Brian Baker\u2019s family and friends had waited years to see him play at the French Open\u201d\u201dnine years, to be exact, since he made the boy\u2019s final in 2003. They weren\u2019t going to settle for bad seats.<\/p>\n
So the Baker clan, 11 strong and ever optimistic, arrived at Court 6 at Roland Garros as two other men finished off a five-setter that had been held over due to darkness the night before. Next up were two women who played a three-set match while Baker\u2019s entourage scouted out a section in the corner bleachers. Finally they sat and then watched as the most remarkable story of the spring tennis season got even better.<\/p>\n
Brian Baker, the 27-year-old American who took six years off from pro tennis and had five operations, won his first match at the French Open, 6-3, 7-6(1), 7-6(5) over Xavier Malisse. He\u2019ll play Gilles Simon of France on Wednesday, perhaps inside Court Philippe Chatrier. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely something I didn\u2019t envision,\u201d\u009d Baker said.<\/p>\n