PARIS: The tension of the French Open is palpable as the tournament has kicked off its latest edition, bringing with it thrilling matches and diverse narratives. Star players Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek managed to light up the first day with impressive victories as they began their title defenses.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz showcased his prowess on the clay courts with an authoritative 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri. Displaying power and precision, Alcaraz struck an impressive 31 winners, setting a commanding tone for his campaign. With this win, he extends his winning streak in the French Open to eight matches, making him a formidable contender as he progresses to face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in the second round. The young Spaniard, who snagged Olympic silver last year at Roland Garros, is clearly on a mission to reclaim his title.
Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz acknowledged the inherent challenges of the first round, especially under the spotlight of being a defending champion. “The first round is never easy, and coming here as a champion is even more difficult,” he stated, crediting his recent victories at both the Monte Carlo Masters and Italian Open for his momentum. “I started well, found my rhythm, and I’m happy with my start,” he added, clearly in high spirits.
The night session saw the highly anticipated emergence of two-time reigning Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner, who faced local hero Arthur Rinderknech. The atmosphere was electric, with home crowd support ensuring every point was a nail-biter. Adding another layer of excitement, Sinner could potentially clash with the iconic French player Richard Gasquet in the second round. At 38, Gasquet aims to make a memorable exit from Roland Garros, competing in his 22nd and final tournament here.
In an unexpected turn of events, Taylor Fritz, the fourth seed, was unceremoniously ousted from the men’s draw by Germany’s Daniel Altmaier. The match ended dramatically, with a scoreline of 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, marking him as the first significant upset of the tournament. Meanwhile, Norwegian seventh seed Casper Ruud, a previous finalist at Roland Garros, commenced his quest for a first Grand Slam title with a solid 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Spanish qualifier Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
On the women’s side, Iga Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, made her mark by defeating Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova 6-3, 6-3. After nearly a year without a title, Swiatek displayed her resilience, breaking her opponent’s serve four times and taking a significant step towards regaining her championship form. “I knew I needed to stay proactive and try to use my weapons. I’m happy with my performance,” remarked Swiatek, who retains an impressive 36-2 win-loss record at this tournament.
Swiatek’s next challenge is a clash against the former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, who recently triumphed over Wang Xinyu with a scoreline of 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. This marks Raducanu’s return to the French Open after an early exit during her debut in 2022, making this matchup one to watch.
In another notable result, former Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka faced off against Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa but ultimately succumbed to defeat. Badosa showcased her tenacity, coming back from a set down to claim victory at 6-7 (1/7), 6-1, 6-4. Osaka’s struggles at Roland Garros continue, as she has yet to progress past the third round.
The first day of the French Open also saw Elena Rybakina, last year’s Wimbledon champion, narrowly overcome Argentinian qualifier Julia Riera with a score of 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. This victory comes just two days after Rybakina captured her first WTA title since April, solidifying her form as she moves deeper into the tournament.
Adding to the day’s drama, American ninth seed Emma Navarro suffered a shocking defeat, falling 6-0, 6-1 to Spanish world No. 68 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Navarro’s performance was particularly disappointing, as she only managed to score when her opponent gifted her a break with a double fault, highlighting the unpredictability and high stakes inherent in this prestigious tournament.
