Rainer Schuttler stumbles at the first hurdle - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Rainer Schuttler stumbles at the first hurdle

Rainer Schuttler became the highest-profile casualty in the men's draw at the French Open after losing 6-0, 6-0, 6-4 to Marc Gicquel of France.

Last year's Wimbledon semi-finalist never got into the match and Gicquel admitted the result was beyond his expectations.

"I don't think I could have done any better," he said. "I wanted to be focused on my match, and I knew he wasn't going to give anything away for free.

"He made me think that he was going to give me the third. I made a let service and remained focused. It can be over very quickly. If I had lost the third, anything can happen in best of five sets."

No4 seed Novak Djokovic was leading Nicolas Lapentti 6-3, 3-1 before the Ecuadorian was forced to retire injured after one hour and 18 minutes.

Djokovic will now face either Argentina's Brian Dabul or Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine on Thursday.

Comments

Don't Miss
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
What makes Chelsea and Arsenal target Eden Hazard tick?

Hazard warning

What makes Chelsea and Arsenal target Eden Hazard tick?
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music

Grandpa Bob

Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon