Alcaraz springs Roland Garros title defence into action

Carlos Alcaraz issued an early statement Monday that he remains the man to beat at Roland Garros.

The defending champion delivered a flashy first-round display to move past qualifier Giulio Zeppieri 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 at the clay-court major. Alcaraz, who is aiming to become the first man to successfully defend the title in Paris since Rafael Nadal in 2019-20, has now won 16 of his 17 tour-level matches on clay this year.

“It was really, really solid,” said Alcaraz. “The first round of the tournament is never easy, coming here as the defending champion could be even tougher. 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.”

Alcaraz claimed ATP Masters 1000 titles in Monte-Carlo and Rome before reclaiming the No. 2 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings a week ago. In Paris, the 22-year-old will continue his title defence in a second-round clash against Fabian Marozsan, with their Lexus ATP Head2Head series level at 1-1.

In his first round against Zeppieri, Alcaraz hit a series of stunning passing shots from all corners of the court, but was particularly clinical when advancing to the net, where he won 21 of 25 points, according to Infosys Stats. He also saved all three break points he faced during the one-hour, 56-minute clash.

Alcaraz now owns a standout 28-2 record on clay since last May, highlighted by his maiden Roland Garros title and a run to the silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024. The Spaniard has shown few signs of slowing down on the surface this year with memorable maiden triumphs in Monte-Carlo and Rome, where he soared past World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the final and improved to a 7-4 lead in their gripping Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry.

"Right now, I think I found a really good path again," said Alcaraz of his season. "I'm just starting to get it, feeling more comfortable approaching these matches. Once I start the matches, I'm just keeping the high level [throughout] the match and the whole tournament."

Alcaraz was forced to withdraw from the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid due to an adductor injury, and wore a brace around his knee during his title run in Rome. Yet he moved freely in his Roland Garros opener, during which he played with no strapping.

Former Roland Garros finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas recorded his eighth consecutive first-round victory by defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. The Greek No. 1 has set a meeting with Italian qualifier Matteo Gigante and could face Alcaraz in the fourth round.

Alcaraz owns a perfect 6-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head lead against Tsitsipas, having beaten the Greek in consecutive Roland Garros quarter-finals in 2023-24.

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Denis Shapovalov responded quickly to his opening-round defeat in Rome with an impressive 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 victory over Pedro Martinez. The 27th seed, who will next meet Buyunchaokete or Filip Misolic, could face three-time champion Novak Djokovic in the third round.

Richard Gasquet ensured that he won’t go down without a fight in his final tournament before hanging up his racquet. The 38-year-old Frenchman, who will retire at the conclusion of the event, defeated fellow wild card Terence Atmane 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Gasquet made his Roland Garros debut in 2002 and notably reached the quarter-finals in 2016. He will next meet top seed Sinner or countryman Arthur Rinderknech in the second round.