Team USA leaves mark at Roland Garros

First-time Slam semifinalist Amanda Anisimova stole the headlines for Team USA at Roland Garros, but the American effort also included a pair of doubles titles. The silverware came courtesy of Emma Navarro and Chloe Beck in the junior girls’ event and David Wagner in the wheelchair quad division.

At the senior level, Anisimova made major history by becoming the first player—male or female—born in the 2000s to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal. In that quarterfinal match, the 2017 US Open girls’ singles title-winner stunned defending champion and world No. 3 Simona Halep in straight sets.

The 17-year-old was one of three American quarterfinalists in the women’s draw, with 2018 semifinal opponents Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys also reaching the last eight.

Rounding out the women’s singles success, 20-year-old Sofia Kenin reached the Round of 16—her best run in nine career Grand Slam main-draw attempts—by defeating Serena Williams in Round 3. Kenin (in the fourth round) and Anisimova (semis) were the only two women to take a set off of eventual champion Ashleigh Barty on the fortnight. 

In the men’s singles draw, 20-year-old Taylor Fritz notched his first French Open win in three main-draw attempts, topping Australia’s Bernard Tomic in straight sets.

While the next generation of American talent continues to break through on both the ATP and WTA Tours, the U.S. is also making an impact on the ITF junior circuit.  

Navarro, the 17-year-old who made her WTA debut at the Volvo Car Open this spring, reached the girls’ singles final in addition to her doubles title with Beck. Toby Alex Kodat matched Navarro’s singles run by reaching the final in the boys’ competition.

In the wheelchair quad division, David Wagner had identical results to Navarro's girls' campaign. He teamed with Dylan Alcott to win the doubles title, but fell to his Australian partner in three sets in the singles final. It was the first edition of the quad event at Roland Garros.