Djokovic Pulls Away From Fucsovics, Alcaraz Wins Again At French Open; Monfils Withdraws

After a few days of crazy results, things settled down at the French Open for the start of the second round.

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas all cruised into the third round.

Djokovic had a tough first set with Marton Fucsovics then rolled to a 7-6(7-2), 6-0, 6-3 win. Djokovic improves to 5-0 against the Hungarian as he advances to the second round in Paris for an 18th straight time.

“I’m very happy with the match, I had a lot of intensity throughout the first set, which was difficult for me,” Djokovic said on court. “I hope that I amused you, especially in the first set. It wasn’t enjoyable for me, but after it, now I can say, I enjoyed it.”

Alcaraz was on during the day and the Spaniard played a wobbly second set but was otherwise untroubled in a 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Taro Daniel.

“Taro was playing great. He is a really tough player and this year he has won matches against great players,” Alcaraz said. “The conditions were tough and it was really, really tough, but you have to adjust your game as best as you can. I was really focused on every shot. I played a great level and happy with the win.”

The 20-year-old Alcaraz is now 32-3 on the season.

Former finalist Tsitsipas eased past Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 7-6(7-4), 6-2 for his 51st career win in a Grand Slam.

“I like the bounces and the way the ball when it is sunny like this,” Tsitsipas said. “There were a few instances this year where it rained a little bit and did not suit me as much, but I really enjoy sunny days like this.”

In the big match of the day, Thanasi Kokkinakis held off former champion Stan Wawrinka 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7(4-7), 6-3 in a second straight 4.5 hour marathon for the Swiss.

Wawrinka said afterward he hopes to keep going and playing a full season next year.

“One of the big reasons why I keep playing is to live these emotions,” Wawrinka said.

“I think it was special today, to be here again, a lot of support, a lot of fans here,” he said. “It helped me a lot to stay in the match and to keep fighting for it.”

Elsewhere, Russians Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov marched on.

Rublev, seeded No. 7, got by the pesky Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. The 11th-seeded Khachanov routed Moldova’s Radu Albot 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

Hubert Hurkacz came back on Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 5-7, 6-7(13-15), 7-6(7-5), 6-4. 17th-seeded Lorenzo Musetti breezed by Russia’s Alexander Shevchenko 6-1, 6-1, 6-2. Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas upended 19th-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut 1-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1. Austria’s Sebastian Ofner eliminated the 24th-seeded Sebastian Korda i6-3, 7-6(7-1), 6-4.

The 26th-seeded Denis Shapovalov toppled Matteo Arnaldi 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. No. 29 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina topped French teen Luca Van Assche 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(8-6). Italian veteran Fabio Fognini handled Australia’s Jason Kubler 6-4, 7-6(7-5), 6-2. Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman sent off Nuno Borges in straights 7-6(7-3), 6-4, 6-3. and No. 14 seed Cameron Norrie eliminated French qualifier Lucas Pouille in three sets 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.

The second round closes up tomorrow with 2022 finalist Casper Ruud battling qualifier Giulio Zeppieri, No. 8 Jannik Sinner meets Daniel Altmaier, No. 9 Taylor Fritz clashes with Arthur Rinderknech, No. 12 Frances Tiafoe will meet Aslan Karatsev, No. 15 Borna Coric faces Pedro Cachin, No. 16 Tommy Paul draws Nicolas Jarry and No. 22 Alexander Zverev battles Alex Molcan.

The Zverev-Molcan match will be featured at night on Chatrier after Gael Monfils withdrew from his match with Holger Rune due to a left wrist injury.

“Physically, I’m quite fine,” Monfils stated. “I was quite happy this morning. I woke up quite good. But I had the problem with my wrist that I cannot solve.

“The doctor says it was not good to play with that type of injury. Yesterday was actually very risky, and then today definitely [he] say I should stop.”

THURSDAY FRENCH OPEN SCHEDULE
Court Philippe-CHATRIER – Début à 11h45
Giulio ZEPPIERI (ITA) contre Casper RUUD (NOR)[4]
Iga SWIATEK (POL)[1] contre Claire LIU (USA)
Oceane DODIN (FRA) contre Ons JABEUR (TUN)[7]

Pas avant 20h15
Alexander ZVEREV (GER)[22] contre Alex MOLCAN (SVK)

Court Suzanne-LENGLEN – Début à 11h00
Elena RYBAKINA (KAZ)[4] contre Linda NOSKOVA (CZE)
Jannik SINNER (ITA)[8] contre Daniel ALTMAIER (GER)
Julia GRABHER (AUT) contre Coco GAUFF (USA)[6]
Arthur RINDERKNECH (FRA) contre Taylor FRITZ (USA)[9]