasi Kokkinakis 4-6 4-6 4-6
Jack Draper
Jack Draper’s clay court season once again exposed his main weakness which is his lack of consistent fitness as he withdrew from multiple clay court events. An encouraging week in Lyon was then followed by another retirement at Roland Garros which now means the Brit will miss Wimbledon and will hope with time, his body can mature as his talent is unquestionable.
2023 Clay Court Results:
ATP Monte-Carlo:
- R1: Sebastian Baez 6-3 7-5
- R2: Hubert Hurkacz 3-6 7-6(3) 5-7
ATP Lyon:
- R1: Alexandre Muller 6-2 6-3
- R2: Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4 7-5
- QF: Francisco Cerundolo 6-4 4-6 3-6
Roland Garros:
- R1: Tomas Martin Etcheverry 4-6 0-1 RET
Andy Murray
Andy Murray aimed to give clay an attempt as he looked to play at least one more Roland Garros before the end of his career. A challenger title in France gave him some hope of clay court success however some poor losses in Madrid and Rome meant that Murray gave up on his Roland Garros hopes as he looks to make a deep run at Wimbledon.
2023 Clay Court Results:
ATP Monte-Carlo:
- R1: Alex De Minaur 1-6 3-6
ATP Madrid:
- R1: Andrea Vavassori 2-6 6-7(7)
Aix en Provence Challenger:
- R1: Gael Monfils 6-3 6-2
- R2: Laurent Lokoli 6-4 5-7 6-3
- QF: Luca Van Assche 6-2 7-6(6)
- SF: Harold Mayot 7-5 6-1
- Final: Tommy Paul 2-6 6-1 6-2
ATP Rome:
- R1: Fabio Fognini 6-4 4-6 6-4
Bordeaux Challenger:
- R1: Stan Wawrinka 3-6 0-6
Kyle Edmund [PR]
Just like Murray, Kyle Edmund also gave the clay court season an attempt with some encouraging performances shown. However an injury in an ITF event before Roland Garros signalled the end of Edmund’s clay court season as he will look to make an impression and gain some much needed ranking points on the grass.
2023 Clay Court Results:
Murcia Challenger
- R1: Marco Trungelliti 6-1 3-6 3-6
ITF Santa Margherita di Paula:
- R1: Alejo Lorenzo Lingua Lavallen 7-6(5) 6-1
- R2: Mathys Erhard 7-6(5) 3-6 6-1
- QF: Pietro Marino 6-2 5-7 3-6
ATP Munich:
- R1: Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-7(3) 6-4 3-6
ATP Madrid:
- R1: Dominic Thiem 4-6 1-6
ATP Rome:
- R1: Alexandre Muller 1-6 3-6
ITF Reggio Emilia:
- R1: Lorenzo Rottoli 6-0 7-6(7)
- R2: Remy Bertola 6-2 6-2
- QF: Terence Atmane 7-6(2) 6-4
- SF: Julian Ocleppo 3-2 RET
Liam Broady
Liam Broady gained experience on playing on the ATP tour during the clay court season but fell short of qualifying for Roland Garros. Now Broady looks to rediscover his form ahead of Wimbledon where he made the third round for the first time last year.
2023 Clay Court Results:
ATP Banja Luka:
- QR1: Valentin Vacherot 6-3 6-1
- QR2: Dino Prizimic 5-7 3-6
- R1: Damir Dzumhur 3-6 0-6
Tunis Challenger:
- R1: Alexander Weis 0-6 7-5 3-6
Roland Garros:
- QR1: Arthur Gea 4-6 6-4 6-3
- QR2: Emilio Nava 4-6 6-0 3-6
Ryan Peniston
It was a frustrating clay court season for Ryan Peniston who will now look to defend his grass court ranking points that he won at Queen’s Club and Eastbourne last year.
2023 Clay Court Results:
Zadar Challenger:
- R1: Zsombor Piros 4-6 4-6
Sanremo Challenger:
- R1: Luca Van Assche 6-2 3-6 2-6
ATP Estoril:
- QR1: Henrique Rocha 4-6 1-6
Ostrava Challenger:
- R1: Jakub Mensik 2-6 3-6
Prague Challenger:
- QR1: Andrew Paulson 6-2 5-7 1-6
ATP Rome:
- QR1: Arthur Fils 6-2 4-6 7-6(4)
Bordeaux Challenger:
- R1: Thanasi Kokkinakis 5-7 4-6
Roland Garros:
- QR1: Altug Celikbilek 6-4 6-2
- QR2: Radu Albot 6-3 2-6 4-6
Jan Choinski
Jan Choinski had some good success on the challenger circuit but would have ultimately been disappointed with not qualifying for Roland Garros given that clay is one of his stronger surfaces.
