MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Corentin Moutet sliced into a underarm serve on match point and sealed her first-round victory at the Australian Open on Sunday when Tristan Schoolkate floated her forehand return too long.
The Kia Arena crowd booed loudly, but Moutet, seeded No. 32, didn’t flinch, later saying he did what was necessary to complete the 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-3 victory.
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He said the choice of service was more instinctive than expected.
“I did it because I thought it would be…I could win the point,” he said. “Actually, I won the point. Of course, no disrespect or anything.”
The underarm serve complies with the rules but is rarely used in the highest ranks of men’s tennis, particularly on match points. This caught Moutet’s Australian rival off guard.
“I decided to do this, so I thought it was the best option at the moment,” Moutet said.
The 26-year-old Frenchman had sometimes struggled in the heat Day 1 of the season-opening major and needed a medical timeout in the third set for what appeared to be a leg problem.
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He explained that it was more of a “global” problem, saying it was a combination of illness, pain and a lack of quality sleep over the preceding days.
“We all experience some kind of pain every day that we have to deal with,” he said. “So yeah, I was trying to deal with it the best way I could.
“I’m happy I did well, you know, proud of myself. It wasn’t easy, obviously, it’s the first game of the year, so it’s always difficult.”
Moutet’s best run in 26 previous majors was a fourth round at Roland Garros 2024. His best run in Australia was the third round last year.
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If he wins his next turn and Carlos Alcaraz, the highest ranked advances as expected, the two could meet in the third round at Melbourne Park.
Moutet was confident he would be able to overcome the issues that hampered him in the first round in his next lineup.
“I really know that the most important thing is to get through it and deal with it the best way,” he said, “and I can put it behind me.”
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