New Zealand tennis doubles players Erin Routliffe and Lulu Sun have fallen to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani 6-2, 6-3
The much-delayed first-round game finally got underway on Roland Garros’ Court Philippe Chatrier; a surprise upgrade from the outer courts after scheduling fell in their favour.
But the New Zealanders struggled to get a grip on the match.
Routliffe appeared to be moving gingerly midway through the first set, her left ankle seemingly giving her some discomfort as she hit an awkward forehand slice into the net and followed it up with another tame unforced error.
But the pair – who’ve only just teamed up for these Games – found a way back into the fight, going toe-to-toe with the Italians in the second set.
The Italians ultimately were more clinical, as the Kiwis committed 31 unforced errors.
Sun lost her first round singles match to Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk on the opening day.
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