2023 Clay Court Results:
ITF Anapoima:
- R1: Enrique Pena 6-1 6-1
- R2: Alex Barrena 3-6 6-2 5-7
ITF Mosquera:
- R1: Juan Sebastian Osorio 6-4 7-5
- R2: Thijmen Loof 7-6(5) 7-5
- QF: Johan Alexander Rodriguez 4-6 6-3 6-7(9)
Mexico City Challenger:
- R1: Alexis Galarneau 6-2 6-2
- R2: Daniel Elahi Galan 4-6 6-3 6-2
- QF: Enzo Couacaud 6-1 6-2
- SF: Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-7(5) 6-4 4-6
San Luis Potosi Challenger:
- R1: Facundo Mena 4-6 7-5 6-2
- R2: Joao Lucas Reis Da Silva 7-5 7-5
- QF: Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-4 6-4
- SF: Dominik Koepfer 3-6 3-6
ATP Madrid:
- QR1: Borna Gojo 3-6 2-6
Prague Challenger:
- QR1: Billy Harris 6-4 6-4
- QR2: Rudolf Molleker 6-0 6-3
- R1: Filip Krajinovic 4-6 6-4 2-6
ATP Rome:
- QR1: Jurij Rodionov 2-6 6-1 6-2
- QR2: Thanasi Kokkinakis 2-6 2-6
Oeiras Challenger:
- R1: Alessandro Giannessi 6-3 4-6 6-4
- R2: Radu Albot 6-7(3) 4-6
Roland Garros:
- QR1: Nicolas Kicker 2-6 6-3 2-0 RET
- QR2: Sebastian Ofner 6-3 4-6 0-6
Women’s Singles
Harriet Dart
It was an unsuccessful clay court season for Harriet Dart who will look to improve her form on the grass courts as she looks to reclaim her place in the world’s top 100.
2023 Clay Court Results:
WTA Rome:
- QR1: Priscilla Hon 6-1 2-6 2-6
ITF Bodrum:
- R1: Ksenia Zaytseva 3-6 1-6
Roland Garros:
- QR1: Katrina Scott 6-3 4-6 6-4
- QR2: Elsa Jacquemot 6-1 1-6 2-6
Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu will now focus on her rehabilitation after undergoing two wrist surgeries after Stuttgart as the Brit will look to be back in time for the US hard court swing.
2023 Clay Court Results:
WTA Stuttgart:
- R1: Jelena Ostapenko 2-6 1-6
Katie Swan
Katie Swan produced some encouraging performances on the clay that she will look to take into Wimbledon. However the Brit only won one match over the clay court season and that will be a concern heading into the grass court season.
2023 Clay Court Results:
ITF Chiasso:
- R1: Barbora Palicova 6-7(3) 4-6
ITF Istanbul:
- R1: Basak Eraydin 6-3 7-6(3)
- R2: Ekaterina Maklakova 2-6 6-7(2)
Saint Malo Challenger:
- R1: Freya Christie 6-2 5-7 3-6
Florence Challenger:
- R1: Jasmine Paolini 4-6 6-4 7-6(7)
Roland Garros:
- QR1: Clara Tauson 4-6 2-6
Katie Boulter
Despite not playing the majority of the clay court season, Katie Boulter will be encouraged by her two performances at Roland Garros as she now enters the grass court season as the new British number one.
Roland Garros:
- QR1: Nuria Brancaccio 6-2 4-6 6-4
- QR2: Ashlyn Krueger 2-6 6-2 7-6(10-6)
Yuriko Lily Miyazaki
Yuriko Lily Miyazaki will be hoping for better success on her favourite surface when she heads to the grass courts having only managed one win on clay.
2023 Clay Court Results:
WTA Charleston:
- QR1: Sabine Lisicki 1-6 6-7(5)
ITF Boca Raton:
- R1: Emma Navarro 4-6 3-6
ITF Charleston:
- R1: Emma Navarro 1-6 5-7
ITF Charlottesville:
- R1: Renata Zarazua 3-6 1-6
ITF Bonita Springs:
- R1: Victoria Hu 4-6 4-6
ITF Saint-Gaudens:
- R1: Laia Petretic 6-3 6-1
- R2: Alice Robbe 6-2 3-6 4-6
Roland Garros:
- R1: Ashlyn Krueger 2-6 4-6
Jodie Burrage
Jodie Burrage only played a couple of clay court events but gained two wins which should give her confidence heading into the grass court season where she will look to pick up where she left off last year.
