French Open 2025: Hitesh Chauhan goes down to USA's Benjamin Willwerth
The 17-year-old went out in the Junior French Open second round (Image via X/@asian_tennis)
The Times of India at Roland Garros
: Qualifier Hitesh Chauhan went down fighting 2-6, 6-2, 6-7 (6) to sixth-seeded American Benjamin Willwerth in the second round of the
French Open
boys singles at Roland Garros.
Hitesh, ranked 83, the last player into the qualifying draw, weathered four matches in five days and was running low on energy on Tuesday. His groundstrokes fell short and his court coverage a tad slow.
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The Indian, who settled down in the second set, running down the drop shots Willwerth threw at him, worked his way into the contest with his own mix of underspin, to eventually level set scores.
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In the third game (30-15) of the third set, Hitesh took a tumble while chasing a drop shot.
He rolled over his shoulder and the trainer was called on court. The 17-year-old responded to the situation admirably, he returned to the court and won three of the next four games to take a 4-2 lead. Hitesh, who motored around his backhand, to use his forehand, his stronger shot, had 14 winners of that flank, nine of which came in the third set.
In the seventh game, the Indian had two chances to extend his lead to 5-2, but Willwerth held and won the next three games before Hitesh levelled at 5-5.
Poll
Do you think Hitesh Chauhan has the potential to become a top player?
Yes, he has great talent
No, he needs more experience
It's too early to tell
Hitesh, a talent Indian tennis would do well to invest in, given his attitude and speed around the rectangle, was running on reserve in the super-tie-break. Hitesh led 6-5, but Willwerth nailed the next five points to seal the match.
In the boys doubles, Hitesh and Turkey's Haydar Cem Gokpinar went down 1-6, 4-6 to the American combine of Willwerth and Noah Johnston.
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