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French Open Opens With Early Shocks and Tearful Farewells

Alcaraz's withdrawal reshaped the draw, so emerging players have fresh chances while top seeds face immediate tests.

Overview

  • Novak Djokovic fought back from a set down to beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in four sets, keeping his pursuit of a 25th major alive after a tense opening-night match on Sunday.
  • Second seed Alexander Zverev advanced in straight sets under sweltering conditions, while several favorites fell early as the heat and fickle form affected play.
  • Seventh seed Taylor Fritz was upset by American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy, a result that highlighted how the opener has already produced major surprises.
  • Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk won her first-round match and said she learned before play that a missile had struck about 100 metres from her parents' home in Kyiv, a revelation that brought an emotional response on court.
  • Veteran Stan Wawrinka lost in what appears to be his final Roland Garros match and organizers noted pre-tournament changes such as Carlos Alcaraz's withdrawal that have widened title pathways for newcomers like Hamburg champion Ignacio Buse.