Racket thrower Harrison gets unexpected French Open spot

American Ryan Harrison was unexpectedly thrown into the French Open first round on Tuesday, after launching his racket into a tree during qualifying last week.

American Ryan Harrison was unexpectedly thrown into the French Open first round on Tuesday, after launching his racket into a tree during qualifying last week.

HT Image

The world number 119 was so annoyed by his performance when losing in qualifying last Friday that he took out the frustration on his racket and was fined for unsporting behaviour and abuse of equipment, organisers said.

He has now received a "lucky loser" berth to face last year's runner-up Robin Soderling on Tuesday after Germany's Benjamin Becker pulled out with an elbow injury.