Back-to-back finalist Casper Ruud speeds past Felipe Meligeni Alves to open Roland Garros campaign

Casper Ruud has maintained his perfect record in the opening round of the French Open by defeating Felipe Meligeni Alves to reach Round Two at Roland Garros. The Norwegian ace who reached the final the previous two years will now have Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his sights.

Ruud who won the Geneva Open last week faced perhaps a significantly more easier test than he would've done had he face Jakub Mensik. But he still sped past the Brazilian 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 and now could face the Spaniard who Stefanos Tsitsipas bizarrely picked as his favourite for the tournament.

Ruud is one of the favourites for the title and has got matches under his belt too in the process. His record sits now at 13-2 at Roland Garros since 2022 with 12 of those wins either coming in three or four sets. Sealing the win in just under two hours, he could've had an easier first set staving off three break points en route to making it 3-3. He found a break next up though to make it 5-3. He eventually had to seal that though with Alves holding firm to deny him initially. But after staving off one break chance, Ruud finally got over the line 6-3.

The second set was a one break affair with Ruud sealing an opening break at 1-0 to continue on from the first set. There were no break point chances on either end for the rest of the set. The final set saw Ruud break serve at 2-1 and finally to claim it with the resolve of the Brazilian fading away as he barely laid a glove on Ruud's serve. Also through as the action continues under the roofs is Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The 28th seed saw off Arthur Cazaux.

It was more misery for the French after they lost Alize Cornet earlier. It was Cazaux who was defeated albeit by a top 30 star. He sealed it in over three hours 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in the end and will move through to face the winner of Arthur Rinderknech and Adam Walton. Significant as Ruud lies in wait likely in the third round.