Tristan Schoolkate, Destanee Aiava and Rinky Hijikata all bundled out on opening day at Roland Garros

The big contingent of Australians at the French Open was thinned by three on a winless opening day at Roland Garros.

The French Open debuts for Australians Tristan Schoolkate and Destanee Aiava ended in defeat with compatriot Rinky Hijikata also bundled out on the opening day of action at Roland Garros.

Given a wildcard into the clay court grand slam, Aiava couldn’t handle hard-hitting Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska, losing 7-5 6-1, and conceded she lost her way after going down an early break.

“It’s a different kind of game type that I have to get more experience with. She’s obviously a big hitter. It just wasn’t as consistent as I liked it to be,” the 25-year-old said.

“I need to get better with controlling my emotions when things look like or feel like they’re getting too far away from me.

Destanee Aiava lost to Dayana Yastremska. Picture: Adam Pretty/Getty Images

“Especially going down a break and automatically thinking I’ve lost … It’s kind of a natural response that I have all the time. It’s something that I really do need to work on.”

Schoolkate went down to the more experienced Marton Fucsovics in a battle that lasted more than two hours and gave the West Australian some confidence with hopes of getting back next year.

“I think it was a great experience, great learning to see the level these guys (achieve). Why they’ve been at that ranking and are such calibre of players for so long,” he said after the 6-4 6-2 6-2 loss.

“There’s a lot I can improve on and I’m happy to do that work and improve and hopefully be back next year and do better again.”

Hijikata was the only Australian to win a set, taking the first in just 18 minutes against American Reilly Opelka.

But then the big-serving of Opelka became a factor, sending down 22 aces as he took control to run out a 1-6 6-3 7-5 7-6 winner.

“I played a bit of a loose game, then I felt like from there he started really picking it up and in third and fourth (sets), I felt like he served exceptionally,” Hijikata said.

“I didn’t really get a look. He played some really good shots. There were one or two chances where I had to capitalise, but I didn’t. He came up with some pretty good stuff when he needed to, especially in the fourth set.”

Rinky Hijikata lost in four sets. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“This is the longest I’ve spent on clay in a long, long time. I did feel like I was figuring it out, which maybe makes this (loss) a little bit more frustrating,

“I am starting to figure it out. I feel like next year I can come here and feel like I can get some good results. I do think it’s a surface I can play on. I think a lot of part of my game now, I’ve realised can match up well … I’m confident moving forward.”

Another eight Australians, including Alexei Popyrin and Maya Joint, will be in action on day two.

RESULTS – Roland Garros day 1

Men’s singles, first round

Reilly Opelka d Rinky Hijikata 1-6 6-3 7-5 7-6(3)

Marton Fucsovics d (WC) Tristan Schoolkate 6-4 6-2 6-2

Women’s singles first round

Dayana Yastremska d (WC) Destanee Aiava 7-5 6-1

COMING UP – Roland Garros day 2

Men’s singles, first round

(25) Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) first match, Court 6

Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Jiri Lehecka (CZE) second match, Court 4

Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) v (24) Karen Khachanov third match, Court 12

Chris O’Connell (AUS) v (22) Ugo Humbert (FRA) last match, Court 14

Women’s singles, first round

(Q) Daria Saville v (7) Madison Keys last match, Simonne-Matthieu Court

(17) Daria Kasatkina (AUS) v Katerina Siniakova (CZE) third match, Court 6

Maya Joint (AUS) v Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) second match, Court 9

Kimberly Birrell (AUS) v Jaqueline Cristian (ROU) second match, Court 13

Originally published as Tristan Schoolkate, Destanee Aiava and Rinky Hijikata all bundled out on opening day at Roland Garros