Sinner swamps Frenchman to start Paris run

Title favourite Jannik Sinner began his Roland Garros campaign 6-1, 6-3, 6-4  over French wildcard Clement Tabur but needed five match points to move through.

Sinner is on a roll after winning Rome this month to complete a career sweep of all nine Masters events and is in the driving seat for his first French Open trophy.

He has now won 30 straight matches this season including 18 straight on clay in 2026

The Italian held three match points in the final a year ago here but lost to Carlos Alcaraz; the Spaniard is missing Paris this year with a wrist injury which will also keep him out of Wimbledon.

Sinner maintained a perfect record in the tournament first round, winning all seven he has played.

“I’m happy to be back, this is a very special place,” he said. “I have great memories overall. I’m out there trying to do my best.

“First rounds at the Grand Slams are never easy, but it is special to play my first match in a night session in front of a very fair crowd..”

The Italian rolled through the first two sets against an inexperienced opponent playing for the first time on a big stage.

But Sinner got bogged down in the second game of the third set before finally winning it for 1-1 as he closed in on victory, breaking for a 2-1 lead

Sinner kept up the pressure to disappoint local fans, but wasted three match points as Tabur held for 4-5.

The top seed prevailed a game later on his fifth chance as Tabur sent a return wide.