The Murcia player, ranked second in the ATP and winner of the Masters 1,000 in Monte Carlo and Rome, picked up his 16th win in 17 matches on clay this season against Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, in just one hour and 56 minutes.

“I was very, very solid. The first round is never easy, coming back here to defend the title can be even tougher. But I started really well and kept my rhythm throughout the match. I tried to focus on my game and have a good rhythm,” explained the 22-year-old from Murcia.

Carlos Alcaraz, who could become the first player to defend his title at the Philippe-Chatrier since compatriot Rafael Nadal in 2019 and 2020, will continue his quest in Paris against Hungarian Fabian Marozsan (56th ATP), with whom he is level on points (1-1).