Alcaraz eases to victory in French Open title defence

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Alcaraz eases to victory in French Open title defence

Carlos Alcaraz has got the defence of his French Open title up and running with a straight-sets win over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri.

The 22-year-old Spaniard, looking for a second Roland Garros crown and a fifth grand slam title, won 6-3 6-4 6-2 in just under two hours on Monday.

Alcaraz was consigned to play on Court Suzanne-Longlen, presumably because he prefers not to play later in day, which he may have had to on the main court, Phillipe-Chatrier.

He also had to deal with a late change in opponent, having originally been drawn against former world No.4 Kei Nishikori.

“I think it was really, really solid,” he said. “The first round for every tournament is never easy and probably coming here as defending champion, it could be even tougher.

“But I just started pretty well, I kept my good pace during the match, which is great. I tried to be really focused on my game

“Hopefully I’ll keep going in the next round but I’m just really, really proud about my start here in Roland Garros.”

Former finalist Casper Ruud also got off to a flying start, the Norwegian seventh seed disposing of Spanish qualifier Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-3 6-4 6-2.

The first shock in the men’s draw saw world No.4 Taylor ****** knocked out by Daniel Altmaier.

American ****** lost 12 of the last 16 games against the ******* world number 47 in a 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-1 defeat.

******’s demise means Britain’s Jack Draper has climbed above him to fourth in the world in the live ATP rankings.

British No.2 Jacob Fearnley enjoyed a dream French Open debut with a straight-sets win over former champion Stan Wawrinka.

Fearnley, who was just three years old when Wawrinka made his first appearance at Roland Garros in 2005, won 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 6-2 in a little over two hours.

Wawrinka’s title came 10 years ago and now, aged 40, he is by no means the force he once was.

But this was still a major feather in Edinburgh-born Fearnley’s cap and with a dose of Scottish revenge for good measure – Wawrinka had knocked out Andy Murray in the opening round last year.

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