Alcaraz, Swiatek Qualify For French Open Second Round

Defending Champion Carlos Alcaraz began his title defence with a resounding 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri to qualify for the second round of the French Open.

Alcaraz produced a dominant display to breeze past Zeppieri while winning the three straight sets.

He is now on an eight-match winning streak at the French Open.

Alcaraz, who is one of the favourites to win the tournament, was delighted to begin his defence with a victory.

He said: “The first round is never easy, and coming here as a champion is even more difficult.

“But I started well, found my rhythm, and I’m happy with my start.”

World number four, Taylor Fritz suffered a disappointing exit following a 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-1 to German world number 47 Daniel Altmaier.

Fritz reached the French Open fourth round in 2024 but has lost four of his seven matches on clay this year.

World number seven Casper Ruud recorded a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over veteran Spanish qualifier Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

In the women’s category, Iga Swiatek earned a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova to qualify for the second round of the French Open on Monday.

She will now take on Emma Raducanu, who defeated China’s Wang Xinyu 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in the second round.

In a shocking result, Naomi Osaka suffered a disappointing 6-7 (1/7), 6-1, 6-4 loss to 10th seed Paula Badosa in a tense three-set battle.

Elena Rybakina battled past Julia Riera 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, two days after lifting her first WTA title since April 2024 in Strasbourg.

Emma Navarro suffered an embarrassing 6-0, 6-1 loss to world number 68 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in just 57 minutes to crash out of the tournament.

Alcaraz, Swiatek Qualify For French Open Second Round is first published on The Whistler Newspaper