Djokovic and Zverev Shine at French Open, Fritz Falls to Upset

Djokovic and Zverev are both determined to make the most of their chances in Paris this year with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz ruled out | Tennis News

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Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev kicked off their French Open campaigns with comfortable wins, but seventh seed Taylor Fritz became an early casualty. Djokovic, aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title, defeated Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5-7 7-5 6-1 6-4, while Zverev overcame Benjamin Bonzi 6-3 6-4 6-2.

Fritz, however, fell to unheralded compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy 7-6(5) 7-6(5) 6-7(9) 6-1 in a late afternoon match. The American conceded that Basavareddy's drop shots were 'crazy' and 'killed' him.

Other notable winners on the opening day included Russian Karen Khachanov, who downed French hope Arthur Gea, and 11th-seeded Swiss Belinda Bencic, who took out Sinja Kraus of Austria.