Robert Kendrick ensured there would be no shutout for American men at the French Open this year.
The native of Fresno beat Daniel Brands of Germany 6-7 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (11), 4-6, 6-3 in a match that lasted more than 3.5 hours Sunday to reach the second round at Roland Garros for the first time.
In his only previous appearance, Kendrick lost in the first round in 2007 -- part of an 0-9 showing by American men in Paris that year.
"That was pretty depressing," Kendrick told the Associated Press.
Kendrick totaled 35 aces in his victory over Brands, a qualifier, and attributed part of his success Sunday to hitting big serves and charging the net, where he won 27 of 41 points. Not exactly the traditional way to play on clay, but that's been his style for many years.
"Still going to come in and not stay back there and hit a million balls," Kendrick said.
Kendrick next plays No. 7-seeded Gilles Simon of France on Wednesday.
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