Getting Acquainted With... Edouard Roger-Vasselin

© ATPRoger-Vasselin qualified into his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event on Sunday.

France’s Edouard Roger-Vasselin broke through in Cincinnati Sunday, qualifying at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 main draw for the first time after rolling past wild card Steve Johnson 6-2, 6-1 in 57 minutes.

The 27 year old reached the quarter-finals at the Campbell’s Hall Of Fame Tennis Championships and is ranked No. 113 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings.

ATPWorldTour.com sat down with Roger-Vasselin after his qualifying victory at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.

Today’s win saw you qualify into your first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in your 12th attempt. How does it feel to break through and what made the difference this time around?
It’s great to finally get through the qualies of a Masters 1000 tournament. I had a few opportunities in Bercy and Monte Carlo and didn’t play as well. Today I had a good chance against a guy I didn’t know, so I think it was a good draw. I spoke a little bit with Jeremy Chardy who lost to him yesterday, so he told me a few things that helped me during the match today. I’m happy to get through and am looking forward to the main draw.

You’re playing in Cincinnati for the first time. How do you like the venue and area so far?
It’s nice… not too hot. Sometimes it’s so hot and humid out there. There are good crowds. I played on a nice stadium today. I like the courts as they are fast, which is good for my game. I’m very pleased to be here.

Your father Christophe reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros. What sort of influence, if any did he have on your game and what have you learned from him?
He taught me how to play, how to be confident and not lose your mind when you are playing. But with my game, like with my forehand and backhand, he didn’t teach me so much. It was more advice; always work hard, do your best, and then you’ll see what happens.

In July, you won the Granby Challenger in Vancouver and are close to returning to the Top 100. What do you need to do to be able to play ATP World Tour level events on a regular basis?
I have to be more confident with my game, specifically my return game. That’s what I did in Granby, so I’ll try to do the same here. For the moment it’s working a little bit, so I hope I can keep being confident and beat some great players at big tournaments like this one.

Favourite…
Tennis Shot: Backhand volley
Book: L'Alchimiste
City To Visit: London
Movie: The Pursuit Of Happyness
French Meal: It’s a meal my grandmother used to do. It’s this great chicken with vegetables and rice, and it’s all cooked with love!