There’s usually no surer thing at the Australian Open than the French reciprocal wildcard losing straight away.
The controversial system, which sees the US, French and Aussie Opens giving a wildcard to one man and one woman from the two other nations, has been described by long-time American journalist Jon Wertheim as an “icky, cartel-like swap”, keeping out local players or more deserving options from other nations.
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After all an Aussie wildcard will have huge crowd support at Melbourne Park, and they typically overperform their ranking, with a handful advancing every few years.
In contrast the French reciprocal wildcard had won just three matches since 2007 – as in, just three times had the player won their first-round match.
In total, 14 of 19 over the past 20 years failed to win a match at Melbourne Park, and not since Nicolas Escude in 2004 had one of them made the third round.
And then came world No.122 Arthur Cazaux – ranked just 230th this time last year – who is suddenly into the last 16.
The 21-year-old had never even won a grand slam match before this week, but is through to the fourth round after stunning No.28 seed Tallon Griekspoor 6-3 6-3 6-1 on Saturday.
It’s his third straight upset win, following victories over former world No.27 Laslo Djere (first round) and most notably world No.8 Holger Rune (second round).
He is also the first wildcard, from any nation, to make the fourth round of the Australian Open since Lleyton Hewitt in 2012, and the second non-Australian to do it in the Open Era after Mats Wilander (1994).
AUSTRALIAN OPEN FRENCH RECIPROCAL WILDCARDS
2023: Luca Van Assche (Lost 7-6(3) 6-0 6-3 in Rd 1)
2022: Lucas Pouille (Lost 3-6 6-3 6-4 6-3 in Rd 1)
2021: Not awarded
2020: Hugo Gaston (Lost 7-5 5-7 6-0 6-3 in Rd 1)
2019: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Lost 6-3 7-5 6-4 in Rd 2)
2018: Corentin Moutet (Lost 3-6 6-4 6-2 6-2 in Rd 1)
2017: Quentin Halys (Lost 6-7(10) 7-6(4) 6-3 6-4 in Rd 1)
2016: Quentin Halys (Lost 6-1 6-2 7-6(3) in Rd 2)
2015: Lucas Pouille (Lost 6-7(3) 3-6 6-4 6-1 6-4 in Rd 1)
2014: Lucas Pouille (Lost 6-4 7-6(9) 4-6 6-3 in Rd 1)
2013: Josselin Ouanna (Lost 6-4 7-5 6-4 in Rd 1)
2012: Kenny de Schepper (Lost 6-3 6-2 6-2 in Rd 1)
2011: Benoit Paire (Lost 6-3 6-7(2) 6-4 7-6(5) in Rd 2)
2010: Sebastien Grosjean (Lost 6-4 6-3 7-5 in Rd 1)
2009: Adrian Mannarino (Lost 6-0 6-2 6-2 in Rd 1)
2008: Mathieu Montcourt (Lost 6-0 6-2 7-6(3) in Rd 1)
2007: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Lost 6-7(18) 7-6(2) 6-3 6-3 in Rd 1)
2006: Michael Llodra (Lost 6-4 6-2 6-2 in Rd 1)
2005: Gael Monfils (Lost 6-1 6-3 6-3 in Rd 2)
2004: Nicolas Escude (Lost 6-2 6-3 6-4 in Rd 3)
As a junior Cazaux reached the No.4 ranking and was a runner-up in the boys’ singles at the 2020 Australian Open.
He will face No.9 seed Hubert Hurkacz in the fourth round after the Pole fought past No.21 seed Ugo Humbert in four sets.
Not that one good result makes the reciprocal wildcard system worth it, of course. But for what it’s worth, Aussie Rinky Hijikata made the fourth round of the US Open last year thanks to a reciprocal wildcard.
So… at least they’re paying off for once?
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