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Djokovic fights his way into round two
Novak Djokovic – Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5:7, 7:5, 6:1, 6:4
Novak Djokovic started the French Open with a hard-fought victory. The 39-year-old Serb defeated the French local hero Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (22) in just under three hours in the night session on the first day of the tournament with 5:7, 7:5, 6:1, 6:4 and will now face another Frenchman in Valentin Royer. Djokovic initially had a difficult time against the world number 83 – and not just because the audience loudly supported Mpetshi Perricard. In his 82nd Grand Slam participation, which should ideally bring him his 25th major victory, the fourth in the world rankings bit into the match.
Early exit for Hanfmann in Paris
Yannick Hanfmann – Hamad Medjedovic 3:6, 4:6, 7:6 (7:1), 4:6
Early exit for Yannick Hanfmann at the French Open: The German number two had to admit defeat to the Serbian Hamad Medjedovic in Paris on Sunday and missed his second place in the second round at the clay court event. The 34-year-old found it difficult from the start against his competitor, who was twelve years his junior, and defended himself in vain.
May 24, 2026 • 7:36 p.m
Korpatsch fights his way into round two
Tamara Korpatsch – Sara Sorribes Tormo 6:4, 6:2
The best stories often arise on the first days in Paris away from the big squares. Like Tamara Korpatsch’s. The Hamburg native, who turned 31 a few days ago, is in the second round of the French Open for only the second time in her career. Korpatsch defeated the Spanish Sara Sorribes Tormo in two sets on court number eight with 6:4 and 6:2.
In temperatures over 30 degrees, both players gave each other nothing, used the “moon ball” principle every now and then in particularly competitive rallies and had a real clay court fight. Korpatsch was the more active player, especially at the end of the first set, and also took risks more often in the decisive points in the second round. This was rewarded with a place in the second round.
May 24, 2026 • 7:25 p.m
Former winner Krejcikova already out after marathon match
Barbora Krejcikova – Hailey Baptiste 7:6, 6:7, 2:6
In 2021 she was able to lift the trophy on the sand of Paris, in 2026 it will be over after round one: Former French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova said goodbye again on the first day of the tournament. And that after a real marathon match against the American Hailey Baptiste. After almost three hours, the Czech score was: 7:6, 6:7 and 2:6.
Sets one and two in particular were extremely competitive and exciting. Krejcikova won the first tie-break 9:7, Baptiste won the second with a strong nerve 8:6. Only in the third round did it become clear and the American was finally able to celebrate.
May 24, 2026 • 4:28 p.m
Zverev with convincing French Open start
Alexander Zverev – Benjamin Bonzi 6:3, 6:4, 6:2
This is how you can start the French Open: Alexander Zverev made a convincing first appearance in Paris on Whit Sunday. The number two seed from Hamburg won his first round match against Benjamin Bonzi in three sets with 6:3, 6:4 and 6:2 in the midday heat on the opening day of the Grand Slam tournament and is now in the second round.
There was hardly ever too much tension in the game. The French helped their compatriot Bonzi as best they could, but the differences in play were too clear. Only in the second round, when Zverev received a quick re-break after a break, did things get briefly interesting. The Hamburg player showed his mental strength there too, got another break straight away and secured the set. At the beginning of the third set at the latest, when Zverev quickly took a 4-0 lead, the fair was over.
The Hamburger, who was able to save some energy in the two-hour game, now faces the Czech Tomas Machac in the second round. It is likely to be a more complicated game, Machac also won his first round game on Sunday in three sets. But if Zverev maintains his current form, it could be a successful tournament for him. “Bonzi is a great player, but I know that even better opponents will come my way as the tournament progresses. It is sometimes better to start slower in order to be able to improve over the course of the tournament,” explained the Hamburg player after the victory.
May 24, 2026 • 2:57 p.m
Gastrointestinal: Géa is racing First round game to the toilet
Arthur Géa – Karen Khachanov 3:6, 6:7, 0:6
Arthur Géa had just played a good 30 minutes in the first round at the French Open on the opening day when Arthur Géa had an all too human problem. The Frenchman was 1:4 behind against Karen Khachanov, the score was 40:40, when the Frenchman broke his serve. Géa had to go to the toilet. Urgent. Gastrointestinal – at the stupidest time. The problem: According to the rules, such a break is not allowed. So the pitiful local hero had to continue playing, and somehow managed to play his serve, immediately put his racket aside and sprinted into the catacombs.
Loses his first round match at the French Open – Arthur Gea
This problem was at least solved afterwards, but Géa was unable to solve the Karen Khachanov problem that day. Driven by the French audience, the 21-year-old fought back as best he could, especially in the second set, but he was unable to prevent the Russian from winning a clear three-set win (6:3, 7:6, 6:0), who is now in the second round.
May 24, 2026 • 1:28 p.m
Kostyuk gives in emotionally First round win
Marta Kostyuk – Oksana Selekhmeteva 6:2, 6:3
The French Open has begun, and the yellow felt balls are flying back and forth again at the facility in southwest Paris. Marta Kostyuk was the first to take part on the Simonne Mathieu court at 11 a.m. on Sunday. The Ukrainian faced the Spaniard Oksana Selekhmeteva and showed a highly concentrated and playfully appealing performance. After an hour and 18 minutes it was already 6:2 and 6:3 and Kostyuk was able to celebrate making it into the second round.
But tennis was secondary for Kostyuk that day. After the game, Kostyuk spoke emotionally about the Russian bombing raids on Kiev that night and impressively reported that it was one of the hardest matches of her career. “A rocket destroyed a building 100 meters from my parents’ house,” said the Ukrainian. “I was crying this morning and didn’t know how I was going to finish the match. Of course I’m happy to be in the second round, but today all my thoughts are on Ukraine.”
