French Open 2024

No break! Wonder bag awaits after crazy marathon

Sebastian Ofner

(Bild: GEPA)

For one and a half sets, it looked as if Sebastian Ofner could reach the round of 16 at the French Open, just like last year. But in the end, the Styrian's tank was simply empty in the third round against Corentin Moutet after the marathon battle the day before. He lost 6:3, 4:6, 4:6, 1:6. 

The "Krone" reports from Paris!

Sebastian Ofner was really looking forward to the match against Corentin Moutet, given the chance to play against a local player on Court Simonne Mathieu. Things got even better while he was preparing: the match was unceremoniously moved to Court Suzanne Lenglen, the second-largest court in the complex. And the atmosphere was just as Ofi had expected: loud and against him.

All the more so as Moutet got off to a dream start. He broke the Austrian straight away to make it 1:0, Ofner needed time to anticipate the Frenchman's sometimes unpredictable shots a little better. For example, the serve from down the line, which Moutet successfully threw in in his first service game.

The first set was wrapped up after 42 minutes
Every successful point by the 25-year-old was met with chants of "Moutet! But Ofner was not unnerved by this and, as always, simply started to play his game. His shots were more powerful than his opponent's, he began to dominate the rallies and broke for 2:2. He then served ice-cold, slamming a serve through the middle at over 210 km/h time and time again. Another break to make it 5:3 and after 42 minutes the first set was wrapped up 6:3. Davis Cup captain Jürgen Melzer and youngster Joel Schwärzler were also delighted.

Ofner was jubilant after the first set.

(Bild: GEPA)

Moutet's nerves were now also on edge, his racket flew for the first time at 1:1, and his serve from down the line also failed for the first time at the fifth. Ofner got the break, but seemed to be starting to feel his legs after the marathon battle against Sebastian Baez. Up to 4:2, you still had the feeling that he had everything under control with his serve.

However, the tank was empty, which was clear after 4:0 at the latest. The last few games became a show from Moutet. Ofner could do nothing more than prevent the zero. After 2:47 hours, however, he lost 6:3, 4:6, 4:6, 1:6. Moutet also knew what had played a major role in this. "After such a short time, it's almost impossible to recover from a four-hour match like the one my opponent had."

Moutet in a frenzy
But Moutet is unpredictable. Suddenly his stops came back, he played himself into a frenzy and, conversely, Ofi made more mistakes. The Frenchman scored 16 of the next 19 points and won the second set 6:4, unleashing a storm of jubilation on the Suzanne Lenglen.

Both players left the court briefly, Moutet got off to the better start in the third set, breaking for 2:0. That's when Ofner started to get really down on himself for the first time, discussing with touring coach Stefan Rettl in his box. Perhaps it helped, as he took the service from his opponent to make it 2:3. At 4:5, the 28-year-old served against losing the set and lost the first two points. Moutet energetically incited the crowd to get into the mood, shortly afterwards Ofner hit a forehand just wide - 4:6.

Corentin Moutet

(Bild: GEPA)

Ofner is also having fun
The Frenchman, who again unpacked all his wit with stops en masse, clearly looked fresher in this phase. No wonder, in contrast to the Austrian's 4:12-hour battle, he had only needed 2:52 the day before. Once again he got off to a fast start with a break, celebrated as if he had made it to the final and, like a showman, repeatedly made gestures to the fans begging for a response. But Ofner also had his fun, demanding the applause of the crowd after a stop and of course continuing to fight bravely.