14:12
Bonzi – Zverev 1:2
The Frenchman’s forehand cross flies very thin out of bounds and Alexander Zverev manages to keep his serve game clean for the second time in a row.
2:10 p.m
Bonzi – Zverev 1:1
Zverev was lucky there. He lets Bonzi’s high, short ball tick instead of taking it straight out of the air and then chooses the wrong side. Bonzi is ready, but still moves his backhand longline into the double court. With a strong volley, Zverev quickly takes a 40-0 lead.
2:09 p.m
Bonzi – Zverev 1:1
But when the score is 30:30, Bonzi does everything right. First it’s a mistake by Zverev, then a perfectly placed forehand cross by the world number 95, which lands exactly in the far corner.
2:06 p.m
Bonzi – Zverev 0:1
Zverev is actually doing everything right. He decides on the longline ball, which Bonzi doesn’t immediately guess. He gets to the ball with his backhand slice, then hits the edge of the net and the ball lands at the German. In the ensuing rally, the Frenchman clearly drilled his forehand into the net.
2:05 p.m
Bonzi – Zverev 0:1
Two more backhands from Bonzi miss their way into the field, so Zverev confidently starts the game with a clean sheet.
2:03 p.m
Bonzi – Zverev 0:0
Let’s go! Bonzi’s backhand cross becomes too long and brings Zverev his first point. Zverev then gets the second point for a 30-0 lead when he serves to the outside and, after returning, completes the ball longline into the free half of the court.
13:56
Players are there
The players have arrived at Court Philippe-Chatrier. Benjamin Bonzi wins the coin toss and chooses to return. Alexander Zverev will start this first round with his own serve.
13:42
Bencic is through
It’s done. Belinda Bencic moves into the second round with 6:2 and 6:3. The court is now free and the two protagonists of the men’s game are expected in a few minutes.
13:33
Slight delay
A little patience is still required because the Court Philippe-Chatrier is not yet free. Belinda Bencic and Sinja Kraus are currently there. It’s 6:2 and 5:2 for Bencic, who now wants to make her confident entry clear as quickly as possible.
13:24
Clear favorite role
Although both players have been on the tour for a long time, today is the first official meeting between Alexander Zverev and Benjamin Bonzi. But even without a direct comparison, a favorite is quickly identified. Alexander Zverev, currently number three in the world, is the clear contender for victory. Bonzi is currently number 95 in the world. The Frenchman has been able to win one title so far. The German can now look back on 24 successes.
13:14
Local hero is allowed to take part
Local hero Benjamin Bonzi can play today on the largest court in the complex, the Court Philippe-Chatrier. That alone will be a great experience for the 29-year-old, who usually has to play his way through the qualifications for major tournaments. Recently he has also been on the Challenger Tour from time to time. At the biggest of all clay court tournaments, Nicolas Mahut’s protégé hasn’t gone far yet. Bonzi only managed to survive the first round once in 2017 and 2020.
1:07 p.m
41st attempt for Zverev
At the 41st attempt, Alexander Zverev wants to do everything he can to win his first Grand Slam at the French Open. It is a success that the German number one is still waiting for. In 2022, the Hamburg native was well on his way when he showed impressive, high-class tennis in the semifinals against Rafael Nadal. However, his euphoria was curbed when he twisted his ankle on the court and tore several ligaments. Since then, Alexander Zverev has been back at the top of the world, but he is still missing the big coup. Could it be enough this time? The conditions are certainly not ideal. Zverev has not yet been able to win a title this year, even though he has regularly made it to at least the semi-finals. In the end he failed at the latest because of Jannik Sinner, who at the moment there is simply no way around. Since Carlos Alcaraz is missing due to an injury, Zverev can only meet the world number one in the final at the earliest.
1:00 p.m
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to the start of the French Open. Alexander Zverev is allowed to play today. His game against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi begins at around 1:30 p.m.
