New Delhi: Carlos Alcaraz aims to be the first man since Rafael Nadal in 2019-20 to successfully defend the French Open title and began in right earnest with a straight sets victory in the first round on Monday.
The Spaniard brushed aside qualifier Giulio Zeppieri 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in a flashy display on stroke making that could be viewed as an early statement of intent.
The Roland Garros defending champion improved to 16 wins in 17- ATP tour-level match on clay courts in the ongoing season.
“It was really, really solid. The first round of the tournament is never easy, coming here as the defending champion could be even tougher,” Alcaraz said.
Carlitos in control 🙌#RolandGarros https://t.co/xPDf7K4bfL pic.twitter.com/KMTy8WrZwO
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2025
“But I just started pretty well, and kept my good pace during the whole match. I tried to be focused on my game, to get a good rhythm.
“I’m just really proud of my start here at Roland Garros, where I was really excited to play my first match this year.”
Runner-up in 2022 and 2023, Casper Ruud thumped qualifier Albert Ramos Vinolas 6-3 6-4 6-2 in his first round clash.
Navarro stunned
Fifth seed Iga Swiatek and Emma Raducanu set up a meeting with each other for the second consecutive major tournament. Swiatek battled back from a 1-3 deficit in the second set to win begin her title defence with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Rebecca Sramkova.
“I didn’t really think about [the Australian Open] match, honestly. I was thinking about our Stuttgart match, and I think we played another time on clay after — I’m not sure. I’m not good at that,” Swiatek said after her win.
“But I don’t really take a lot from that except the experience and … knowing how she plays. But Melbourne and Roland Garros [are] totally different surfaces, different stories. I’ll prepare tactically as I should before a clay court match, and that’s it.”
Raducanu defeated Wang Xinyu 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in two hours and 44 minutes but World No. 9 Emma Navarro slumped to a shocking 6-0, 6-1 defeat to the 68th ranked Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
Twelfth seed Elena Rybakina battled hard to down qualifier Julia Riera 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.
Carlos Alcaraz began his French Open title defence with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over qualifier Giulio Zeppieri Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
