Americans learning to love springtime in Paris

One year after America saw its nine-man French Open assault reduced to just one by the end of the first week, Taylor Dent and John Isner were on Monday praying the sun kept shining at Roland Garros.

Dent, whose career has been interrupted by constant battles with back trouble, recorded his first career win here by seeing off experienced Ecuadorian claycourter Nicolas Lapentti 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3).

Isner, the 17th seed who missed the 2009 tournament because of glandular fever, eased past Kazakhstan’s Andrey Golubev 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. “The conditions were nice for me,” said Dent, who, like Isner, is based in Florida.

“Any time it’s hot and dry here, the courts are really quick. It’s almost like a hardcourt out there. When the courts are quick, I’m able to dictate play a lot with my slice.” There are 11 American men in the first round draw, but last year only Andy Roddick made it to the second week while Andre Agassi, in 1999, remains the country’s last champion in Paris.

“We love coming over here and playing. There’s no doubt about it, and there’s nothing more that Americans love than to come over here and win matches,” added Dent, who tackles the 2009 runner-up Robin Soederling in the next round.

Isner, defeated by compatriot Sam Querrey in the Belgrade claycourt final three weeks ago, also won his first match here on Monday, having lost on his debut in 2008.

The 6ft 9in (206cm) giant believes he is reaping the rewards for hard work earlier in the European claycourt swing.

“Sam and myself played in a claycourt final in Europe, albeit a few weeks back, so people definitely know we can play on this surface,” said Isner.

PARIS, AFP