Sawt Falasteen - Alcaraz on track at French Open after 'roller-coaster year'

The Spaniard struck 31 winners in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over world number 310 Zeppieri and will face Hungary's Fabian Marozsan in round two.

Alcaraz is the title favourite at Roland Garros after winning both the Monte Carlo Masters and Italian Open trophies this year on clay.

He has suffered some surprise defeats in 2024 as well, though, including to Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final, Jack Draper in the Indian Wells semi-finals and against David Goffin in his opening match in Miami.

"So far it's been a roller-coaster, let's say," Alcaraz said.

"But right now I think I found a really good path again, and I'm trying to have a really good level during the whole tournament or even during the whole match.

"So I think I'm just starting to get it, feeling more comfortable approaching the matches. Once I start the matches, I think I'm just keeping the high level in the whole match and during the whole tournament."

The four-time Grand Slam champion saved all three of the break points he faced against Zeppieri on Court Suzanne Lenglen as he cruised through in second gear.

Alcaraz is now on an eight-match winning streak at the French Open and also took Olympic silver at Roland Garros last year, losing the final to Novak Djokovic.

The 22-year-old was in attendance on Sunday as Court Philippe Chatrier waved an emotional goodbye to the retired Rafael Nadal.

Alcaraz has long been expected to take on the mantle of his illustrious compatriot, but says he finds it hard to fathom how Nadal won a record 14 French Open titles.

"It's something you can't think about... Just one man in the planet was able to do it, and I can't imagine," said the second seed.

"It was emotional yesterday, seeing him saying goodbye in the way he did yesterday was unbelievable."

Alcaraz beat world number 56 Marozsan at Indian Wells last year but lost their only previous meeting on clay at the 2023 Italian Open.

"I study my opponents a little bit. I know that Fabian likes to hit drop shots. So probably I'll put extra focus on that. I'm going to be ready for that... It's gonna be a dropshot battle, I guess."

T.Khatib--SF-PST