History was made at Roland Garros today when France's Fabrice Santoro beat compatriot Arnaud Clement after six hours and 33 minutes of play.
In what was the longest match in modern history, Santoro came through the marathon first round game against the number 32 seed 6-4 6-3 6-7 3-6 16-14. The match had been halted at 5-5 in the final set on Monday, but it took a further twenty games this morning to separate the two.
Santoro secured the decisive break at 14-14 and though Clement had three chances to break back, the unseeded Frenchman was able to hold out to gain an historic victory.
"It's an exceptional moment," said Santoro.
"More than victory, the intensity of the match and the strong emotions out there are what you're looking for when you become a professional tennis player."
Clement was unhappy at the defeat, and the fact he had been involved in a piece of tennis history did nothing to lighten his mood.
"What do I get? A medal? I'm not interested," said Clement.
"I don't have the impression you make history when you lose a game in six hours and 30 minutes. You make history when you win a grand slam or the Davis Cup."
Earlier Roger Federer secured his place in the second round with a facile win over Belgian Kristof Vliegen. Last year's Wimbledon champion lost only four games on his way to a 6-1 6-2 6-1 victory.
1 Roger Federer (Switzerland) beat
Kristof Vliegen (Belgium) 6-1 6-2 6-1
Daniel Elsner (Germany) beat
Alexander Peya (Austria) 6-1 7-6 (7-4) 6-2
19 Martin Verkerk (NED) beat
Julien Boutter (France) 7-5 6-3 6-1
Thomas Enqvist (Sweden) beat
Kenneth Carlsen 6-2 6-3 6-4
Nicolas Kiefer(Germany) beat
Thierry Ascione (France) 6-3 6-2 6-2
Potito Starace (Italy) beat
Dmitry Tursunov(Russia) 6-2 6-3 6-4
Victor Hanescu (Romania) beat
Jean-Rene Lisnard (France) 7-5 6-2 6-4
David Ferrer (Spain) beat
Olivier Rochus (Belgium) 6-1 6-1 6-3
Fabrice Santoro (France) beat
32 Arnaud Clement (France) 6-4 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 3-6 16-14
10 Sebastien Grosjean (France) beat
Kevin Kim (USA) 6-1 6-1 6-4
Xavier Malisse (Belgium) beat
7 Rainer Schuettler (Germany) 6-4 7-5 6-4
24 Jonas Bjorkman (Sweden) beat
Taylor Dent (USA) 6-3 2-6 6-3 3-6 6-2
Alejandro Falla (Colombia) beat
Kristian Pless (DEN) 6-2 4-6 6-1 6-2
Stefan Koubek (Austria) beat
David Sanchez (Spain) 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-7 (0-7) 6-0
Julien Benneteau (France) beat
29 Max Mirnyi (Belarus) 7-5 7-5 1-6 6-3
Filed by Séamus Leonard
