Overview
- Novak Djokovic came from a set down to beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 on Sunday to reach the second round and record his first clay win of 2026.
- Second seed Alexander Zverev opened his campaign with a straight‑sets win over Benjamin Bonzi, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, and will face Tomas Machac next.
- High‑profile early exits included seventh seed Taylor Fritz losing to American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy and China’s Zheng Qinwen being ousted 6-4, 6-0 by qualifier Maja Chwalinska, while Gabriel Diallo retired ill in his match.
- Two notable pre‑tournament withdrawals—two‑time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz with a right‑wrist injury and home hopeful Arthur Fils with an injury—have materially altered the men’s draw and strengthened Jannik Sinner’s standing as a top favorite.
- Play has been held in sweltering conditions near 32–33°C and featured off‑court strains such as Marta Kostyuk saying a missile fell close to her family home in Kyiv on the morning of her match, factors that have contributed to early volatility in the field.