Alcaraz Set to Clash with Marozsan, Swiatek Faces Raducanu

PARIS: In a stylish commencement to his title defense, Carlos Alcaraz secured a straight-sets victory against Giulio Zeppieri. Similarly, Iga Swiatek dominated Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova during the initial round of the French Open at Roland Garros on Sunday.

Alcaraz triumphed over Zeppieri of Italy with scores of 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, thereby advancing to the second round of the prestigious tournament.

The defending champion efficiently managed the match against the Italian player, paving the way for his upcoming face-off with Fabian Marozsan from Hungary.

Alcaraz acknowledged the inherent challenges of commencing a Grand Slam, emphasizing his focused approach to the game.

Alcaraz’s Statement

“It was a really stable performance. The first round of a Grand Slam is never easy, especially when returning as the defending champion,” Alcaraz stated.

“My start was strong, and I maintained a consistent pace throughout the match. I concentrated on my gameplay to establish a solid rhythm. I am very pleased with my start here at Roland Garros.”

Meanwhile, in the women’s division, Polish sensation Swiatek also initiated her title defense successfully, achieving a 6-3, 6-3 win against Sramkova. This victory showcased her renewed form after a nearly year-long period without a trophy.

Despite well-documented struggles since her French Open victory in 2024, Swiatek exhibited aggressive play, breaking her opponent’s serve four times during the match.

Swiatek conveyed her satisfaction post-victory, affirming her contentment with her performance.

Swiatek’s Statement

“I understood the need to remain proactive and leverage my strengths. I am pleased with my performance, and it was a consistent match,” Swiatek remarked.

Swiatek is scheduled to compete against Emma Raducanu, a former U.S. Open champion, in the subsequent round. Raducanu previously defeated Wang Xinyu of China with a score of 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.