Second-seed Alexander Zverev had a comfortable start into the French Open on Sunday with a largely convincing 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over local player Benjamin Bonzi.
Zverev won six games in a row after dropping serve for the only time in the eighth game of the second set on the sun-drenched centre court en route to victory in 2 hours 8 minutes on second match point.
“Very good start to the tournament. It’s always nice to start with a straight-sets win, especially against Benjamin, who can cause a lot of problems to top players,” Zverev said in his on-court interview.
“All around, I think a good performance that I can build on. I have to build on it, but very happy with the start.”
The German is still searching for his first title at the majors. He was a three-time semi-finalist at Roland Garros and lost the 2024 final against Carlos Alcaraz.
However, in order to lift the trophy he will probably have to beat in-form Jannik Sinner who is on a 29-match win the streak and the overwhelming title favourite in the injury-related absence of twice reigning champion Alcaraz.
Alcaraz’ withdrawal promoted world number three Zverev to second seed and means he could not face Sinner until the June 7 final. Sinner has won the last nine matches against Zverev.
Zverev’s next opponent is Czech Tomas Machac as world number 95 Bonzi was no real match for him although the Frenchman fought well for at least two sets.
Zverev broke for 4-2 on a forehand error from Bonzi. He failed to close out the set two games later by wasting a pair of set points but then served out matters in the next game by succeeding on his fifth attempt on another Bonzi error.
The German broke again in the fifth game of the second set but it was all square again at 4-4 when Zverev committed his first double fault on Bonzi’s first break point of the match.
Zverev was however undeterred, broke again in the following game and also won the next five games to lead by two sets and 4-0. Bonzi finally got on the scoreboard but Zverev then got over the line when Bonzi hit a return long.
“In five-set matches in Grand Slams, there are always going to be ups and downs, especially in the beginning of tournaments,” Zverev said.
“You always have to stay focused, you always have to come back to yourself, play your best tennis. When he broke me in the second set, I broke him straight away.”