Belgians culled in first round of French Open

It was a grim first round for the Belgians at the French Open with five of the eight entrants out by Monday. The two top Belgian women both made sharp exits: Yanina Wickmayer (83) lost in 6-2, 6-2 to the Ukraine’s Slina Svitolina (21), while Kirsten Flipkens (73), recovering from a thigh injury, lost in three sets to the Russia’s Elena Vesnina (95).

Ostend’s Kimmer Coppejans, in his first ever Grand Slam match, lost in three sets to France’s Nicolas Mahut; Genk’s Ruben Bemelmans (95) also lost his opener, falling in five sets to Germany’s Benjamin Becker; and Steve Darcis (76) lost in three sets to Italy’s Simone Bolelli (60).

Only David Goffin (pictured), ranked 18th in the world, reached the second round, defeating Serb Filip Krajinović (WTA rank 99) in four sets. He will play Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo (64), who won his first round tie against the Donald Young (52) from the United States.

Alison Van Uytvanck (93) is due to play her first round match today against Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (52), while Germain Gigounon (209) faces an tough battle against France’s Richard Gasquet (21).