2023 Clay Court Results:
WTA Madrid:
- QR1: Rosa Vicens Mas 3-6 1-6
- QR2: Sara Errani 7-6(7) 5-7 2-6
Saint Malo Challenger:
- R1: Carole Monnet 2-6 6-2 7-5
- R2: Greet Minnen 4-6 3-6
Francesca Jones
After a clay court season filled with amazing results including a run to the WTA Bogota semi-finals, Francesca Jones’ clay court season once again ended in heartbreak at Roland Garros as she looks to recover in time for Wimbledon.
2023 Clay Court Results:
ITF Anapoima:
- R1: Silvia Ambrosio 7-5 7-6(2)
- R2: Joanne Zuger 2-6 1-6
ITF Mosquera:
- R1: Maria Paulina Perez Garcia 6-3 6-3
- R2: Valeriya Strakhova 4-6 6-2 1-6
WTA Bogota:
- R1: Nuria Parrizas-Diaz 7-6(3) 6-1
- R2: Carol Zhao 6-2 6-1
- QF: Laura Pigossi 6-4 6-2
- SF: Tatjana Maria 3-6 4-6
ITF Guayaquil:
- R1: Romina Ccuno 6-2 6-0
- R2: Martina Capurro Taborda 6-0 7-5
- QF: Priska Madelyn Nugroho 3-1 RET
- SF: Xiaodi You 6-2 4-6 6-2
- Final: Julia Riera 2-6 5-7
ITF Guayaquil 2:
- R1: Rebeca Pereira 6-4 6-2
- R2: Marine Partaud 6-2 6-2
- QF: Sofia Sewing 6-2 2-6 7-6(5)
- SF: Solana Sierra – Withdrew
Roland Garros:
- QR1: Coco Vandeweghe 6-3 6-3
- QR2: Yiena In-Albon 1-4 RET
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Doubles, Wheelchair & Junior Results (Roland Garros)
Men’s Doubles
The best performance at Roland Garros in the main events came from top seeds Neal Skupski with Wesley Koolhof, who made it to the quarter-finals. they figured prominently in quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals throughout the clay court season.
There were also lead-up titles and finals for Joe Salisbury with Rajeev Ram, and Jamie Murray with Michael Venus, with a title for Lloyd Glasspool with Harri Heliovaara at Challenger level.
QF: Wesley Kolhof/NEAL SKUPSKI [1]
R3: LLOYD GLASSPOOL/Harri Heliovaara [5]
R3: JAMIE MURRAY/Michael Venus [13]
R3: Rajeev Ram/JOE SALISBURY [2]
R1: JULIAN CASH/HENRY PATTEN
Women’s Doubles
Apart from semi-finals at ITF level, it was a first round exit for Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls.
Mixed Doubles
QF: LLOYD GLASSSPOOL/Asia Muhammad
Boys’ Singles
Henry Searle enjoyed a run to the quarter-finals, which is his best Grand Slam result to date having only competed in Wimbledon last year.
QF: Henry Searle
R1: Oliver Bonding
Girls’ Singles
Ella McDonald was competing at Roland Garros for the first time.
R3: Ella McDonald [13]
R2: Hannah Klugman
R1: Mingge Xu
R1: Ranah Stoiber [14]
Boys’ Doubles
R2: Reda Bannani/OLIVER BONDING
R2: Keegan Rice/HENRY SEARLE
Girls’ Doubles
QF: RANAH STOIBER/MINGGE XU
QF: Mara Gae/ELLA MCDONALD
R2: Emerson Jones/HANNAH KLUGMAN
Wheelchair Tennis
While Alfie Hewett could not quite make it over the line in the men’s singles, he and Gordon Reid continued their success with the men’s doubles title and Andy Lapthorne won the men’s doubles quad in a first time pairing with South Africa’s Donald Ramphadi.
Men’s Wheelchair Singles
F: Alfie Hewett [1]
QF: Gordon Reid
Men’s Wheelchair Doubles
Title: Alfie Hewett/Gordon Reid [1]
Women’s Wheelchair Doubles
QF: Dana Mathewson/LUCY SHUKER
Quad Wheelchair Singles
QF: Andy Lapthorne
Quad Wheelchair Doubles
Title: Andy Lapthorne/Donald Ramphadi
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