Dominican Republic's Victor Estrella Burgos backhands to Poland's Jerzy Janowicz during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Sunday, May 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) (The Associated Press)
PARIS – Victor Estrella Burgos became the first player from the Dominican Republic in more than a half-century to compete in a Grand Slam tennis tournament, losing 6-1, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-4 to Jerzy Janowicz of Poland in the first round of the French Open on Sunday.
The only other Dominican in the main draw of a major was Manuel Morales, who lost in the first round of the 1956 French Open, according to the International Tennis Federation.
Estrella Burgos mostly plays on the lower-level Challenger tour. In March, he became the first Dominican to break into the top 100 of the ATP rankings.
Janowicz, who is seeded 22nd at Roland Garros, reached the Wimbledon semifinals last year.
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