Player of the day: Rodionov scores first major victory

Each day of Roland Garros Baseline will highlight one player's efforts for a job well done.

After four hours and 36 minutes on Sunday, Jurij Rodionov managed to keep calm to defeat world No.64 Jeremy Chardy 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (6) 6-4, 10-8 in the first round of Roland Garros. It marks Rodionov's first major showing and first tour-level win.

The Austrian qualifier trailed Chardy by two sets and it certainly appeared he would fall to the Frenchman, who has reached the fourth round at his home event on multiple occasions. However, Rodionov turned things up just enough to sneak past Chardy in the third set tiebreaker, fending off a match point in the process.

From there, the match wouldn't get any easier for Rodionov. He would serve for the match three times in the final set and see six match points evaporate before finally closing out the biggest win of his career. Roland Garros does not have a final set tiebreaker so the match carried on until 10-8.

Rodionov began his 2020 season on a strong note by winning an ATP Challenger event in Dallas, defeating Andreas Seppi and Denis Kudla along the way. He would also claim another ATP Challenger in Mexico before COVID-19 shut down the sport.

Before the 21-year-old's five set triumph on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, he claimed three consecutive qualifying matches and now he will vie for a spot in the event's third round against Norbert Gombos.

Quick Facts

1

Rodionov's opening round win is his first major and tour level win

'17

​Year the Austrian turned pro

166

His career-high ranking