Britain’s Harris on the brink of reaching French Open main draw

At the French Open qualifying tournament, Britain’s Billy Harris secured a hard-fought victory against France’s Manuel Guinard in the second round, positioning himself just one win away from his debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam event. The 29-year-old player showcased his skills on the Parisian clay and will face Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot in his final qualifying match.

Meanwhile, former world number three Dominic Thiem suffered a defeat in his last French Open appearance before retiring later this year. The Austrian player was unable to overcome Finland’s Otto Virtanen, falling in straight sets and missing out on a wildcard entry to Roland Garros, where he has been a two-time runner-up.

Despite Thiem’s exit, an on-court ceremony was held to honor his contributions to the sport, with the 30-year-old receiving a commemorative trophy. As the sole remaining Briton in the qualifying tournaments, Harris has the opportunity to make a significant breakthrough in his career by progressing to the main draw of the prestigious competition. Having earned his first ATP Tour match victory in November last year, Harris’s journey from driving to tournaments in a Ford Transit van to competing on the Grand Slam stage showcases his determination and potential in the world of professional tennis.