It's a return to action for most of the 1992 boys who were on the recent trip to South America. Richard Gabb was also in qualifying, but lost his third match. Nick Jones has to take on last month's Banana Bowl finalist.
R1 (L32)
Benjamin Cselenko (FRA) v James Marsalek (GBR) (WC) Cedrick Commin (FRA) v (Q) Ashley Hewitt (GBR) Jack Carpenter (GBR) v (4) Kevin Krawietz (GER) Nick Jones (GBR) v (2) Gianni Mina (FRA)
Two fine wins for James and Jack over higher ranked opponents on the first day of competition
R1 (L32)
James Marsalek (GBR) d. Benjamin Cselenko (FRA) 7-5 2-6 6-3 (WC) Cedrick Commin (FRA) v (Q) Ashley Hewitt (GBR) Jack Carpenter (GBR) d. (4) Kevin Krawietz (GER) 4-6 7-5 6-1 (2) Gianni Mina (FRA) d. Nick Jones (GBR) 7-6(4) 6-0
James Marsalek (GBR) v (WC) Christophe Squarta (FRA) (WC) Romain Arneodo (FRA) v (Q) Ashley Hewitt (GBR) (WC) Tak Khunn Wang (FRA) v Jack Carpenter (GBR)
James Marsalek (GBR) d. (WC) Christophe Squarta (FRA) 2-6 6-1 6-2 (WC) Romain Arneodo (FRA) d. (Q) Ashley Hewitt (GBR) 6-2 7-6(9) (WC) Tak Khunn Wang (FRA) d. Jack Carpenter (GBR) 6-3 6-1
QF
(1) Carlos Boluda-Purkiss (ESP) v James Marsalek (GBR)
A very difficult task for James against the highly-rated Spaniard, who won Les Petits As twice.
Boluda-Purkiss beat Wang in the final. James gave Carlos his closest match of the week. James, Jack, Ashley and Richard are currently in qualifying for the second French Grade 2 which has an even stronger field.
A lot of people have made the comparison, which puts pressure on him, but there is a long way to go. I'm sure he will attract a lot of attention at the French Open, where he will be one of the favourites.
