Carlos Alcaraz launched the Defense of his title Roland Garros in commanding fashion on Monday, May 26, and in the first round of men’s singles, Italian qualifier Giulio Zepperi in direct sets. World No. 2 created a clinical procedure that defeated Zepperi 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in less than two hours in the court Suzanne Lenglen.
Meanwhile, the former US Open champion Emma Raducan fought through an exhausting three hundred to reach the second round of women’s singles for the second time in her career at the French Open. The Brit was pushed at the limit of Chinese Xinyu Wang in a marathon clash lasting two hours and 44 minutes.
Alcaraz looked tight under control throughout the opening and showing his trademark and accuracy against the left -wing Zepieri. Despite the Italian showing the occasional flashes of the brilliance before the living crowd, he was not a struggle for the ruling consistency and court craft.
The 21 -year -old Spaniard, who is widely considered a man who defeated in Paris, admitted that he had felt a touch of nerves as he entered the court to prevent the title of Grand Slam for the first time in his career. Alcaraz headed for Roland Garros after winning the Masters in Rome last week.
“The first round of the tournament is never easy and comes here because the defending champion is even harder,” Alcaraz said after the match. “But I started quite well and continued on a good pace. I focused on my game and tried to find a solid rhythm.”
He added, “I’m really proud of my beginning here in Roland Garros – I was really excited that I could play my first match this year.”
Alcaraz will face the World No. 56 Fabian Marozsan in the second round. The Hungarian manifested a promising appearance on the clay during the European swings of this season.
Raducan vs Swiatlek in the 2nd round
Raducan had to fight hard to get her place of the second round, eventually overcame Wang 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. The 21-year-old began clearly and lost the first set, but in the second he lost momentum when Wang mounted a comeback. In the Raducan referees he rediscovered his rhythm and closed the match with peace.
Victory sets the oral watering of the second round against the world no. 1 and it depends on. It will be a strict test for Raducan, which reached the third round of the Australian Open at the beginning of this year and continues to build dynamics on its return to form.
Swiatle holds a 2-0 head record to the head against the raducan on the dirt, both of which come in direct sets. The British will eagerly turn the script as they face one of the most dominant players on the surface.
Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
26. May 2025
