Gille advances at French Open

Published 11:37 am Friday, June 2, 2023

PARIS, France – After being forced to wait an extra day for its second-round match at the French Open, Sander Gille and doubles partner Joran Vliegen made quick work Friday morning on the Court 10 at Roland Garros.

The Belgian duo dispatched Roman Jebavy and Luis David Martinez in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2. Originally, Gille and Vliegen were scheduled to play the winner of Emil Ruusuvuori/Patrik Niklas-Salminen-Quentin Halys/Gregoire Barrere, but both those teams pulled out of the tournament, pushing back the second-round match by one day. With both teams leaving the doubles tournament, Jebavy/Martinez won its match in straight sets (6-2, 7-5) on Thursday.

In the first set, Gille/Vliegen won the final five points, while they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second before cruising to the win. Gille/Vliegen were plus-six in aces (6-0), while they won their first serve 73 percent of the time (30/41) and won their second serve 82 percent of the time (9/11).

This marks the third straight year Gille and Vliegen have advanced to the third round at the French Open.

Gille/Vliegen now await the winner of No. 9 seed Santiago Gonzales/Edouard Roger-Vasselin vs. Yuki Bhambri/Saketh Myneni (currently in progress). The day and start time for third round matches will be announced at a later time.

Gille, who is ranked No. 41 in ATP Doubles, is coming off a championship run with Vliegen in the 2023 Estoril Open back in April. The duo were the No. 4 seed in the tournament and rattled off four wins to claim the title.

Gille helped guide ETSU to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2009-12 and was a three-time first team all-ASUN selection. Gille was named ASUN Player of the Year and Tournament MVP in 2010. Gille finished his collegiate career with 72 wins in the Blue & Gold.