(May 28, 2013) -- Parisians are known for being a fickle crowd. Especially at Roland Garros where they sometimes root for the player you least expect. But if there was one woman who could turn the hearts of her country people for and against and then back for her again, it would have to be
Marion Bartoli.
The No. 13 seed found her match against Belarus'
Olga Govortsova delayed for over two hours due to steady rain. But when both players finally got their match underway, it soon proved to be anything but a routine opening rounder for both.
Bartoli squeezed out the first set in a lengthy tiebreak that she took 10 points to 8. But Govortsova, with some big forehands of her own, didn't give in and soon took the second set.
The deciding set became a drawn out drama filled with tension and incredible shotmaking. Bartoli, who often stole nervous glances in the direction of her father and coach Walter Bartoli, found herself down 3-5. Not only was Bartoli battling her opponent, but the notoriously fickle Parisian crowd as well with many chanting out "Olga!" in hopes that the underdog would have her day.
After fighting off two match points, Bartoli broke Govortsova and soon leveled things at 5-all. With constant fist pumps after each point in an attempt to will herself to victory, Bartoli broke serve again to go up 6-5.
A roller coaster nine minute final game then ensued with each woman holding advantage. Bartoli soon got to her first match point, but double faulted sending a ripple of groans through the stadium. Govortsova had chances to take things to 6-all, but Bartoli fended her off and soon held her fifth match point.
Finally, after over three hours of play, Bartoli slammed down a big serve that Govortsova framed on her return sending the ball well long. A relieved Bartoli secured the 7-6(8), 4-6, 7-5 win sending her on into round two.
Stosur and Jankovic Advance
Two women who have both gone deep in the draw before at Roland Garros both earned solid first round wins.
Former finalist
Sam Stosur faced little resistance from 42-year-old ageless wonder
Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan. Stosur stormed through to a quick 6-0, 6-2 win just before another rain delay set in.
Jelena Jankovic found herself up a set and 4-0 against
Daniela Hantuchova before rain briefly interrupted their match. When they returned to the court, Hantuchova came back in the second set to force a tiebreak. But Jankovic held on to close out the 6-4, 7-6(7), win.
Other winners on the day included No. 27 seed
Yaroslava Shevdova and No. 31 seed
Alize Cornet.
Azarenka, Kvitova Find Their Matches Scrubbed Due to Weather
No. 3 seed
Victoria Azarenka will have to come back tomorrow as her opening round match was cancelled due to the early morning rain delay.
Petra Kvitova, Heather Watson and several other players also faced the same fate and will have to make up their matches tomorrow.