British Pair One Match From Dream Roland Garros Debuts

Two British players are just one step away from qualifying for their first Grand Slam singles appearances after setting up the biggest games of their careers to qualify for the French Open.

Toby Samuel was ranked outside the world’s top 1,300 just one year ago but has risen to a career-high 159th after winning four titles on the ATP Challenger Tour, which is the second tier in Men’s professional tennis.

The 23-year-old produced a superb comeback to beat former world number seven David Goffin 5-7 6-3 6-3 in what was the Belgian veteran’s final appearance at Roland Garros, and will now face Peru’s Gonzalo Bueno for a place in the main draw.

“First of all, it was an honour to play against David in his last Roland Garros,” Samuel told the crowd on Suzanne Lenglen, the tournament’s second biggest arena.

“You’re an inspiration to all tennis players out there; it was amazing sharing the court with you. It was the craziest atmosphere I’ve ever been a part of.”

Fellow Brit, World number 237, Felix Gill also fought back from a set and saved two match points on his way to overcoming former top-40 player Alex Molcan 2-6 7-5 7-6 (11-9).

Gill, 23, will take on 147th-ranked Frenchman Kyrian Jacquet for a spot in the main draw at Roland Garros.

Should either British player win, they will have more than doubled their career earnings this week.

Samuel and Gill have both pocketed 57,000 euros (£49,300) by claiming the first two qualifying wins of their careers at an overseas Grand Slam.

For Samuel, that has already boosted his career earnings – which stood at £118,300 – by 42%. Gill has earned slightly more, with £154,000.

But victory in the final qualifying match is worth an additional 48,000 euros (£41,500) and it would guarantee minimum earnings of 87,000 euros (£75,200) in the main draw first round.

Neither player has ever contested a match on the ATP Tour – but now they are both one win away from a first appearance on one of the sport’s biggest stages.