Carlos Alcaraz decisively defeated Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri in three sets at the start of Roland Garros - 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, in nearly two hours of play.

Alcaraz, last year's champion and the main favorite for the men's trophy, was supposed to start the defense of his title in the French capital with a duel against Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori, but the 35-year-old Asian withdrew from the competition. His place was taken by Zeppieri, who had two break points in Alcaraz's first service game, but failed to capitalize on them. The more distinguished of the two tennis players took the initiative after a break in the fourth game, which turned out to be enough to win the set. In the second set, one break was again all the Spaniard needed - this time it came in the seventh game. This seemed to completely break the 310th ranked player's spirit, who allowed two more breaks in the third set.

Alcaraz finished with 3 aces and 4 double faults, but saved the three break points against his opponent and ended the match with a positive balance of winners - unforced errors, at 31-23. Thus, the second seed in the schedule, champion of Monte Carlo and Rome, will play in the next round with Fabian Marozsán from Hungary.

Seventh seed Casper Ruud, a two-time finalist in Paris, also did not lose a set in his match with the qualifier from Spain Albert Ramos-Vinolas - 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Victories were also achieved by Sebastian Korda, Hugo Gaston, Miomir Kecmanovic, Alexei Popyrin and Alejandro Tabilo. | BGNES