26-05-2025
French Open Day 2: Title defenders Swiatek and Alcaraz both open strong
Defending champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz both opened their French Open campaigns with commanding wins, cruising to straight-set victories on Roland Garros' iconic red clay courts. 'It was really, really solid,' Alcaraz said about his opening performance. "Really proud about my start."
Iga Swiatek, who has struggled lately, and Carlos Alcaraz, who has not, got off to good starts in their French Open title defences Monday, recording straight-set victories to reach the second round.
Swiatek was up first in Court Philippe-Chatrier and defeated 42nd-ranked Rebecca Sramkova 6-3, 6-3. Swiatek compiled 25 winners and 17 unforced errors in the 1-hour, 24-minute contest.
Alcaraz needed only about a half-hour more than that for a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Giulio Zeppieri, an Italian qualifier who is ranked 310th. Alcaraz won all 14 of his service games, saving the three break points he faced, at Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
'It was really, really solid,' Alcaraz said. 'Really proud about my start.'
Alcaraz is seeded No. 2 behind Jannik Sinner — who was scheduled to play Monday night — and is coming off a clay-court title at the Italian Open a little more than a week ago. Alcaraz beat Sinner in the final there.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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