The last time U.S. men started this well at the French Open, Sebastian Korda wasn’t alive and his dad had yet to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Eight American men are into the second round at Roland Garros, the largest contingent in the last 64 since 1996. No nation will have more. Astonishing, given U.S. men went a collective 1-9 at the 2019 French Open.
Back in 1996, nine American men won first-round matches. That group included Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Michael Chang (in Sampras’ deepest run in Paris, to the semifinals).