Strong start for Swiatek as Alcaraz wins opener

FRITZ, OSAKA, NAVARRO AMONG BIG NAMES TO FALL IN FIRST ROUND

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Carlos Alcaraz powered into the French Open second round yesterday with a resounding win to start his title defence, while three-time defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek also eased through at Roland Garros.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz struck 31 winners in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri and will face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in round two. Alcaraz is now on an eight-match winning streak at the French Open and also took Olympic silver at Roland Garros last year, losing the final to Novak Djokovic.

"The first round is never easy, and coming here as a champion is even more difficult," said the Spaniard, who has won both the Monte Carlo Masters and Italian Open titles on clay this year. "But I started well, found my rhythm, and I’m happy with my start."

Alcaraz beat world number one Jannik Sinner in straight sets in the Rome final just over a week ago as the Italian returned from a three-month doping ban.

Different atmosphere