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3 months ago
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American tennis fans were quick to criticize Chris Eubanks on Sunday after he suffered a humiliating first-round exit at the Olympics.
Benjamin Hassan secured a landmark victory at Roland Garros in Paris as he became the first Lebanon player to win a match in an Olympic tennis event, at the expense of Eubanks.
Germany-born Hassan, ranked 170th in the world, won 6-4, 6-2 in just 53 minutes for one of the best victories of his career.
'I am unbelievably happy. We just enjoy it from the whole team. We are really proud and I'm also proud of myself,' the 29-year-old told reporters.
'It was an unbelievable atmosphere. I was just trying to be calm because I didn't want to waste too much energy. When I won I could let it all out.'
American tennis fans were quick to criticize Chris Eubanks after a humiliating first-round exit
Americans were quick to lay into Eubanks though, with one posting on X that he's simply in Paris 'as team USA mascot'.
Another posted: 'Wow! What on earth happened? Chris Eubanks on clay is not a ball of fire but this is still a shocking upset.
'First Naomi Osaka and now this! Congratulations to Hassan, his country will be proud!',
'Talk about a fall... Eubanks has really fallen off,' another commented.
Meanwhile, another fan posted: 'Eubanks is such a fluke. Had a purple patch last year on grass but in reality, he is just a challengers player.'
Benjamin Hassan became the first Lebanon player to win a match in an Olympic tennis event
Hassan did not even set about becoming a professional until the age of 22, having previously played just for fun.
But now he is living the dream as an Olympian and has a second-round clash against Argentina's Sebastian Baez to look forward to.
He has thrown himself into life in the athletes village, amassing quite a collection of pins.
'I think the most special one is Japan because I'm a huge fan of Japan. I like watching a lot of animated mangas,' he said.
Hassan was not the only Lebanon player in the draw as Hady Habib lost to French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday. Hassan and Habib also lost in the doubles on Sunday.
English (US)